Chapter 873 This Could Be Our Last Time

Ashley frowned slightly.

Was she imagining things, or had William changed somehow? His usually cold, indifferent gaze had softened, as if the sharp edges had been worn away. He was now gentle and serene, almost peaceful, as though nothing fazed him

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"What's going on?" she asked, her voice low.

William explained in a measured tone and laid out his plans methodically.

Ashley listened, her wariness turning to confusion, then shock. By the time he finished, all she could do was sigh, the complexity of her emotions was evident.

Ashton, who had been listening in silence, couldn't hold back any longer. Her eyes reddened as tears welled up.

It was 10.30 PM when they left Pearl Bay. The cool night air hit William, triggering another bout of coughing. Ashton quickly opened the car door. "Mr. Middleton."

William hesitated, then reached for his phone and sent Emelie a message. "Do you need me tonight?"

Her reply came quickly. Though her text was short, he could sense the mockery in her words. "Mr. Middleton, you're getting rather good at this."

He smiled as he typed, "Not good enough. You're my only client. I need more practice to truly perfect it."

This time, Emelie didn't respond even though several minutes had passed. William assumed that she didn't need him tonight, so he got into the car.

William noticed Ashton's concerned expression, and he waved it off. "It's inevitable. I'm just preparing in advance. You and Fabian have been loyal to me all these years. You'll get what you deserve."

Ashton opened her mouth as if to say something but quickly turned away, wiping away the tears in her eyes.

William's phone buzzed again. He took it out and saw Emelie's text. "Have you showered? I'm particular about cleanliness."

He chuckled and texted, "Where are you?"

She sent him a location. "You've got an hour."

William frowned slightly as he checked the address. She turned to Ashton and said, "Take me home to Sunnington Hill, then you can call it a night."

"Yes, sir," Ashton said.

After a quick shower at home, William drove himself to the location Emelie had sent.

It wasn't her office or the old house. Instead, it was a route leading to the airport. A narrow, overgrown path branched off, shrouded in darkness. It was long abandoned with no streetlights in sight.

Deep in the shadows, a van sat with its front and rear lights on. Jodie and the bodyguards stood nearby, keeping watch.

William parked his car.

Jodie and the guards didn't acknowledge him and continued their rounds as he approached and got into the van.

Inside, Emelie was sitting on the leather seat looking at her tablet. As William shut the door, he asked, "Are you heading out? Where to?"

Emelie twirled a stylus between her fingers. "Mr. Middleton, after helping me with so much of my work, have you really not heard about one of my factories having an issue?"

William relaxed, stepping closer to her. "The stolen jewelry? Does that really require your personal attention Just as he leaned in, Emelie climbed onto him and silenced him with a kiss. "No more talking."

"

She hadn't intended to see him tonight, but since he had offered and she had time, there was no harm. But if they were going to do this, he needed to stop talking.

The backseat of the van had a small bed. It was small, but the tight space brought them closer.

Whether it was the outdoor setting or the knowledge that there were others nearby, there was a palpable tension between them. Their awareness was heightened, and once wasn't quite enough.

Afterward, William wiped them both clean with wet tissues. He bent down and kissed the corner of her eye gently. She still looked flushed.

"When will you be back?" he asked.

Emelie's heart hadn't quite settled. She remained silent for a moment, then said, "Not for a while. Once this is sorted, I'm flying straight to Mercianna."

For the wedding.

She opened her eyes and met his gaze. "Mr. Middleton, this could be our last time. Or maybe not. But if it isn't, next time you'll be sleeping with a married woman. You'll officially be 'the other man'."