Chapter 321
Chapter 321:
He looked up at the sound of his name.
Octavia jogged up, out of breath. “Your wife’s getting screwed over, and no one’s doing a damn thing about it! The organizers aren’t even pretending to investigate. They’ve already decided Mirabelle has cheated—and that I was in on it p>
Ashton asked her to sit. “Slow down. Start from the beginning p>
“She’s being set up!” Octavia relayed what had just happened in Mirabelle’s room.
He stood. “Who’s the person in charge p>
“Dubois. Dr. Aliénor Dubois. She’s the one pulling strings. I tried escalating—called the investors. They’ve got no clue what’s happening backstage p>
Ashton picked up the program, flipped past the judges’ bios, and landed on a block of fine print near the back.
Tristan Hadley. Competition director, overall in charge.
Not a familiar name.
But above Hadley’s name was the Lumina Omni Holdings logo.
He reached into his jacket and took out his phone.
Octavia leaned over. “You actually know this Tristan guy p>
“I don’t,” Ashton said. “But I know his boss p>
Ashton dialed.
The line rang three times before a groggy voice answered.
“Ashton? You’re calling at this bloody hour for what? It’s morning here. I was asleep p>
Kian Al-Ahmad, Lumina’s CEO, sounded half-awake and fully annoyed. Ashton ignored it.
read this novel: ̶
“I need something handled.” He gave a clipped summary of the situation.
Kian swore. “The what awards p>
“The Aureate. Jewelry design p>
A pause. Then a tired grunt. “Never heard of it. If it’s under one of mine, it’s probably buried somewhere in a sub-division. I’ve got too many companies to keep track of small fry like this. And you’re calling me for it p>
“My wife’s involved. They’ve screwed with her. I’m not wasting time chasing interns. You’re the fastest option p>
That got Kian’s attention. “Your wife? Like, for real? When did you get married? Hell, why didn’t I get an invite? Don’t tell me our years in Wessexia meant nothing to you p>
“Act now, reminisce later,” Ashton cut in. “I want a name, a reason, and an outcome. I’m at the venue right now p>
Kian cleared his throat. “Alright. I got this. I’m getting out of bed now. It’s SIX in the bloody morning, by the way. If that’s not friendship, I don’t know what is p>
“Good,” Ashton said. “Get the facts straight first p>