Chapter 381
Chapter 381:
Asher watched with grim relief as Colton’s tall frame finally began to buckle. But even when he hit the ground, Colton would not open his hands. He curled his body around the urn to shield it as the guards continued to rain blows down on him. Blood clouded his eyes and pain screamed through every inch of his body, but still he held on.
Asher stared at the scene, his eyes turning cold while his thin fingers trembled almost imperceptibly.
Then Colton lifted his head and looked straight at him.
Their eyes locked. Colton’s gaze was filled with nothing but contempt.
“Asher, she belongs to me,” Colton rasped. “She is still my woman, even in death p>
He spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground and pulled the urn even tighter against his chest.
Asher narrowed his eyes, on the verge of ordering Tripp to seize the urn by force. At that moment, police sirens wailed behind him.
A few moments later, Bobby arrived with a pair of officers in tow.
The police knew exactly who Colton and Asher were — one the nation’s youngest billionaire, the other from the most powerful family in the city. These were not men they had any interest in provoking. After hearing both sides, the officers did their best to remain neutral. One stepped forward and asked, “How did you two know the deceased? Are you family, or perhaps her husband p>
𝘔𝗈r𝖾 𝘯о𝘃e𝘭s 𝘰𝘯
Both Colton and Asher fell silent, their expressions equally tight with fury.
Finally, Asher spoke. “Kristine’s father passed away years ago, and her mother was recently sent to prison. With no family left to handle the arrangements, we — her friends — organized the funeral ourselves p>
“So you’re just friends,” the officer said, turning his gaze to Asher. “Mr. Edwards, since you aren’t family, you are required to release the ashes to Mr. Yates p>
“And why would I do that?” Asher snapped, all trace of his earlier composure gone.
The officer wiped the sweat from his brow. “Mr. Yates was her boyfriend. In the eyes of the law, that carries more weight than a friendship. More than anything, she deserves peace. If the two of you keep fighting over her, she’ll never have it. Surely you want that for her, don’t you p>
That last part struck Asher somewhere deep. He was quiet for a moment, then said, “He can take her — but only if he agrees to one condition p>
“Name it,” Colton said immediately.
Asher didn’t hesitate. “She can go back to Gridron, but you are not to bury her in your family’s cemetery p>
Colton looked down at the urn in his hands and frowned. After a brief silence, he gritted his teeth. “Fine p>
Danica’s eyes filled with tears as she watched Colton walk away with the ashes. “Mr. Edwards, can’t we stop him p>
Kristine had been bound to Colton in life, and now he had claimed her again in death. Danica knew Kristine would be furious if she could see this.
Asher watched Colton disappear through the gates but said nothing. He seemed lost somewhere far inside his own thoughts. After a long moment, he turned his wheelchair toward the exit alone as the sun began to sink toward the horizon.
In Raskor, a fresh layer of snow had blanketed the ground overnight.