Chapter 6
Jayden's POV
I couldn't let her leave thinking I'd used her. "I'm sorry," I said, but my words snagged when I noticed a loose strand of hair on her face.
Without thinking, I leaned in to tuck it back. My eyes drifted to her lips, the faint light soft against her skin. Even in a plain nightgown, she stirred something in me I didn't want awakened.
Then she closed her eyes. A laugh escaped me before I could stop it.
She blinked, startled.
"You had something on your hair," I teased. "Funny. For someone furious about the kiss, you look ready for another."
Color rushed to her cheeks. "You wouldn't want me to slap you again, would you?"
We ended up laughing, sipping water like old friends.
"Thank you for today, Selena.Good night."
"Good night." she said softly.
I felt so free with her. I hadn't laughed like that in years. The moment lingered in my head, until my phone buzzed.
Cameron: Sir, there's a problem at the office.
Selena's POV
I woke up lighter than I expected, almost… good.
I opened the door —straight into Cameron.
"Good morning, Ms. Kane," he said smoothly. "Mr. Ashford asked me to drive you home."
"Where is he?" I asked.
"He left early. Urgent matters at the office."
I nodded, but the answer sank heavier than I thought it would. No goodbye. I thought we had a moment last night. I almost expected… something.
Mr. Cameron walked me to the car and drove.
The car rolled through familiar streets, and as we neared The Velvet Mug, I leaned forward. "Stop here. Thanks."
The moment my feet hit the pavement, my chest tightened. Chaos. Tables dragged onto the street, chairs stacked carelessly.
"What the—"
"Selena!" Riley darted out of nowhere, grabbed my arm, and yanked me into the shadow of the alley.
"You shouldn't be here."
"Riley, why are they throwing our things out?"
She hesitated, then shoved her phone into my hand.
Messages: 'Ashford Holdings' Thread
Notice of Land Redevelopment – Williamsburg Sector.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Kane,
This is a final notice regarding the redevelopment plans for the property currently leased under "The Velvet Café." As the original contractor has withdrawn, our company now holds full development rights.
– Ashford Enterprises.
Ashford. My stomach dropped.
"They didn't want to tell you," Riley whispered quickly. "Your parents have been trying to fight it. It looks like the contractor fled too so Ashford Enterprises has full development rights.
Ethan and I are handling it. So calm down and don't say a word to them.The café will be fine."
I wanted to scream, to demand answers, but Riley was already hailing a cab. "Go home. Get changed. I'll call you later." She shoved me inside before I could argue.
I watched as my family's cafè—my childhood,birthdays, early mornings, Mum's caramel steam, was being packed into boxes by strangers.
The Ashfords weren't just a scandal in the papers anymore. They were tearing into my life.
And the only person who came to mind to help… was Jayden Ashford.
Jayden's POV
I buried myself in the mess on my desk. Quill & Co. had filed another suit. It was frivolous and desperate yet again but relentless. They knew they wouldn't win, but their constant filings drained time, money, and headlines.
"Cameron," I said, scanning the stack of reports, "what about the new PR team?"
"They've contained most of it, sir. The judge dismissed their latest motion, but… not before the media caught wind."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "And Daniel?"
"Still chasing loose ends."
"I need a new legal assistant. Now. How's the search?"
"Still ongoing, sir."
I was about to respond when a knock came at the door. Selena stepped inside. Still in yesterday's clothes, hair tousled like she'd rushed straight here. Cameron excused himself, leaving us alone.
"I came to return the dress," she said, holding up the bag.
I smirked. "I told Cameron to tell you to keep it. Consider it a gift."
She didn't move. Just stood there, silent, like she was weighing something heavy.
I slid the Quill & Co. case to her. "Tell me what you see."
Her eyes scanned fast, quick and precise. Thirty seconds, maybe less, before her lips curved faintly. "It's amateur work."
My brow lifted. "And how exactly do you know that?"
"Because no competent attorney buries the actual breach under six pages of irrelevant precedent. Whoever filed this wanted noise, not a win."
She was right. Sharper than Daniel, the Stanford Analyst who'd wasted three days chasing the same flaw.
The question slipped out before I could stop it.
"How about you become my legal assistant? You did say you're into corporate law. The pay would make you a multi-millionaire by Christmas."
I was still searching for ways to convince her when she cut me off.
"Fine," she said. Then, firmly: "But I have a condition."
I leaned back in my chair. "Go on."
"My parents' café. The Velvet Mug." Her voice sharpened.
Your family's company bought the entire block in the Williamsburg sector for redevelopment. Their café is a part of it.
Her chin lifted, her eyes unflinching. "That building is my parents' life. The Velvet Mug is all they have and I won't let it be taken."
The way she looked at me steady and unblinking tightened something in my chest I didn't want to examine.
"That's under my parents sector but I can pull some strings." I said slowly.
"Then let's do this properly."
Her eyes narrowed. "Properly?"
"You'll be my legal assistant here, and my fiancée out there. Six months. That keeps attention off you from Quill & Co. and the public. And we'll need to be caught on camera a few times to make our relationship believable." I let the words hang.
"Also there are rules."
Her brow arched. "Rules?"
"Yes." I signaled Cameron back in. He entered, silent, and set a draft contract on the desk.
"One. You can't back out. Once you're in, you're in."
"Two." I tapped the paper. "No press. No leaks. No one outside this company should know you're my legal assistant.
Her throat moved as she swallowed. Still silent.
"The last, and most important: you must not be seen with anyone else."
The words tasted sharper than I intended. Too personal. For a moment, defiance flashed in her eyes, but I ignored it, pushing the final clause across the table.
"The Ashford family agrees to permanently relinquish any claim or future involvement with The Velvet Mug."
Her gaze dropped to the page. Her fingers tightened on the paper.
"And," I added, voice flat, "if you breach this agreement, you pay the price. Half a billion. Non-negotiable."
Selena let out a sharp laugh,laced with disbelief. "That's not a rule. That's extortion."
"And trust me," I leaned forward, voice low, "you won't win that lawsuit."
Her jaw clenched, but her eyes didn't waver.
"Fine," she said at last, her voice firm. "Deal. But you will pay for all the damage your people caused."
"Definitely," I replied, taking the pen.
Selena's POV
Just as I signed, my phone buzzed.
Ethan.
Riley told me you went to meet Jayden Ashford.
I'll explain everything in person.
But please be careful.
Jayden isn't who you think he is. He's dangerous.
The man who filed the original complaint that sparked the investigation on his identity recently was found dead, dumped in the woods last week. He was brutally killed too.
Sel, whatever you do, don't get too close to Jayden,or the Ashford's. Please.
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My breath caught.
Jayden smirked, clasping my hand. "Nice doing business with you, again."
The contract was my only chance to save the Velvet Mug, but Ethan's warning rang in my ears.
He's dangerous, Sel. Stay away
But I couldn't.
Not anymore.
At least…
not for the next six months.