Sam , in front of Ashley , was entirely at ease . He grinned . " Corporate image , company face - we've got the looks , might as well use them . " " Keep it low profile , " Ashley replied . " I feel like someone's been watching me lately . I'll just wear my work clothes . I don't want to draw attention . " " What ? Someone's watching you ? Who ? I'll take care of him ," Sam said . Ashley thought for a moment . " He seems to be called James ." " ... That's someone I can't take care of , " Sam muttered . " What kind of person could you not handle ? " Ashley asked . Sam gave a helpless smile . " You really haven't heard the name James before ? " She waved off the people delivering clothes . " Never heard of him ." " Then tell me , " Sam said , " how many bosses does SamAsh have ? " Ashley answered calmly , " If nothing's changed since I went to prison , three . " " Other than you and me , who's the third ? " Ashley froze , then realized . " James ? " ) Sam snapped his fingers in front of her . " Correct . Back then , you and I brought the tech , he brought the money . Funny thing is , you two share a trait - you both only ever focus on your own work . Come to think of it , after all these years , our company's been running on just that... " He didn't get to finish . Ashley cut in . " Is he sick ? " " Hey , you can't just talk about the big boss like that , " Sam replied . " Forget it ," Ashley said . " Never mind . " From the way Sam looked , it was clear he didn't know either . That evening at the event , Ashley saw James again . The banquet hall spanned two levels . James stood on the upper floor , holding a glass of wine in those unforgettable hands of his . When Ashley came in with Sam , she spotted him immediately - and couldn't help but glance again at his glass . Could it just be water inside ? But James , seeing her appear with Sam , found his eyes flashing again . This Ashley was full of surprises . 1/3 09:55 Wed , Sep 17 68 Her bank account held a fortune , yet she showed up dressed like an ordinary office worker , standing comfortably at Sam's side like an old partner . Suddenly , a thought crossed James ' mind . " Track where SamAsh's yearly payouts to Ash have gone , " he ordered . A man behind him acknowledged the command and left . James didn't go downstairs . Below , the hall was lively . Grayson , Yvonne , Tyson , along with CEOS and top talent from the booming AI industry , had all gathered . The moment Sam appeared , conversations shifted naturally toward him . Ashley stepped to the side . She knew all these people were here for Sam . In this kind of crowd , she had no place . Grayson and Yvonne had noticed her long ago , but they stayed close to the center with Sam . Tyson wanted to join , but lacked the qualifications . He could only hover on the edges , listening to what the inner circle discussed . He hadn't seen Ashley arrive with Sam . So when he spotted her , he hurried over . At the center , Yvonne was speaking . Clearly , she was well - regarded in this circle . Every word she said drew agreement , and some even sought her advice . No denying it - Yvonne had built herself up impressively these past two years . Her confidence and poise as she spoke made her shine . Ashley listened , even finding parts of it worth learning . But then- A rough grip seized her hand . She turned , frowning . It was her older brother , dragging her toward the exit . Her brows knit , she whispered sharply , " What are you doing ? " Tyson leaned close . " I heard all about what happened at the hospital today . Ashley , you can't keep acting out . Susan is Dad's woman . Even if you don't respect her , you shouldn't have forced her to grovel . Can you really bear the consequences ? Come on , you're leaving with me ." Ashley yanked her hand free . " What do you know ? Forget it - I don't even want to waste words on you . " She turned to leave , but Tyson grabbed her again . " This isn't a place for you . Don't make a scene here . Look 2/3 09:55 Wed , Sep 17 68 % -Yvonne is a rising star in the industry . Everyone admires her , they all support her . If you fight her here , everyone will point their fingers at you . And Grayson - he's not going to stand up for you in public ." Stand up for her ? Tyson had no idea how firm her stance really was in a room like this . Sam , meanwhile , was drawn into a conversation about self - driving cars . He thought Ashley might be interested . Turning back , he realized she wasn't there . He looked around . " Mr. Sam , what are you searching for ? " Yvonne asked lightly . " My assistant , " he said . Just then , he spotted Ashley . Without hesitation , he walked straight over , took hold of her sleeve , and brought her into the circle . Send Gifts 10 1 1 L A w M. 1 NO 3 3 + 4 W Title: Cooking My Way Back to Love Author: CrushReel Genre: Modern, Revenge, Drama Status: ongoing In "Cooking My Way Back to Love" by CrushReel, Chef Leon Kennedy, once renowned as the "King of Cooking," spirals into despair following his wife's tragic demise in a car accident. Plunged into homelessness, he clings to his loyal dog as his sole anchor amidst loss and desolation. Amidst the ruins of his former life, Leon grapples with profound grief and seeks solace in the art of cooking—the very passion that once defined him. As he navigates the shadows of his past, themes of resilience, redemption, and the unyielding power of love intertwine in this modern tale of heartache and rebirth. Set against a backdrop of culinary mastery and emotional turmoil, "Cooking My Way Back to Love" delves into the depths of human emotion with raw authenticity. CrushReel skillfully crafts a narrative that captures the essence of loss and the arduous journey toward healing in a world marked by tragedy and shattered dreams. Experience the transformative journey of Chef Leon Kennedy as he rediscovers his purpose through the alchemy of flavors and emotions. Available to read online at CrushReel, this gripping drama promises a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.