Grayson had never expected that while Ashley was pressing for divorce , she had also gotten close to Sam , the rising star of the tech world . What was she thinking ? Did she really believe that as a divorced woman with a child , she could still climb so high ? Upstairs , James gently swirled the wine in his glass , lifting it with elegance to his nose but never taking a sip . Watching the drama below , his lips curved into an amused smile . Now this was a show worth watching . " You're just going to stand there ? " someone beside him asked .. James answered with sincerity . " I can't beat them ." Down below , Tyson could hardly believe what he was seeing . Ashley had gone to Sam's company applying as a cleaner , and somehow ended up as Sam's assistant ? Tyson didn't buy it . To him , the idea of his breathtaking younger sister being at the side of a young , ambitious man like Sam could only mean one thing - she had used her beauty to seduce him . He hadn't expected that even after prison , when she no longer had the glow of her days as a rich heiress , she could still manage something like this . For a fleeting moment , Tyson felt something shift inside him . At the very least , his anger cooled , and when he spoke again , it wasn't nearly as harsh . " Mr. Sam , I'm Ashley's brother . She's always been reckless . I never thought she'd be working for your company . " Sam looked at him calmly . " Is there something specific you're worried about , Mr. Shanks ? " Tyson forced a smile . " Just afraid she might cause you trouble . " " Relax , " Sam replied . " Ashley never causes trouble ." Never . No one around them noticed the weight hidden in those words . IT ! 7/2 09:56 Wed , Sep 17 D 68 % Sam hadn't intended to interrupt . He had only wanted to bring Ashley closer , let her listen in , learn more . " Carry on , everyone , " he said . " I just want my assistant to listen as well ." Grayson's face had grown darker and darker , while Yvonne kept glancing at him , searching for any trace that he still cared about Ashley . During the second half , Yvonne spoke far less . Her attention shifted almost entirely to watching Grayson , to catching his every flicker of expression . When the event moved forward , guests were seated for dinner . Amid the clinking of glasses and toasts , two awards were presented . The first was the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award , presented by the head of an old and prestigious family . The second was the Outstanding Industry Talent Award , presented by Sam himself . Grayson received the first , Yvonne the second As the two stood on stage , smiling for photos under thunderous applause , Sam joined in the clapping with a polite smile . Only Ashley remained unmoved . Her eyes swept the crowd . James was nowhere to be seen , Sam leaned close and murmured , " These awards are mostly just favors in the circle . Whoever's got a big project coming up , the award goes to them . " Ashley smiled gently . " The presenter matters more than the award itself . " " All thanks to your algorithm , " Sam replied . " That's what gave me a rock - solid place in the industry . Shows how smart I was back then - clinging tight to your leg . Otherwise , how could I have today ? " Back then , she had never seen that kind of potential in him . To her , he was just another programmer - quiet , reserved , a little sharper than most , but nothing more . " You've really surprised me these past years , " she admitted . Sam shrugged lightly . " Had no choice . A company this size needs someone to stand out front . And as for the real powerhouse - someone like him - our business is just pocket change . How could he care about us ? " You spent those years wrapped up in romance . By the way , when are you going to bring your man out so I can finally meet him ? " Ashley's gaze drifted faintly toward Grayson . Funny . Back then , Grayson had insisted their relationship and marriage remain private . Now , that very secrecy saved her from becoming the butt of everyone's jokes . " Divorced , " she said evenly . 2/3 09:56 Wed , Sep 17 Sam shot up to his feet so abruptly that his chair scraped loudly across the floor . Every head turned . Sam didn't notice , his face alight with excitement . " Divorced ? Really ? " The entire hall had heard . And now every eye was on Ashley . Tyson wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole . But Sam clapped his hands together , delighted , " Good . I always thought that guy didn't deserve you ." At the table , Yvonne gently patted Grayson's hand . " They look like old acquaintances . " Grayson's jaw tightened . " Impossible . She couldn't have known someone like Sam ." Yvonne said no more . Sam was someone they could not afford to offend . And the project in her hands - the one she was leading - still lacked the very thing Ashley once created : a powerful algorithm . Send Gifts 10 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.