Secret Scion

"I was the one who earned the money. I can spend it however I want, and it has nothing to do with them," Noelle said. "Remember the hotel that we saw last time that was up for purchase? Our company is involved in hotels as well, so I want to buy that hotel in our company's name." Asher knew which hotel she was talking about. Noelle saw it when she was in Alexandrius last time. The location was quite good, but they still made a loss. They figured out that it had to be a managerial issue.

"That's not a bad plan, but you're going to have a lot of competition."

"I know. However, I'm willing to buy no matter the price," Noelle said firmly.

Asher smiled. He was sure that Noelle's aim was not that hotel itself. However, if the Steward Corporation could purchase that hotel, it could provide her support for her operation in Alexandrius in the future.

Asher then said with a smile, "Alright. I'll send someone to ask around. I'll let you know when I have news."

After that, he chatted with Noelle for about an hour. Noelle seemed to have plenty to say. If it was not because her mobile was running out of juice, she would continue the conversation. Night fell as lights on both sides of the streets lit up. Asher somehow ended up near the Riverside Tavern.

There were still plenty of people walking by the river in the evening. As the season changed into fall, the difference in temperature was in the tens especially near the river. He could still feel the warmth in the afternoon, but the wind sent chills into the bones when the sun had set. The tavern was just further ahead. After stopping for a moment, Asher headed right to the tavern.

He was completely drunk last time at the tavern. Afterward, Rose was the one that carried him away. Asher was not sure if he had paid, so he walked over wanting to ask the waiter about it. The tavern was located in a building built in the early 1900s, and the tavern was renovated to fit that style. One would be hard-pressed to find anything contemporary. Even the windows were made of authentic materials and glass of the same period.

When Asher went past a private room, he accidentally saw two extremely beautiful women from the opened window.

He knew both of them. It was Rose and Selena.

Selena was wearing a form-fitting coat over a long-sleeved shirt and a daffodil-colored short dress. Unlike her stern and graceful image on the television, she seemed less mature but much more stylish and livelier.

Rose sat opposite of her, wearing a trendy white chiffon shirt. Compared to Selena, she looked somewhat more innocuous.

The window was separated into two parts, and there was an opening right below. Asher paused and walked over, eavesdropping on what they had to say.

Selena had heard about Sebastian and Rose's engagement, and so she made time and gave Rose a call. She then asked her out so they could talk. She merely wanted to strengthen their relationship since according to local custom, once Rose and Sebastian were engaged, Rose would then have to call Selena aunt as well.

In other words, they would be family. Selena did not want their relationship to be distant. "Rose, an engagement is huge for anyone. If you have anything you want, just tell me. I'll tell Sebastian about it, and he'll do it for you no matter what," Selena said with a smile.

There were several dishes and a bottle of wine on the table. To the left of Selena was a pair of large sunglasses and a baseball cap.

Meanwhile, Rose shook her head and said, "I don't have any conditions. The Macquoids are the number one household in Alexandrius... If I ask for anything else, it will make me look unreasonable."

"Well, you can't put it that way. Sebastian and you are getting married of your own volition, and this is not an alliance by marriage. If you want something, you have to say it. You can't let Sebastian marry you that easily. Regardless, you're still the Schmidts' favored daughter." Selena had spent a lot of time in politics. As such, her ability to sense other people's motives through observation was far beyond that of ordinary people. She could easily tell what others were thinking through the most minute of facial movements.

For example, Selena could not see any excitement in Rose's expression. Instead, there was a strange feeling in her eyes. It was not sorrow, but there was definitely no joy.

Don't tell me that Rose doesn't want to marry Sebastian?

That was the thought that formed in Selena's mind.

Rose's hands were cold. She was holding the cup in her hand to warm them instead of drinking. After some moment of hesitation, she suddenly asked, "Ms. Horton, do you have someone you like?"

Selena was a public figure. That was why even if she had a boyfriend, she would not admit to it openly to create an opening for her enemies.

