More Than A Favor

Chapter 95 Get 5> Menu Was Ashton captivated by my beauty? I had always thought his heart was as tough as his rugged exterior, immune to such charms. But it seemed the saying about men being visual creatures held struth after all.

Even though I knew I had his attention, I deliberately ran my fingers through my wavy hair, letting it cascade over one shoulder.

His eyes darkened, and his expression beccolder. I couldn't figure out why his mood had shifted so suddenly, nor did I care enough to guess.

I cut straight to the point. "So, are you going to agree to my proposal, Mr. Drake?" "What?" His gaze had already shifted away from me.

I chuckled lightly.

Was he pretending not to hear me? Or had he suddenly developed selective amnesia? "Be my boyfriend. Temporarily," I repeated, reminding him of what I had asked the night before.

Ashton didn't respond immediately. His eyes were fixed on something in the distance.

Following his gaze, I noticed the Ferris wheel slowly turning, its cabins rising higher and higher. Victor had mentioned that Logan planned to propose to me. Could the Ferris wheel be part of his plan? I squinted, trying to spot anything unusual at the top of the ride.

Just then, Ashton spoke, his voice low and steady. "What do you mean by temporary?" "I mean, be my boyfriend just until Logan's obsession withdies down. After that, we go back to being... nothing." I felt a pang of guilt as I laid out the terms. It felt wrong to reduce Ashton to a tool for my plan, especially knowing how he felt about me.

After swallowing hard, I rephrased my explanation. "We wouldn't actually be dating. It's just for show- to make Logan think we're together." "And why should I agree to that?" Ashton asked, his tone calm but firm.

I avoided his gaze, suddenly feeling awkward. I wouldn't have even asked if it weren't for Nora's endless urging last night and Logan's increasingly erratic behavior.

A breeze tousled my hair, and I brushed it aside before continuing, "Because you're the most suitable person for the role, and..." I hesitated.

I wanted to be honest about why I thought he was perfect for this, but bringing up his past confession -that he wanted to marryand had feelings for me-felt manipulative.

"And?" Ashton prodded, his piercing gaze unwavering.

I smiled sheepishly. "Nothing." "You were going to say I mentioned wanting to marry you and that I have feelings for you, weren't 15:26 29.38% you?" he stated bluntly, cutting through my hesitation like a knife.

Get 5> Menu Realizing there was no point in pretending, I met his eyes directly. "Yes. So, will you agree?" Ashton stared at me, his expression unreadable. His silence stretched on, and under his steady gaze, my heart began to race. I felt a flush creeping up my neck and spreading to my cheeks.

Was this his way of silently rejecting me? Trying to break the tension and save face, I ran my fingers through my hair again and said lightly, "If you don't want to, just forget I said anything." I turned to leave, but Ashton's hand shot out, blocking my path.

"I'll agree," he said.

I froze, looking up at him in surprise.

"But only if it's real,” he added, his voice calm but resolute.

I lifted my eyes to meet his, and the intensity in his gaze caughtoff guard.

"Elaine," he continued, "I won't be your temporary boyfriend. I want to be your real boyfriend. If things don't work out, we can break up. But I won't be spretend boyfriend, just a prop for the show." His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.

Ashton stood tall, his sharp features and piercing eyes radiating determination. There was an unmistakable authority in his voice, an unyielding resolve that left no room for negotiation.

This wasn't a man who would let himself be used.

I had only wanted him for appearances, a way to get Logan off my back, but Ashton wanted something genuine. That was absolutely out of the question.

**)15:26 Get 5% Menu "What?" I was stunned for a moment before I blurted out angrily, "Has he completely lost his mind?” "Ms. Hart, Mr. Mercer has indeed been acting irrationally lately," Victor said, his tone apologetic.

As he spoke, it becclear tothat everything-the wedding dresses, the rings-was orchestrated by Logan. Victor had simply been following his orders.

"What is he trying to do? Makehate him even more?" I asked, frustration bubbling over.

Victor hesitated before replying, "Elaine, I really don't know what Mr. Mercer is thinking. But one thing is clear-he doesn't want to lose you. He loves you." "Victor," I said coldly, "it's one thing for others to say that, but how can you say it? Do you honestly believe he loves me?" Victor fell silent, unable to answer.

"If he wants to act crazy, let him. I'm not going to play along with his games," I said firmly.

"Ms. Hart, I've been blaming myself for how things ended between you and Mr. Mercer. If it weren't for me, the two of you might not have reached this point," Victor admitted, his voice filled with guilt.

