“That old man disrespected the mafia boss. Teach him what happens.”
Ashley stepped in front of Chris and Noah.
“No.”
Chris touched her arm.
“Ashley, you don’t have to.”
She looked back at him.
“You are my husband. Noah is my son now. No matter what, I protect both of you.”
For a moment, Chris forgot the danger.
He only saw her.
This fierce, impulsive woman who had married a man she believed had nothing—and still stood between him and harm.
Zoe laughed.
“How sweet.”
Chris looked at her.
“Does Devin know you’re here?”
Zoe’s smile disappeared.
“You don’t get to say his name.”
“I suggest you call him.”
Jack sneered.
“He’s bluffing.”
Chris took out his phone.
“Rachel,” he said calmly, “tell Devin Alger he has three minutes to get to Johnson Hotel. If he’s late, he’ll answer for what happens.”
Zoe rolled her eyes.
Lexi smiled again.
Then, exactly three minutes later, Devin Alger stormed into the suite.
His face went pale when he saw Chris.
Zoe stepped forward. “Boss, this man—”
Devin slapped her.
The sound cracked like thunder.
Devin bowed his head.
“Sir. I apologize for my subordinate.”
Jack’s mouth fell open.
Lexi whispered, “What?”
Devin turned on them.
“Of all people, you dragged me here to offend him?”
Jack’s father, Edward Carlisle, arrived moments later, furious and confused.
“Devin, why are you beating my son?”
Devin laughed bitterly.
“Because I’m trying to save his life.”
Edward looked at Chris in the service jacket.
“This man? He’s nobody.”
Then he saw the necklace at Ashley’s throat.
The Heart of the Ocean sapphire.
A legendary artifact Johnson Holdings had purchased in Europe for two hundred and fifty million dollars.
Edward’s face changed.
“Where did you get that?”
Ashley touched it.
“Chris gave it to me.”
Edward pointed at Chris.
“You stole it.”
Noah stepped forward. “My dad is no thief.”
Lexi seized the moment.
“I dated Noah for five years. They have no powerful connections. He definitely stole it.”
Ashley’s eyes flashed.
“You will not accuse my husband without evidence.”
Edward sneered.
“You’re willing to offend Johnson Holdings for this loser?”
“Yes,” Ashley said. “Because unjust power deserves opposition.”
Chris looked at her, something unreadable passing over his face.
Edward called Vice President Rachel.
“I’ve recovered the stolen Heart of the Ocean,” he announced when she arrived. “This man stole it and pretended it was a gift.”
Rachel entered with a dozen Johnson Holdings executives.
Edward smiled triumphantly.
Then Rachel bowed slightly to Chris.
“Sorry I’m late.”
The suite went dead silent.
Edward’s smile collapsed.
Rachel turned to him.
“What if I told you I personally gave him that necklace?”
Jack stumbled back.
Lexi whispered, “No…”
Edward’s face went gray.
Chris raised a brow.
“Rachel, explain.”
Rachel faced the room.
“Mr. Johnson provided service worthy of gratitude. I gave him the necklace.”
Noah stared at his father.
“Service?”
Chris coughed.
“A dry martini.”
Noah squinted.
“Dad, do I have two stepmoms?”
Ashley elbowed him lightly.
Chris gave his son a warning look.
Rachel’s tone sharpened.
“As for Edward Carlisle, we have evidence he has been siphoning company funds. Irrefutable evidence.”
Guards seized Edward.
Jack screamed.
Lexi cried.
And Chris, still in his service jacket, stood quietly as an entire room of people realized they had mistaken humility for weakness.
PART 3: The Supreme Chairman Takes the Stage
Ashley could not stop thinking about the investment summit.
Johnson Holdings held it once every ten years. The chosen company received strategic partnership, financial backing, global distribution, and a place among the untouchable. For Lockhart Group, struggling to break through its ceiling, the summit could change everything.
Chris encouraged her to apply.
She laughed at first.
“Do you understand how cutthroat this is?”
“I understand more than you think.”
She touched his face.
“You always say things like that.”
He kissed her palm.
“Maybe because they’re true.”
But not everyone wanted Ashley to reach that stage.