Chapter 193

‘I didn’t bribe anyone! It’s a legal document. You can verify it at the notary's office! I—’ Franklin choked on his own words. A rough cough cut him off. His neck flushed red, and sweat clung to the edge of his hairline. Ashton said nothing. His eyes moved slowly over Franklin, like he was waiting for the performance to continue. Franklin tried again, repeating the same defence, then again, rearranging the sentences. Ashton stopped listening. ‘That’s enough,’ he said flatly. ‘Looks like you didn’t listen to a single word during our last conversation.’ Franklin blinked. ‘Wh-what do you mean?’ ‘I mean I had someone watching you. And your wife. Your nephew. Your niece. That fake lawyer you dragged in whose licence was pulled last year. The accountant moving your assets offshore. All of them.’ He tapped his phone. ‘Would you like the photos or the audio first?’ Franklin froze. Then he started shaking. His lips parted but nothing came out. Ashton’s mood lifted. Slightly. He gave it a few se