Chapter 157: Collateral Mischief-1
Harper’s jaw dropped. For a full second, she couldn’t even blink-just stared at the screen,
mortified, as her brother grinned like a devil in disguise.
Cham
Her stomach twisted in that familiar mix of dread and irritation. Why did he have to say that? Why
now? She could feel Ashcroft’s sharp gaze like a phantom from across the table, piercing through
her even on the other side of the world. Ugh. I cannot deal with him right now. I just… can’t.
“Kenji!” she hissed, voice strangled between outrage and disbelief. ‘
But it was too late. Everyone at the table was laughing, Ashcroft’s expression had gone dangerously unreadable, and Maya looked like she was trying very hard not to burst into nervous
laughter.
Harper forced a stiff, painfully bright smile and blurted out, “Umm-okay, well! That was… fun.” Her tone was too high, too rushed. “Oh, look at that-we’ve just arrived! Great timing!” She waved awkwardly at the camera, already reaching for the end button. “So, that’s settled then! Take care of Jaime’s medical files, and whatever he needs to bring-medications, personal stuff-just have them ready. I’ll, uh, call you back tomorrow to talk logistics, okay? Okay! Bye, Maya!”
And before anyone could respond, she jabbed at the screen and ended the call.
The call ended with Harper’s face frozen mid-wave before the screen went black.
For a beat, no one moved. The laughter that had filled the room seconds ago evaporated, leaving behind an awkward, humming silence. Maya’s polite smile lingered a moment too long before slipping. Across the table, Jaime fidgeted with his spoon, pretending to study the tablecloth.
Damien cleared his throat, the sound sharp in the quiet. “Well… that was-”
“Quite entertaining,” Dominic cut in, grin lazy as he lifted his glass for a sip.
Eleanor, who had been quietly observing while sipping her tea, set her cup down with delicate
precision. “Young people these days are quite…
“Contentious,” Charles finished smoothly, amusement tugging at his mouth. His eyes slid toward
Ashcroft with a knowing smirk.
Across from them, Ashcroft’s hand lingered near his wine glass. His expression remained calm-
controlled-but his eyes told another story. The faintest muscle ticked in his jaw, a glint of something sharp flickering behind his composure. Irritation warred with a darker intrigue, the kind
that came from being both challenged and fascinated.
“That woman,” he thought, his thumb tracing the rim of his glass, “is testing my patience.”
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Chapter 157 Collateral Mischief-1
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Maya glanced at him, then met Damien’s gaze. A silent understanding passed between them.
No one said it aloud, but the shift was undeniable. The laughter was gone-replaced by something
heavier, expectant.
Harper had just stirred something far bigger than she realized.
On the other side of that screen-half a world away-the air inside the car felt thick with the ghost of that conversation. Harper stared at her own reflection in the darkened display, mortified by the
words still echoing in her head.
Kenji was grinning. Of course he was.
Silence filled the vehicle for exactly three seconds.
Then-
“Kenji Takahashi!” she hissed, whipping around so fast her ponytail nearly smacked him in the
face. “What in the hell was that?”
Kenji burst out laughing. “That was priceless! You should’ve seen his face-Mr. Ashcroft looked like he was about to teleport through the screen.”
Harper groaned, slumping back in her seat. “I hate you,” she muttered, covering her face with both
hands.
Kenji was still laughing, absolutely unbothered, sprawled lazily across the back seat like a cat who’d just knocked something priceless off a shelf. “What?” he said innocently, dimples flashing.” You didn’t like my little performance?”
“Performance?” Harper threw her hands in the air. “You practically invited him here with a red carpet and a marching band! What were you thinking?”
Kenji smirked, completely immune to her glare. “Oh, come on. You should’ve seen his face-he looked ready to eat the camera. You can’t tell me that wasn’t worth it.”
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Cedella
Cedella 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.