I Slapped My Fiancé—Then Married His Billionaire Nemesis
Chapter 140 - 141 Visit from Father

Chapter 140: Chapter 141 Visit from Father

I tugged Ashton forward.

‘Don’t let him get in your head. I don’t care if he shows up at the studio. I’ll just throw him out myself.’

Franklin clocked Ashton’s hesitation and pounced.

‘You’re a public figure,’ he said loudly. ‘And Mirabelle’s been getting a lot of buzz online. If people find out how you treat family... it won’t look good.’

Ashton stopped, turned.

‘Come in.’

‘No!’ I snapped, jabbing my fingers into his arm. ‘He’s not setting foot in the house. The second you let him through the door, he’ll glue himself to the floor.’

Ashton patted my hand. ‘I’ve got it under control. He’s not getting a thing.’

‘Then why let him in?’

‘I’ve got something in mind.’

‘Care to share?’

Franklin had covered the distance between us with a few quick bounds. He chuckled. ‘Knew you’d understand, Ashton. Knew you’d be reasonable.’

He shoved past me and sprinted through the doorway before one of us changed our mind.

Once we were inside, I didn’t even bother sitting. I glared. ‘Cut the crap. Why are you really here?’

He gave the room a once-over—artwork, chandeliers, hand-carved trim.

His pupils expanded.

He masked it well, but I’d lived with him long enough to know what was running through his head—how much of this can I get?

He set down two gaudy red-and-gold gift boxes on the side table with a flourish.

‘These bottles are from a centuries-old vineyard in France,’ he announced. ‘Aged just right. And these beans—hand-roasted, old family recipe. I thought you two might enjoy them.’

Ashton motioned to the low sofa by the wall. ‘Sit there.’

Franklin shuffled over and perched on the edge.

When Carmen came over to see if we needed coffee, Ashton waved her away.

His attitude reassured me somewhat.

Still, I didn’t get what he was playing at.

Franklin cleared his throat. ‘I just wanted to see Mirabelle. We only just heard about the marriage. Your mother and I were completely in the dark. If we’d known, we’d have thrown a proper celebration. You didn’t have to keep it from us.’

‘I didn’t keep it,’ I shot back. ‘I told Caroline. She laughed in my face.’

He chuckled awkwardly and rubbed his palms together. ‘Well, your mother is... she’s stubborn. Never mind her. You should’ve come to me straight.’

I snorted. ‘I would’ve, if I could find you.’

That shut him up for half a second.

He opened his mouth, shut it again, tried to look hurt.

It didn’t take.

‘I mean it, Mira, about what I said earlier. Let’s throw a wedding. A big one. Book a whole ballroom, send out invitations, the works. You deserve a big day. I feel terrible we missed it. So, how about it? Don’t worry, I’ll cover everything.’

I rolled my eyes. ‘Forget the wedding. You can make up for it with a present. Cash is fine. How much are you offering?’

His shoulders drooped.

‘I wish I could give you everything,’ he mumbled. ‘But the company’s in a bad way. We’ve lost several contracts, cash flow’s tight. Honestly, I’m hanging on by a thread.’

‘Is that why you tried to pimp me out to that creep Maxwell?’

‘No! Of course not! You are my daughter, I’d never do anything to hurt you. It was supposed to be a business meeting. I didn’t know Caroline had tricked you into coming with that fake audio until the police questioned her. She went behind my back. I already gave her a talking-to, told her not to pull this kind of stunt again...’

While he talked, he kept sneaking hopeful glances at Ashton.

I was tempted to stand in front of Ashton to block his line of sight, but didn’t, because that felt too childish.

‘... with the way the economy is, you know how bad things can get. But I heard LGH’s logistics branch has a few contracts up for grabs. Ashton, if you’d let me handle a couple, or maybe back one of our proposals... we could bounce back fast. Once we’re stable, I’ll shower you both with gifts. Whatever you want.’

I opened my mouth, ready to rip into him, but Ashton beat me to it.

‘If it’s business, then we’ll discuss it in the study.’

Franklin lit up. ‘Of course. Yes, yes. Let’s go.’

I tugged Ashton’s sleeve and hissed, ‘Don’t. You can’t hand him a single deal.’

He gave my hand a soft pat. ‘Relax. I know what I’m doing.’

The two of them headed upstairs.

The moment they disappeared into the study, I tiptoed up after them, pressed my ear flat to the door, and held my breath.

Nothing.

The soundproofing was too good. I might as well have been listening through a brick wall.

I pulled out my phone and typed as fast as my thumbs could move.

[Don’t you dare say yes. I mean it. Don’t give him anything.]

[His logistics company’s a joke. Vance Overland’s never handled anything bigger than a garage move.]

[I don’t give a shit that he’s family. That doesn’t mean a thing to me. Don’t do this to be nice to me, because I will NOT be nice about it if you actually help him.]

[You let him in, he’ll bleed you dry.]

No reply.

I stared at the screen. ‘Read’ receipts were on. He’d seen everything and sent back nothing.

I stomped back to the bedroom, shoved the door shut with my hip, and rolled up my sleeves.

I started typing again.

Every shady deal, every corner Franklin had cut, every idiot decision he’d made that tanked the company’s reputation.

My phone screen blurred from the speed of my typing.

I didn’t stop until my thumbs ached.