Chapter 437
Chapter 437:
“I came to the studio,” I said. “Daniel wouldn’t leave, so I did. Let me guess, you asked Geoffrey where I was again. Keeping tabs on me p>
“Didn’t have to. I guessed.” Ashton changed the topic quickly. “Why’s that kid still there p>
“He’s leaving in a few days. Don’t worry, I’m not keeping him p>
“You free now p>
“Yeah p>
“Good. Come to the hospital. You’ll want front-row seats p>
Ashton and Dominic were already there when I entered the hospital room.
“What are we doing here?” I muttered, glancing around.
Ashton stood from the narrow couch by the window, tugged me down beside him, and pressed his palm to my lower back.
“Still sore?” His hand moved lower, his thumb grazing the base of my spine.
I shoved his wrist away and shifted on the cushion.
My face burned.
Dominic’s eyes stayed glued to his phone, thumbs tapping the screen like he hadn’t heard a thing. I exhaled slowly.
I shot Ashton a look.
He grinned.
I narrowed my eyes and stared harder at him, the kind of stare that said: Stop acting like a horny idiot, we’re not alone.
“Alright, alright,” he said, half-laughing.
Then he turned to Dominic. “Is it ready p>
“Yeah p>
Dominic passed me a pair of earbuds.
I took them without asking, slid them in, and nearly jerked back when a familiar voice came through.
gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․com is where your journey begins
“What’s wrong with you p>
I glanced sharply at Ashton. “You planted a bug somewhere p>
“The next room,” he nodded. “Sort of. Signal’s dodgy, but it works p>
I nodded and leaned in, trying to catch every word.
Rowan’s voice was clearer now, sharp and nasal. “Why are you in the hospital p>
Through the muffled feed, I could hear movement—fabric rustling, a dull creak, someone breathing through their nose.
Gwendolyn sounded faint. “Ashton froze all my cards. Let the house staff go. I’ve got nothing left. Here, at least, I get meals and a clean bed.” She paused. “And no bills p>
“You seem surprisingly chill for someone who just got financially castrated,” Rowan said lightly, then added, “Did he find out p>
“About the photos of Mirabelle and Daniel? Yeah. He knows p>
Rowan’s voice shot up an octave. “The only copies were with us. How the hell does he know p>
“I showed him p>
“We agreed to hold onto them! For leverage later. What was the point in giving them to Ashton now p>
Gwendolyn’s voice was equally resentful. “You’re pissed I gave him the pictures? Then explain why the paparazzo you hired blamed me for it p>