Chapter 15 At 6 PM , Briar stepped out of the house in her usual sporty outfit with her old backpack slung over one shoulder . Right at the gate , she ran into Edgar coming home from work . He looked completely drained , shoulders slumped and steps slow like he was dragging hề body forward . Seeing how beat - down he looked actually lifted Briar's mood a little . Edgar shot her a weak glare but didn't say a word . He didn't even bother asking where she was going - it was obvious he was still fuming about what had happened at the company . Briar acted like she didn't e even see him and kept walking . If she hadn't already made dinner plans with Ashton , she might've stuck around just to mess with Edgar a little more . Just as she stepped out onto the main road , Ashton's sleek car pulled up like clockwork . The window rolled down , revealing his handsome face . " Hop in , Briar , " he said casually, like it was something they did every day . " Alright , " she said , a slight twitch at the corner of her lips . She slid into the passenger seat without hesitation . The car didn't stay parked long . It pulled away smoothly before anyone from the Jennings family had the chance to notice . Well - almost anyone . Camden had just gotten back from the plastic surgery clinic and missed the whole thing . But his driver caught a glimpse of the woman with long hair getting into a luxury car with a license plate he definitely recognized . He thought about saying something but held his tongue after seeing Camden's sour expression . Better not get involved . In the car , Ashton asked , " What kind of food do you like ? How about Zakian cuisine ? " Briar loved spicy food , so she answered right away , " Sounds perfect . " " Great . " Ashton nodded . " A buddy of mine just opened a new Zakian cuisine place . They fly in fresh ingredients every day . Let's go try it out ." " Sure , " Briar said , smiling . About an hour and a half later , she was sitting in a private dining room on the 88th floor , overlooking the whole Shoneport waterfront . She sipped her milk and dug into the spicy Zakian cuisine spread in front of her . She actually wanted to have a drink , but Ashton had only ordered milk for her , worried that mixing alcohol with spicy food might upset her stomach . Briar - who could hold her liquor better than most - found it kind of funny , but she didn't say anything . If he wanted her to drink milk , fine . It was no big deal . The food was amazing , and she didn't hold back . Unlike most girls who picked at their food in public , Briar ate with zero self - consciousness . She had a big appetite and didn't care who was watching . Watching her eat so comfortably made Ashton eat more . After the main course , Ashton asked the restaurant manager to bring over a special dessert . " This one's not on the menu , " he said . " They only make it for VIPS . " Briar took a bite and nodded in approval . It was sweet but not overwhelming - just right after a heavy meal . " Ashton , you're being a little too nice , " she said . " This can't just be about thanking me for helping Griffin , right ? " She wasn't wrong . Ashton was a busy man - he ran all of the Wade family's businesses . There was no way he'd carve out time like this for a girl he barely knew unless there was something more going on . 1/2 13:35 . Mon, 28 Jul Oly Chapter 15 Ashton gave her a small smile . " Since you figured it out , I won't beat around the bush , " he said . " Here's the deal Just then , Briar's phone rang . Her expression shifted a little . She gave Ashton à quick , polite smile . " Sorry , I need to take this . " " No worries , " Ashton said warmly . " I'll give you some space ." He could tell it was important . He stepped out onto the balcony and lit a cigarette Briar didn't bother guessing why he was being so considerate . She quickly answered the call . " This is Bree ." " It's Sam . Bree , I need a favor , " came a clear male voice over the line . In the background , there was wind and gunfire . " I'm not taking any missions , " Briar replied calmly . " But if you need help with something else , just say the word . " This call came from the underground organization she used to work with abroad . So naturally , her whole vibe changed . Her voice was colder now - cool , sharp , and distant , not at all like how she was with Ashton . Her expression gave off a kind of calm danger , the kind one couldn't look away from even if they wanted to . Cigarette in one hand , the other resting on the balcony , Ashton turned slightly and caught a glimpse of her through the glass . For a moment , he just watched , stunned by how different she looked . But he didn't try to read her lips - he just quietly watched her hold the phone , noting how steady and graceful her hands were . A few minutes later , Briar ended the call . Her whole expression softened again as she turned toward Ashton with a smile . Ashton put out his cigarette and stepped back inside . " Hope the smoke didn't bother you , " he said . Briar shook her head . " It's fine . So - what were you going to say before the call ? " Ashton fidgeted with the ring on his thumb , thinking for a second . " Briar , I know you're a great doctor - and that you're connected with that lab . I wanted to ask if you could help me track down Tristan . I'll pay whatever it takes to get him to treat my grandfather . " Briar hesitated . " It's not that I don't want to help , but everyone's been trying to find Tristan . He's completely off the radar . Even with all my contacts , I've got nothing . " " I figured it'd be a long shot , " Ashton admitted . " But still , if you could ask around , see if someone hears something - anything - I'd really appreciate it . * He knew Briar had only agreed to treat Griffin's coma , but that wasn't the whole picture . What had really damaged Griffin's health was something that went way back - something the older generation had gotten involved in . It was messy and dangerous . And Ashton didn't want to drag someone like Briar into it . His only real hope now was finding Tristan . AD Comment Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!