Laying on the couch, Adaline Ashton stared at the ceiling, or maybe something beyond that. Groaning she rolled off the sofa and landed onto the auburn colored carpet face first. Pain shot through Ada’s nose and up into her brain.

Suddenly her mother was next to her, giving Ada a stern look. Even though she hadn’t said anything, Carmen Ashton shushed her daughter. The older lady murmured something into the phone and then shoved it into Adaline’s hand. Confused, she said:

"Hello, who’s there?", whilst her mother shuffled out of the room.

"There you are Ada. How are you?"

The girl directly recognized her uncle James’ voice and answered his question. They made some small talk until he said:

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"Adaline, are you listening?"

Before she could answer he said:

"Good. Please pay attention to what I’m about to say. I have an offer for you. It will have positive effects on both our lives so here’s my idea. You attend college in New York for 4 years, live with me and leave your mother and I will help you get rid of all of your money problems. In return, you will become the newest member of the Ashton Empire and help me get rid of the spotlight on the incident that happened a few years ago. Okay? Great."

Like always uncle James was answering his own questions but that was not what Ada was thinking about. New York. Collage. Ashton Empire. The Incident. Without really thinking it through, she stammered:

"Yeah, I think that should be fine."