Chapter 1 Return The Sweetness A Hundredfold
- Ashton Schwerin had just exited the terminal at Lindonbury International Airport when a cold, elegant woman approached him. "Ashton the Great, something terrible has happened. I found some compromising videos of the person you ordered an investigation against..."
- The woman spoke with great respect. After all, the man before her was known as the Archgeneral, the Supreme Warrior God of the East. Anyone aware of his identity would address him with utmost reverence as Ashton the Great or Sir Ashton.
- "What!?" Ashton’s expression hardened, and the atmosphere seemed to chill.
- Five years ago, Ashton had been dosed with a sex drug during a mission and rescued by a woman. Unconscious, he unintentionally slept with her with her despite her kindness. Once he awoke, he had to focus on his mission and left immediately, always wanting to find her but with no success. He returned now to see his foster parents and also because he had finally gotten news of her in Lindonbury. He hadn't expected this...
- Might it be that she couldn't accept the emotional trauma and had fallen into such a state?
- "Ivanna! Show me the video!"
- "Yes!" The woman gave him a black and gold laptop with a bow.
- Ashton quickly pushed it open and watched it, chest tightening. "Is this her or someone who resembles her? No, something's off with this video! Ivanna, get the car ready. I need to see her!"
- Ivanna Blanc acquiesced and hurried off to fetch the car.
- ...
- "Ashton the Great, her name is Freya Lowenstein of the Lindonbury Lowenstein Family, and is currently the Estenia Cosmetics general manager. However, the Lowensteins treat her with hostility. Moreover, we've confirmed she birthed a child four years ago—yours. The girl's name is Matilda Lowenstein, and she's currently in kindergarten..." informed Ivanna during their journey.
- "What? I have a daughter?" Ashton was usually unshaken in the face of danger, but a hint of excitement flickered across his face at Ivanna's words.
- However, his expression then darkened. That video was a thorn piercing his heart. Until he could understand the situation, any joy would be precarious, ready to disintegrate at any moment.
- "Yes! Matilda has been asking for her father every day, so Freya put out a job posting for a personal assistant to feign being Matilda's father and make her happy. However, since you were disguised during that mission, Freya knows nothing of your real appearance and seemingly holds a lot of resentment toward you..."
- Ashton didn't respond, but a hint of regret flickered in his eyes. Throughout his life, he had no regrets except for the debt he owed this mother and daughter.
- …
- Outside the general manager’s office at Estenia Cosmetics, a long line of applicants waited for an interview with their resumes.
- A stunning woman was calmly reviewing resumes when an unfriendly voice rang out. "Freya, you sl*t! How dare you flirt in secret with other men behind my back? And openly interviewing people, too! Are you shamelessly trying to sell yourself?"
- A young man strode in with two stocky bodyguards.
- Freya's face hardened. "Hayden, watch your words. There is nothing between the two of us."
- Hayden Flemming had been harassing her for ages, using his family's influence to make her life difficult.
- He retrieved his phone with a sneer and shook it. "Really? I still have recordings of our sessions here. Should I publish it on the internet and let your daughter see the sort of woman her mother is?"
- There was an immediate uproar.
- "It's no surprise she had a child out of wedlock. Is that what she's like?"
- "Ha ha ha, isn't it better this way? Why trouble yourself with these interviews? Name your price, gorgeous. How about a night with me?"
- "F*ck off!" Freya's face flushed with anger at the vulgar comments. "Hayden, what are you trying to do with these doctored footage? You only disgust me!"
- Hayden's methods had grown more shameless, now resorting to despicable means to intimidate her with altered photos.
- "Heh, what’s there to fear?" Hayden dismissed her. "I’m assured of winning."
- "You shameless b*stard!" Freya’s chest heaved with fury, but she felt powerless.
- Hayden smirked and addressed the crowd. "Get lost! All of you, get lost! Freya is mine. I'll break the legs of whoever dares come for an interview!"
- The crowd quickly snatched their resumes and fled. The Flemming Family wielded significant power in Lindonbury, and enraging Hayden meant trouble.
- Once everyone had left, Hayden signaled his bodyguards to close the door, eyes gleaming lustfully at Freya. "I rarely take an interest in anything, so you better serve me willingly. Otherwise, I’ll ensure this video goes viral.
- "Your family, friends, even your daughter’s teachers and classmates will all see it. Let’s see how you handle that." Hayden’s smug look suggested he had Freya completely figured out.
- "Hayden, you're disgusting! If you put a hand on me, I’ll contact the cops!" Freya’s eyes blazed with rage.
- "Call the cops?" Hayden scoffed and advanced, grabbing Freya. "You're a sl*t who’s been violated. Who are you saving yourself for?"
- Freya struggled desperately, but Hayden tore her clothes with a ripping sound and exposed her naked shoulder.
- "Ah!" Freya screamed, struggling harder, but Hayden, driven by desire, pinned her down on the nearest couch.
- Just as his hand grew more impatient, there was a loud bang.
- "Stop!" Ashton kicked the door open, sending the two bodyguards flying into the room.