Chapter 143

I cracked the door open the moment I heard footsteps. Kept it barely ajar, just enough to see Franklin bolt down the stairs like his arse was on fire. I couldn’t catch his expression. No clue if he’d gotten what he came for or if Ashton had kicked him to the kerb. I stepped out. Ashton came out of the study at the same time. ‘Did you check your phone?’ I rushed towards him. ‘You didn’t actually give him that project, did you? Tell me you didn’t agree to work with that dodgy little shipping company.’ He kept walking, straight towards the staircase. What did that silence mean? My stomach clenched. I didn’t know the ins and outs of his business deals, but Franklin was slick and shameless. ‘Wait—seriously? You didn’t fall for it, did you? If you trust him, he’s going to screw you over. You really didn’t see my messages?’ Still nothing. Not a word. He headed downstairs. I followed, practically breathing down his neck. The stairs were narrow, polished, and I was barefoot. I stepped on the ba