Chapter 101: The One You Clearly Like Is Me
Asher looked back. Leah hurried over, hesitating for a moment before saying softly, "You... don’t get physical."
After all, the look in Asher’s eyes as he stood up was nothing like someone going to meet an old flame. She had been right there and had seen the coldness that flashed in his eyes the moment he rose.
The corners of Asher’s lips curved up. He lowered his head and gave her a quick kiss. "I don’t hit women."
Leah felt a little embarrassed being kissed in front of so many people, and her face flushed slightly. Asher gave her cheek a light pinch before heading to the private room next door. Worried that Asher might be at a disadvantage, Ethan Shaw left Leah with Riley Sterling and followed.
Asher entered the private room to find Madeline Sterling sobbing uncontrollably on another woman’s shoulder. He glanced around the room and casually sat down on a sofa. "Alright, what do you want?"
Morgan Sterling sat down beside him with a smile. "It’s not convenient to talk out here. Shall we go to the inner room?"
"No need."
Asher lit a cigarette, staying put. At a signal from Morgan, the other people in the room started talking about going downstairs to dance. Soon, only four people were left: Asher, Morgan, Madeline, and Ethan.
When Madeline Sterling saw Asher, she immediately rushed over, grabbing his arm and refusing to let go. "Asher, why are you treating me like this?"
Tears streamed down her face, and she reeked of alcohol. Asher frowned and pulled his arm away. "If you have something to say, then say it. I’m with someone now."
"Is she worthy? A hostess from Azure Bay? The only reason you even look at her is because she looks a little like me and managed to climb into your bed! What right does she have? She’s not worthy! She’s not even fit to carry your shoes!" Madeline’s voice dripped with resentment, her once-beautiful almond eyes now filled with pure venom.
Asher’s gaze turned icy. Just as he was about to speak, Ethan couldn’t listen anymore. "Madeline, don’t talk about Leah like that. She only went to Azure Bay because..."
"What does this have to do with you? What right do you have to talk! If Asher hadn’t taken you and that brat Riley Sterling under his wing, what would either of you be? It’s not your place to speak here!"
Madeline whirled around and screamed at Ethan, her delicate features twisting into a snarl. Although Morgan had warned her before she came, the more she stewed on it, the angrier and more wronged she felt. Coupled with the large amount of alcohol she’d consumed, she had lost all restraint.
"Madeline!"
Morgan’s eyes narrowed. ’She could say whatever she wanted about Leah, but dragging Ethan and Riley into it was a different story.’
’In the past two years, as Asher’s influence grew, Ethan and Riley had risen with him. Right now, the Shaw Family and Riley’s side of the Sterling family were both gaining serious momentum.’
"You! Fine! The Sterling Family is so big and powerful. You’re all so impressive, so high and mighty! Riley and I aren’t even worthy of speaking to you, is that it? Well, let me tell you why Asher wants Leah and not you!"
"Leah’s status may not be high, but she knows her place and acts accordingly! Before she got together with Asher, she liked him, but she never deluded herself into thinking they had to be together. I was worried she was getting in too deep and tried to warn her. She told me that as long as Asher didn’t cast her aside, she was willing to stay. If he got tired of her, she’d walk away on her own two feet!"
"There was a misunderstanding, and she thought Asher didn’t want her anymore. She didn’t want to cause him any trouble, so even though she was a complete wreck, she left without a single complaint! And you? Don’t think we don’t know what your family was spouting all over town a few years back. You made sure everyone in Riverfall knew Asher was chasing you, but the great Eldest Miss Sterling couldn’t be bothered!"
"Asher let it slide because you’re a woman. But for the past two years, as he’s become more powerful, you’ve been parading around claiming to be his girlfriend, bullying any girl who shows interest in him. You’re always telling people you slept with him. So what if you did? It was consensual, wasn’t it? Why do you have to keep bringing it up? Have you no shame?!"
"And another thing! Let me tell you, for all of us who follow Asher—whether it’s me and Riley, or the guys in our crew who have even less status than Leah—she has never, not once, made us feel like we’re beneath her!"
Ethan stood up, his fists clenched tightly. He delivered his tirade all in one breath, giving Madeline no time to react, before turning furiously to leave.
"Ian! Madeline’s had too much to drink. Don’t pay her any mind. I’ll chew her out later."
Morgan quickly stood up to block his path. ’If Ethan storms out like this, Riley is sure to come over and raise hell. I have a project with Riley’s family right now; I can’t let this mess it up.’
Ethan glanced back. Ultimately, he didn’t feel right about leaving Asher here alone, so he sat back down. But his face was a cold mask, and he didn’t say another word.
In fact, after her outburst and hearing Morgan snap at her, Madeline was beginning to feel a pang of regret.
’Ethan and Riley had always been part of Asher’s circle. She had never thought much of either of them, but Asher was fiercely protective of his people, so she had always been polite to them on the surface. In her heart, though, she never considered them important. To put it bluntly, she completely looked down on them.’
But she didn’t dare say anything more now. All she could do was cry pitifully. The room fell silent, the only sound being Madeline’s intermittent sobs.
Asher stubbed out his cigarette and looked at Madeline, his expression detached. "She’s nothing like you. Stop deluding yourself into thinking she’s just riding your coattails. I like her. I like her for who she is."
"No, you’re lying, Asher! The one you like is me! You... you told me you liked me before! You can’t possibly like her!" Madeline grabbed his hand, aggrieved, as tears streamed endlessly from her eyes.
"I made this perfectly clear to you years ago. Saying I liked you was just a joke at the time. I’ve made all the necessary apologies and amends since then. If you’re still not clear, I’ll say it again: I have never, ever liked you."
After saying this, Asher stood up and walked toward the door.
"Asher Keating! Do you have to be so cruel to me? Aren’t you afraid..." Madeline shot to her feet, screaming hysterically.
"Afraid you’ll expose me?" Asher looked back, a sneer on his face as he pointed to a bottle on the table. "That you’ll say I’m a heartless beast? Or that I’m fickle? If I’m not mistaken, that bottle in front of where I was sitting... it has a pinhole camera in it, doesn’t it?"
Startled, Ethan snatched the bottle. Sure enough, a tiny camera was hidden right there. "HOLY SHIT! You guys are fucking shady."
Seeing her plan was exposed, all the color drained from Madeline’s face. She clenched her jaw, unable to speak for a long moment.
Asher took out his phone and waggled it at her, his gaze chilling. "If you ever dare say another word about her, or lay a hand on her—or on Ethan and Riley, for that matter—I wouldn’t mind letting your tens of millions of fans see what kind of person you really are."
"Asher, an argument is one thing," Morgan said, "but recording it? That’s going too far, don’t you think?"
Morgan’s gaze turned cold as well. He hadn’t expected Asher to actually record their conversation; he had no idea when he’d even turned on his phone’s recorder.