Chapter 112
Chapter 112:
Ashton’s surprise grew as he hastened his steps, pushing Selena’s wheelchair swiftly back toward the venue. Upon reentering, the buzz of conversation immediately reached his ears.
“Why have a masquerade ball right after a charity concert? It seems we’re not the highlight of the evening p>
“Exactly, and guess what? The Skyline Group sent none other than Charlie Arnold, their CEO, to represent them. That’s quite significant p>
“There’s been a lot of activity from the Campbell family lately. Seems they’ve got ties with the Skyline Group. Tonight’s event is no ordinary affair p>
Ashton’s brow furrowed as he caught snippets of these exchanges. Skyline Group?
The name lingered in the air, heavy with significance. While the Campbell family was a formidable force in Inewood, their influence paled in comparison to that of the Skyline Group. This corporation dominated the local economy, leading in several industries.
Even Bruce, the patriarch of the Campbell family, had to show deference to Charlie. And now, with Charlie’s arrival at the party, he instantly became the center of attention. Young heirs of wealthy families flocked around him, each hoping to gain favor, contributing to the earlier stir at the event.
Rosalie, who had organized the gathering, appeared slightly flustered by Charlie’s presence. She had extended the invite to the Skyline Group on her father’s orders, never anticipating that the CEO himself would make an appearance.
The crowd at the event buzzed with either excitement or shock as Charlie entered, greeting him with open arms and bright smiles.
Meanwhile, Ashton’s face remained stoic and unyielding, observing Charlie receiving accolades from the gathering. His frosty demeanor wasn’t driven by personal animosity toward Charlie. Rather, it stemmed from the fact that the Skyline Group belonged to the influential Baldwin family.
Charlie, the CEO, had been dispatched by the Baldwin family to oversee Ashton’s activities.
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Two years earlier, Ashton had married into the James family, a lesser-known clan in Inewood, driven by his deep gratitude toward Emalee, who had once saved his life.
The Baldwin elders had always viewed any alliance with the James family as beneath them, and they especially disapproved of Ashton reducing himself to a househusband. Unsurprisingly, this led to a heated clash within his family. Furious, the Baldwin elders stripped Ashton of his inheritance and severed all familial ties.
Mulling over these memories, Ashton sighed to himself as he looked at Charlie. In hindsight, he realized the elders might have had a point. The person for whom he had sacrificed everything had ultimately cast him aside like a useless piece of debris, leaving no chance for mending their broken relationship. It was a cruel twist of fate.
As Ashton lost himself in thought, Charlie, surrounded by admirers, half-heartedly accepted their praises while his eyes roamed the room. Spotting Ashton behind the crowd, his eyes brightened.
“Excuse me, everyone. I need to handle something urgent,” Charlie announced, weaving through the crowd to reach Ashton swiftly.
The onlookers noticed Charlie’s purposeful march and speculated about who could be so significant to warrant the Skyline Group CEO’s immediate attention. Their curiosity spiked as they traced Charlie’s path, only to watch him stop before Ashton.
Ashton, already notable for his impressive dance with Rosalie, was recognized by most. However, his next action left them dumbfounded.
Facing Charlie, Ashton didn’t shower him with adoration like the others did; instead, he averted his gaze, showing marked disinterest. This apparent disregard for such a prominent figure caught everyone off guard, especially Fraser, who had been observing from a distance. Earlier, just as he was about to leave, he saw Charlie’s arrival and decided to linger, hoping to ingratiate himself with him. Instead, he witnessed this surprising scene.
Fraser couldn’t suppress the rush of excitement. “Ashton, you fool,” he thought. “Offending the CEO of the Skyline Group? The Campbell family will definitely sever ties with you, and you’ll be facing serious repercussions p>