bChapter /bb232 /b

    ??4)

    65 vouchers

    ‘Once served under Griffin? That means he must all be battle–hardened soldiers who’ve survived blood and fire, Briar thought.

    Briar’s casual look faded as she nodded politely to Magnus Vince. “Hello, Mr. Vince,” she greeted.

    Magnus beamed. “Hello, Miss Jennings. Please,e inside. Ashton told me you’d be visiting, so I specially hired a chef who can make Dasmiecan–style desserts. You’ll have to try themter and see if they’re any good.”

    Connor, following behind them, was left speechless.

    ‘Hired?‘ Connor thought. ‘Magnus, aren’t you even a little bit guilty saying that? You know exactly how that chef who can make Dasmiecan–style desserts ended up here, don’t you?‘

    That chef was from the Serpent Syndicate across the mountain. Today, Magnus went to their boss to borrow the guy, but the boss refused.

    Then, Magnus went in alone, took down the Serpent Syndicate’s boss, and hauled that chef back trussed up like a turkey.

    When the chef got hauled in over Magnus’s shoulder, his eyes were all puffy from crying.

    He thought Magnus was some ruthless, unreasonable brute, and that his boss from the Serpent Syndicate must’ve pissed Magnus off, so now he, a lowly underling, was about to get tortured as payback.

    But to his surprise, Magnus just threatened and coaxed him, then shoved him straight into the kitchen and ordered him to whip up all sorts of tasty desserts.

    Briar had been busy ying games with Ian on the ne and barely ate anything, so she was feeling pretty hungry now. “Alright, I’ll give them a try,” she said.

    Magnus’s smile grew even brighter as he led Briar and Ashton to the living room.

    Brandon and Connor exchanged nces. “Have you been ignoring Connortely? Why does he seem like a lonely old man desperate for someone to pay attention to him?” Brandon asked.

    Connor was speechless, thinking, ‘Man, you do have a way with words.‘

    “I can’t afford to snub Magnus, unless I want Griffin riding from Dasmieca to the border to kick my ass,” Connor replied.

    ‘If I didn’t have to spar and train with Magnus every day, I’d probably think the same thing,‘ he added in his

    mind.

    Brandon nodded. “Yeah, you’ve got a point.”

    ‘So Magnus’s just being dramatic on purpose, Brandon thought to himself.

    Riley and Artemus stood behind Briar’s sofa, watching Magnus acting all pitiful and eager to please. Honestly,

    19:15 Thub, /bSep 18 bJ /b

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    they could hardly bear to watch.

    If they didn’t know Magnus wasn’t as tough as he used to be and couldn’t take them down anymore, they’d probably think he was showing off in front of Ashton to snatch their gig as Briar’s temporary bodyguards.

    Ashton, meanwhile, stayed perfectly cool. He watched Briar chatting with Magnus, all while keeping his head down and focused on his work.

    He came to the border on short notice. He still had some work to sort out, and a few documents and decisions still required his sign–off as CEO.

    By the time Briar was full, Ashton had nearly wrapped up his work. Since they still had to deal with jetg, they went upstairs to get some rest.

    When Ashton established his mercenary group, he had this five–level mountain lodge constructed. The ground and first floors served as his office space, with the third floor dedicated to his gym.

    The fourth and fifth floors were Ashton’s quarters. Other than the regr cleaning staff, no one else was allowed in.

    After Ashton shifted his focus back to Dasmieca, he rarely came here anymore. But even so, his private floors were stillpletely off–limits. No one dared to set foot there.

    “Mr. Wade, I’ve already had the staff thoroughly clean all the rooms on the fourth and fifth floors. We also reced the curtains, using the same warm, cozy style as your bedroom back at Moonspring Estate in Dasmieca,” Connor said as he led the way. “And Miss Jennings‘ room is set up right next to yours, on the right.”

    Briar followed Connor’s directions, turned, and headed for the room on the right. She pushed open the door and took a quick look inside.

    The room was quite simr in style to her bedroom at Moonspring Estate. For them to have managed to set it up in just a dozen hours, especially in a ce as chaotic as the border, was honestly pretty impressive.

    Ian, Riley, and Artemus followed behind her, but when Briar went into her room, all three respectfully kept their eyes averted, not daring to peek inside.

    “It’s pretty nice,” Briar said as she walked around the room, set her backpack down, and then stepped back out. She smiled and nodded at Connor.

    Getting Briar’s approval, Connor looked genuinely pleased. “I’m d you like it, Miss Jennings. Oh, and the window on the left side of your room faces the plum grove on the back hill. The plum blossoms are blooming right nowi. /iThe scent is incredible.”

    Briar nodded, saying she’d take a look when she went back to her roomter.

    Then she followed Ashton to his bedroom, which was right next to hers.

    But unlike the warm, cozy vibe of Briar’s room, Ashton’s bedroom was minimalist and austere, giving off an imposing, distant atmosphere that made it hard for anyone to feel at bease/bb. /b

    Likewise, Ian, Riley, and Artemus didn’t follow them in. They obediently waited outside with Brandon and

    Connor.

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    Briar shrugged off her down jacket as soon as she entered, now left in just a thin shirt. Her slender frame contrasted yet harmonized with Ashton’s tall, imposing figure in the room, creating an unexpectedly strikingposition.

    “Your room only has one bathroom, and the changing area is a bit cramped. If it ever gets inconvenient, you can always use mine,” Ashton offered.

    Briar gave him a half–smile. “Ashton, your reasons for requesting a sleepover are getting more and more

    mature.”

    She realized he’d mastered the art of dodging the question with these almost–convincing excuses.

    Ashton used his tall frame to shield Briar from any prying eyes at the door, then wrapped her up in his arms. “So, does my application for tonight’s cuddle service get approved?” he asked, his voice low and teasing.

    “Payment up front. Service after,” Briar replied with a sly grin, holding out her hand to Ashton.

    Without hesitation, Ashton whipped out his phone and sent 30 thousand dors straight to Briar’s ount.

    Briar’s face lit up with a bright smile. “Mr. Wade, I’m so happy to serve you tonight. Now, go take a nice shower and lie in bed waiting for me, okay?”

    Ashton chuckled and let her push him toward the bathroom. “No problem. I’ll be waiting for you in bed after my shower.”

    Of course, the five people waiting outside could hear every bit of their flirty banter.

    Ian, Connor, Brandon, Riley, and Artemus were all speechless.

    ‘Damn, are we supposed to be hearing this kind of thing?‘ they all thought.

    Then, as soon as Briar stepped out of the room, she saw the five people waiting outside scatter like startled birds.

    Briar was amused. ‘Seriously? They’re all bordend badasses, and yet a little flirting sends them running like embarrassed kids?‘

    It was gettingte, so Briar went back to her room, washed up, slipped into her cartoon–print pajamas, and then headed over to Ashton’s room.

    Ashton was already out of the shower, lying in bed, and waiting for her. He patted the big space beside him and beckoned to Briar. “Come here, honey. I’m all set.”

    Seeing that, Briar’s eye twitched a couple of times. But in the end, she still walked over. The moment she got close, Ashton pulled her into his arms like an octopus, wrapping her up tight. Soon enough, the two of them fell fast asleep together.

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