Chapter 376
Chapter 376 Old Friends
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Two incredibly handsome men sat across from one another. Their eyes locked right away.
One look was soft, calm, and relaxed. The other was dark, sharp and serious. Time felt like it slowed to a crawl.
After 17 long years, the two best friends were finally face to face again.
It felt familiar, yet totally foreign.
Jensen studied the man in front of him. After all these years, his old friend was nothing like the gentle, polite boy he’d grown up with.
His features were cold and distant. The warm, friendly light in his eyes was gone. His dark was quiet and icy.
gaze
The gentle boy had turned cold and reserved, every bit of his soft nature worn away over time.
He wore a black button-up shirt, buttoned all the way up at the collar.
A quiet, cold detachment lingered in his every move.
He still looked elegant and distinguished.
Jensen still remembered he used to love wearing white and light blue clothes.
His family had been destroyed. He’d barely escaped with his life, hiding under a new identity for 17 years.
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All those hard years had slowly changed the kind, gentle boy into this cold, unfeeling man.
He was still the same person, but the warmth that used to live in him was gone.
Now, only his handsome face remained, carrying a fake sense of gentleness.
“I’m doing fine.” Asher gave a small nod.
“Why didn’t you come back all these years? Why didn’t you look for me p>
Jensen’s voice turned low and serious.
He would’ve helped him, no questions asked.
With their family ties and close friendship, the Marlows would never have turned their back on him.
But he’d disappeared for 17 whole years.
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Chapter 376 Old Friends
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If it weren’t for Zora, Jensen might’ve never found him.
“I could handle everything on my own.” Asher turned his head, staring out the big floor-to- ceiling window.
“Asher Hale p>
Jensen stood up fast and grabbed him by the shirt collar.
Asher was forced to tilt his head back. His face flushed a little as he met Jensen’s blazing angry
stare.
“You’re really gonna answer me with just that p>
Jensen was furious enough to throw a punch. He squeezed his fists tight, forcing himself to hold back.
He finally knew where Zora got her stubborn streak. Asher was the one who taught her.
Both of them never asked for help. They always hid their troubles and tried to deal with everything alone.
They were equally hard to take care of.
“I had too many enemies. I didn’t want to drag you into my problems p>
“Do you seriously think I’m scared of your enemies?” Jensen gritted his teeth.
For these years, he’d lived in fear that Asher had died alone somewhere, with no one to bury him.
“I know you’re not scared. But I still didn’t want to bring trouble to the Marlows p>
Asher’s expression didn’t shift. Having his collar grabbed made his breathing rough and
uneven.
He lifted his hands and slowly pried Jensen’s grip off his clothes.
Jensen stared at his pale face, then his thin, sickly hands. He frowned deeply.
Asher was even weaker than he’d been as a kid.
He finally let go of the collar.
Asher fell back into his chair. A wave of nausea rushed up his throat.
He pressed a palm to the table, his knuckles tensing as he fought off the discomfort.
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Chapter 126 Old Friends
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“Asher, I finally know who messed up Zora’s personality! You’re such a stubborn pain p>
Jensen grabbed a glass of water and chugged it down to calm his anger.
He’d promised himself he’d beat this guy up the second they met, but now that he was here, he couldn’t do it.
Jensen felt so frustrated.
He wanted to fight him so bad, yet he couldn’t bring himself to lay a hand on him.
Asher froze for a second.
A pain? A stubborn pain?
No one had ever called him that in his entire life.
“What’s wrong with your old illness? Heal fast. I’m still gonna beat you up p>
“Cough-I never thought you would talk like this p>
Asher had just settled the pain in his chest, but Jensen’s harsh words made him break into a fit of coughs.
His pale face turned bright red from coughing nonstop.
He could tell Jensen was seething mad from not being able to fight him.
“Are you gonna cough yourself sick p>
J
Jensen’s brows squeezed tight, watching him struggle to catch his breath.
“Can’t you say one nice thing about me p>
Asher coughed a couple more times, his throat still itching. His eyes turned red from the constant coughing.
“Hmph. All these years, I thought you’d died in some random corner p>
Jensen turned around, walked to the water dispenser, and poured him a cup of water.
“Why did you insist on finding me so badly?” Asher took the cup and sipped a little water.
“I was gonna wait and bury your body.” Jensen spoke in a cold, sharp tone.
“You don’t have to worry. I’m not dying anytime soon p>
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Chapter 376 Old Friends
His throat itched again. He swallowed hard to hold back the irritation.
“When I took Zora into the Marlow Manor, that document was sent by you, right p>
Jensen let out a long, tired sigh.
Asher had clearly planned everything out.
He’d been secretly watching over Zora this entire time.
At first, Asher had underestimated how cruel a parent could be.
He’d always thought all parents loved their kids, just like his own parents loved him.
He never imagined Wendy would be so cold to Zora.
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The Real Heiress’s New Family Adored by All
Jane is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.