"Mr. Langston, I'm actually grateful to you," I said calmly. "If it weren't for that incident, I might not have had the courage to end things with Logan." I paused before continuing, "But you should know-our breakup wasn't because of just one incident. It had been coming for a long time." "But I was the one who delivered the final blow," Victor said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I've already said what I needed to say, Victor. If you still want to blyourself, that's your choice. But if Logan fires you because of this, then leave. You're more than capable of finding a better job somewhere else," I reassured him.

Victor hesitated. "Ms. Hart, have you found a new job yet?" "I believe I'll manage," I replied vaguely, not wanting to give him-or Logan-any information that could complicate things.

Logan's behavior had becunpredictable, and I didn't want him finding out about my new position.

After ending the call, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I couldn't believe Logan had gone so far as to plan a public proposal. It was tto crush whatever lingering hope he had left.

My thoughts drifted to Ashton. Remembering our conversation from the night before, I decided to text him: "I'm sober now. When can we talk?" There was no immediate response. It was still early, and he was probably busy with work.

I set my phone aside and tried to shake off the lingering frustration. After a quick shower, I decided to visit my parents' grave-a place I hadn't been to in a while.

When I arrived at the cemetery, I noticed something unusual. A bouquet of daisies sat by the tombstone, their petals wilted but not yet completely dried.

The flowers looked like they had been left within the past two weeks.

15:26 29.69% < Chapter 95 Get 5 Menu It puzzled me. My parents had passed away over a decade ago, and apart from Ethan, Tessa, and me, no one else ever visited their graves.

Had Ethan and Tessa been here recently? But if they had, why hadn't Tessa mentioned it? I carefully set the daisies aside and placed the lilies I had brought-my mom's favorite flowers-in their place.

As I looked at the youthful faces etched on the tombstone, a familiar ache resurfaced in my chest. Yet, I managed to smile.

"Mom, Dad," I whispered, “have you missed me? I've been dreaming about you a lot lately.

| "Mom, Dad, Logan and I broke up. I'm sorry I couldn't fulfill your wishes-or his parents' wishes-for us to marry.

"But you didn't just wantto keep a promise, right? You wantedto be happy, didn't you?" I sat in front of their grave for over an hour, pouring my heart out.

When I finally got up to leave, I picked up the wilted daisies and stared at them. These weren't lilies. They were daisies.

For as long as I could remember, whenever Ethan, Tessa, Logan, and I cto visit, we always brought lilies because my mom loved them.

So, who had left these daisies here? The question gnawed at me. Could it have been one of my parents' old friends?

I quickly dismissed the idea. Ethan and Tessa had chosen this cemetery, and no one else had attended my parents' burial. Their friends wouldn't even know where they were buried. The mystery deepened, leavingwith an inexplicable feeling of unease.

Unable to shake the questions from my mind, I decided to call Tessa.

"Elaine!" Tessa exclaimed cheerfully as she answered the phone. "I was just about to call you." Her enthusiastic tone caughtoff guard. "Tessa, is there something you need from me?" "Ethan's birthday is coming up," she said. “You'll join us, right?" Her question madepause. I had completely forgotten about Ethan's birthday.

Even so, I wouldn't have missed it. I had always kept track of the Mercer family's birthdays, making sure to prepare gifts and well wishes in advance.

While I wasn't entirely dependent on them, I had always tried to stay in their good graces.

"Elaine, you know we've always om treated you like family," Tessa continued warmly "Ethan cherishes the thoughtful gifts you've given him every year. If you miss this birthday, it'll break his heart." Her words felt like gentle pressure, coaxinginto agreeing.

I hesitated, knowing Logan might use the occasion as an excuse to pull something outrageous.

But Tessa wasn't someone who took no for an answer.

"Tessa, I'll be there," I said finally, reassuring her.

15:26 29.61% < Chapter 95 Get 5 > Menu “That's a relief,” she replied, sounding genuinely happy. "I was worried you might not come. It wouldn't be the swithout you." Her words only added to my unease.

"Elaine, has Logan been bothering you?" she asked suddenly. "Ethan and I gave him a good talking-to about his behavior." I couldn't help but smile bitterly. Clearly, they had no idea about Logan's recent antics. Or perhaps they were pretending not to know.

"No, he hasn't," I lied, knowing it wouldn't help to tell her the truth Even if she scolded Logan again, it wouldn't stop him. Only I could put an end to this. "Elaine, if Logan gives you trouble or does something unreasonable, callright away," Tessa said firmly.

"I will," I promised.

After a brief pause, Tessa asked, "Elaine, why did you call? Is there something you need?" Glancing at the wilted daisies in my hand, I decided to ask directly.