"We're going to be family soon, so you can call me aunt Selena or Selena, right?" Selena said with a soft smile.

Rose smiled awkwardly. After a few seconds of delay, Rose finally called her aunt. Selena then said, "I've been busy with work all these years, so I don't have time to get into a relationship. However, there were a lot of men who were introduced to me. Unfortunately, I didn't click with any of them. Many people believe that between love and power, I should choose the latter. That way, it would be much more beneficial for me in politics. However, I can't convince myself to do that, so I've been single all this time. After some time, I got used to it. It's not so bad being single."

From her words, Rose could sense the helplessness in Selena. Just as Sebastian had said, the more talented and well-known someone was, the more constricted they were. Selena was in politics, and no ordinary person could see just how chaotic it was.

Rose remained silent as well. Selena then said with a smile, "Why did you ask me about it?" "Aunt Selena, you've never had anyone you liked?" Rose said.

Selena gave it a thought and shook her head in the end. "No. That being said, there were plenty of people that I hated."

Rose originally wanted to ask what Selena's understanding about love was. However, she never expected that she was completely inexperienced when it came to this. "People that you hate? Who was bold enough to make you unhappy?"

When Selena thought about what happened a long time ago, even despite her ability to control her emotions, there was still a slight blush on her face. "It happened before I joined politics. Let's not talk about it since it was so long ago. Rose, tell me the truth. Do you dislike Sebastian?" Rose's hand suddenly trembled as the hot tea splashed and spilled over her hand. It was very hot, so she quickly wiped it using a paper towel.

Selena did not miss that moment.

"Aunt Selena, we're going to be engaged soon. Of course, I love him," Rose said.

Selena was Sebastian's aunt, so Rose was still on her guard.

"That's good. If you don't like him, don't agree to the engagement. Otherwise, you won't be happy in your marriage. Is your hand okay?"

Rose looked at her hand. There was a red patch, but it was not all that serious, and so she nodded her head.

At this time, several men came out of the bar. Asher quickly headed to the entrance and stood up straight.

"Mr. Asher, how many guests will be joining you today?" The waiter quickly greeted him with a smile when he saw Asher.

"I'm here to foot the bill. I haven't paid for the last time. Do you remember how much it was?" Asher said openly.

The waiter then said with a smile, "Mr. Asher, Ms. Rose had already paid the bill last time. Didn't she tell you? Right, Ms. Rose is also here today. Should I take you there?"

Asher did not expect Rose to have paid for him. He never thought that Selena would be here with her as well. They must have overheard everything that the waiter had said.

Private room.

When they heard Asher's voice, both Rose and Selena were taken by surprise. Rose was worried that Selena would misunderstand her relationship with Asher, and so she quickly explained, "Last time when I was here, Asher was completely drunk. That was when he had just been exiled by his family. I pitied him so I carried him to a hotel nearby."

Selena, however, was lost in her own thoughts as she recalled what happened many years ago. She had no time to think about Rose and Asher. With a slight blush, she said, "Rose, I don't want to see him. Find an excuse to get rid of him."

"Huh?" Rose could not help but be taken aback. Only then did she notice the blush on Selena's face. She could not help but make a guess... Could it be that the person that Selena hated was Asher?!

It was not impossible. That was because Rose had already noticed that Selena had feelings for Asher. For example, Selena did not like others to even mention his name in their conversation, but she would know everything about him faster than anyone.

Rose did not ask her the reason. When she heard what Selena said, she then stood up and headed over.

"You spent 196 dollars here. Forget about the six dollars, just pay me the rest," Rose said immediately.

"I don't want to owe you that six dollars." Asher transferred 196 dollars to the bar and had the waiter pass the cash to Rose.

Rose did not hesitate and took the money. She then gave Asher a glance and then said, "Well, you've already paid up. Why are you still here?"

Asher scratched his nose and said, "Do you own this bar? Even if you do, you have no right to kick me out. Waiter, get me a bottle of wine." With that, Asher sat on a chair.