"Seb, you can't do that!" Ashton Lincoln's anxious and disappointed voice echoed as she trailed behind Sebastian Rutherford into the presidential office. She watched him loosen his tie and take his seat, fixing his eyes on her as she stood in front of the massive, expensive desk that separated them. She continued speaking, trying to dissuade him from his decision.
"How can you announce Diamond Rutherford as the heir to the throne? Nolan Rutherford is your eldest son—he should be the one appointed as the next president!"
Sebastian looked at her helplessly, trying to explain calmly. "I can't do that, Ash."
She stared at him in surprise and asked quietly, "Why? Is it because Nolan is not your biological son?"
Sebastian massaged the bridge of his nose in frustration and looked at her, confirming her suspicion. Ashton laughed coldly, her eyes red with emotion.
"Seb, I can't believe you would ever see Nolan as different from your biological son. He only knows you as his father and has called you 'Dad' since he first learned to speak."
Hot tears dropped uncontrollably as she looked at him with disappointment.
"I was wrong about you, Sebastian Rutherford. I mistook your quietness for a gentle and kind soul." She chuckled mockingly. "Oh, how can a kind soul allow his benefactor to be executed and die in cold blood?"
Yes, Ashton knew exactly where it hurt Sebastian the most—and she always used it against him to favor Nolan. But this time, she was surprised. Not only did Sebastian refuse to give in, but she had successfully reopened his old wound.
Sebastian looked at her coldly, cutting her off impatiently. Disappointment, anger, and helplessness were clearly etched on his face. He stood and walked slowly toward her, closing the distance between them. His presence exuded a heavy, oppressive air. He looked down at her, and she looked up at him, trying to maintain her composure and not show weakness.
She had only seen this side of Sebastian once before—on the day Logan Howard was executed. Thinking about that day made her bolder.
Sarcastically, she said, "What? Can't bear to hear the truth? Does it hurt that much? Then think about Nolan. How will he feel when he learns the truth about his biological father—and that your father killed him? The only way to appease and compensate Nolan is to announce him as the next president after you."
Sebastian's disappointment deepened. He realized that no matter how well he treated Ashton, she still preferred Logan Howard—the man who not only denied her but humiliated her to the point that she quit school in her final year. He couldn't help but wonder: How does a woman's mind work? Does she prefer rough treatment over kindness? He decided to play along with her preferences.
Seb looked at her with disappointment. "It's not as if I've appointed someone else's child to take over my office. Diamond Rutherford is also your son! If you have any grievances against me, bring them to me—don't direct your resentment toward this innocent child, Ash. I've turned a blind eye to how badly you've treated Diamond. To make you happy, I've decided to take him away from you and let him live with his grandfather. What more do you want?"
Hearing this, Ashton grew bolder, thinking he was about to comply. "Seb, what I want is simple. Just announce Nolan as the—"
Sebastian cut her off impatiently. "I told you, it's not possible. My dad already knows that Nolan is not my biological son!"
She looked down at her feet, hiding her expression. A fierce and dangerous glint flashed in her beautiful eyes and disappeared in an instant. Then she looked up and caught Sebastian watching her, though his expression was unreadable.
Suddenly, he chuckled in a self-deprecating manner, still looking at her as if reading her mind. His voice was low but certain.
"You've long planned for Nolan to take over my office. Is that why you insisted I send Diamond away and pressured me to bring Nolan into the office to learn?"
Realizing he had seen through her intentions, Ashton stopped pretending. She simply nodded and said in a low voice, "That's right."
He nodded slowly, sneering sarcastically. "Is this how much you love that man? You've transferred that love to his son and chosen to hate mine with passion. Do you hate me this much?"
Ashton cut in, almost impatiently. "Seb—"
"Ashton Lincoln!" Sebastian snapped, not letting her speak. He was already annoyed. "Logan Howard only reaped what he sowed."
Ashton's anger boiled over. She shouted, "Sebastian Rutherford, you're not worthy to mention that name! You should be ashamed. The only reason you're still—" she sized him up and down, gesturing with her hand, "—standing here alive is because of him. And how did you and your ungrateful family repay him?"
Sebastian couldn't stand the accusations. His anger surged, and a strong, dangerous aura filled the room. His voice was low and deadly.
He looked at her with bloodshot eyes and said, word by word, "Ashton Lincoln, do you want me to relay everything to you in detail, in case you've forgotten? I owe Logan Howard nothing! Yes, he saved me once—but I saved him countless times. He saved me, but took my mother's life in return!"
He gritted his teeth. "I helped raise his son. You gave me a son. So let's say we're even!"
Ashton was shocked. She instinctively stepped back, mouth agape. But Sebastian stepped forward, continuing.
"I tried to reason with you, but you're impossible. And now you're dragging my son into your revenge!"
Ashton couldn't bear it anymore. She turned and ran out of the office.