The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes
Chapter 71- Give it a rest

Chapter 71: Chapter 71- Give it a rest

"Why did it take you so long to come back?"

Charles was already waiting when Janet stepped out of the elevator. He gently pulled her hand away from the corner of her eye and immediately noticed the redness—she’d been crying.

"Did you run into someone else down there?"

Charles asked sharply. It was just a simple trip downstairs to hand over a key—there shouldn’t have been any emotional turmoil like this.

"Charles... I want to hug you," Janet sniffled. Without a second thought about where they were or who might be watching, she threw herself into his arms. The familiar scent on him, the broad chest, the embrace that always made her feel safe—at that moment, all she wanted was to hold him tightly.

"What’s going on?"

Charles chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around her. Janet was rarely this forward, especially not in the office. But she didn’t say anything more, and he didn’t push her.

"Charles, I really, really like you,"

she mumbled against his chest, her voice barely louder than a whisper. But Charles still heard every word.

"How much do you like me?"

he murmured by her ear, teasing her gently.

"Like... so, so much,"

Janet didn’t know how to express it properly. He was the first man she’d ever fallen for—and she knew he’d be the last. She loved his maturity, his dominance, the way he was cold on the outside but warm underneath. And because he had such a cold, heartless father... she wanted to give him more love than he ever thought possible.

"I’ll wait for the day you finally tell me you love me,"

Charles said softly, running his fingers through her hair. He wasn’t going to force her. He was willing to wait. If love meant he had to give more—then so be it. His Janet was someone to be pampered, cherished, and adored.

"Mm."

Janet nodded against his chest. She’d already chosen him. She just couldn’t bring herself to say those three little words—not yet. But not saying it didn’t mean she didn’t love him.

"Bro, did you go see Zoey again?"

Elvira called out lazily, lying on the sofa with her long legs crossed and a face mask on. When Ternence walked in looking completely deflated, she couldn’t help teasing him.

Right now, things were a mess between Harold and Anila. After a huge fight, Anila had stormed back to her parents’ place. And in the Louis family mansion, Elvira had no one left to talk to.

"No. And I won’t go looking for her again."

Ternence yanked off his tie in frustration and slumped onto the sofa across from Elvira. Since when did this pampered little sister of his start caring about his personal life?

"I knew she was no good from the start. Breaking up with her was the right call."

Elvira scoffed. She’d never liked Zoey. From the first time that woman visited the Louis family estate, she acted like everything here was beneath her. Please—did she even know her own worth? As if dating Ternence was some kind of sacrifice!

"Has Mom come back yet?"

Ternence quickly changed the subject. He didn’t want to hear that woman’s name again. She’d made it clear from the start—it was just a fling. And he, as a man, wasn’t going to beg or humiliate himself to win her back. But now, with the Louis Corporation in deep trouble, he wasn’t the confident, arrogant man he used to be.

"Not yet. You should talk to her, Bro. Mom listens to you the most,"

Elvira said, a rare trace of concern in her voice. "I heard Grandpa even got sick from fighting with Dad. Is it really that bad this time?"

Elvira could sense the gravity of the situation. Sure, their parents had had fights before, but Anila was always rational—she would never just storm off like this unless it was serious.

"Give it a rest. You’re not helping."

Ternence raked his fingers through his hair and stood up, slinging his jacket over his shoulder. "By the way... you didn’t tell Janet, did you?"

"Why would I? She’s not really part of this family anyway. Besides, that woman—she turned her back on us in a blink! She slapped me in the face that day, and I still haven’t gotten over it!"

"You regret it now, but why didn’t you treat her better when you had the chance?"

Ternence shot back immediately. He truly cared for Janet, treating her like his own little sister. From the first time she came to the Louis home—so quiet, so obedient, her skin pale like snow—he’d liked her far more than his own spoiled, sharp-tongued sister.

"I regret not finishing her off when I had the chance!"

Elvira ripped off her face mask and yelled at him. If it hadn’t been for Janet, she could’ve married Philip and gotten closer to Charles. But now? It was too late for regrets.

Ternence paused for a moment before going upstairs and making a call to Janet. She cared about the family—especially him. Even if she’d distanced herself from them, she could never truly look away.

He didn’t tell her much about the company’s situation. That was a man’s problem—he didn’t want Janet getting involved.

But when Janet later brought it up again with Charles, even though she knew he was the kind of man who never changed his mind once it was made, she still tried to talk him into helping. What surprised her most... was the insider news that came from Charles’s mouth.

The one stepping up to help the Louis Corporation weather its financial crisis...

was ZT Group.

She’d read about that company before. And she knew very well who its founder was—

Manfred.

"You wanted to see me?"

Peggy arrived at the location Manfred had specified. He was standing behind the bar, smack in the center, hands deftly shaking a cocktail mixer. Dressed in a black shirt with a silver vest layered over it, he looked effortlessly charming. What surprised her the most—

Manfred knew how to make cocktails?

With practiced ease, Manfred slid a freshly mixed drink in front of her, then stepped smoothly out from behind the counter and perched on one of the tall bar stools beside her.

"Peggy," he began, his tone calm but firm, "If you really see me as your brother, then listen to me—stay away from August. He’s not the one for you."

He raised a glass of brandy, downing it in a single gulp. His eyes stayed fixed ahead, not looking at her, but his words carried the weight of something deeper.

He couldn’t bear to watch August suffer anymore. Couldn’t let him be hurt again.

Not when he knew—if August fell for someone who didn’t truly love him, it would destroy him.

"Janet told me the same thing," Peggy murmured, her voice light but tinged with uncertainty. She was starting to sense it too—that man in white, always so quiet, always so calm—there had to be something hidden, something no one else could endure.

But to her, he wasn’t some walking tragedy.

He was just... clean. Pure.

Peggy had never been the kind of girl to force things. And if what Janet said was true—if this wasn’t really love she was feeling—then maybe, just maybe, she could let go.

"Don’t worry," she smiled, lifting the glass in front of her. "Until I’m sure about my own feelings, I won’t go near him again."

She downed the cocktail quickly, but the warmth in her chest wasn’t from the alcohol.

Everyone was telling her to stay away from August...

And suddenly, she had the urge to cry.

Manfred made a call and had Simon come to keep Peggy company. Then, without another word, he slipped out into the night.

His crimson Maybach roared down the open roads, but no amount of speed could stir that familiar rush of adrenaline in him.

One hand resting against his jaw, Manfred narrowed his eyes as the city lights blurred past the window.

Then, with a sudden swerve, he turned the wheel.

Destination—underground racetrack.

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