Grayson had already given Yvonne the best team money could buy , poaching talent at salaries several times higher than the industry standard . And still , they couldn't move forward . Working with Ash Algorithm was the one path she couldn't avoid . Ashley pulled Sam back into his seat . " Don't make such a scene . Remember your role - you're the president , I'm just the assistant ." As her words fell , at a private table upstairs , James set down his knife and fork . He dabbed his lips with a napkin . " Is she divorced ? Did the report mention it ? " " Sir , are you saying you're interested in Ms. Shanks ? " James ' tone was calm . " I'm only interested in her kidney . " " Sir , Ms. Shanks doesn't look like someone who's about to die . You should be cautious . What if she outlives you ? " James ' expression hardened . " I've lost my appetite . " Meanwhile , downstairs , Ashley slipped away to avoid the eyes on her and headed toward the restroom . James caught a glimpse of her and quickened his pace , following . Ashley had just finished washing her hands when a tissue appeared beside her . She turned . It was James . There was something almost ghostlike about the way he appeared . " Meeting again so soon , " James said , his voice smooth . " You really are full of surprises . I thought you were just a regular person , but it turns out you were already famous as a teenage prodigy . " Ashley accepted the tissue unhurriedly . " Thanks for the compliment . " She was proud of the honors she'd won once , but that was all in the past . Now she had to start over . This time , James didn't pull out a check . His strategy had shifted . " A genius like you shouldn't die so soon . " James reached out , their hands meeting in a brief shake . At that exact moment , Tyson appeared . " Ashley , what took you so long in the restroom ? " Ashley frowned . " Tyson , were you waiting outside for me ? "" By sheer bad luck , Tyson caught sight of the handshake . He strode forward at once , placing himself squarely between Ashley and James . " Ashley , don't forget who you are . Out here , you need self - respect and dignity . " Hearing this , Ashley immediately stepped out from behind him . She took James ' arm and led him away . As they walked , she said to him , " My brother - he's the perfect beneficiary of being born into a rich family . Terminal case of male chauvinism . Won't kill him , but it makes him unbearable ." James glanced back at Tyson , left standing behind . " You dislike your brother that much ? " Ashley's voice was sharp . " He doesn't deserve the title . As a brother , he's never cared for me in the way I needed . He turned a blind eye to our father's affairs . The Shanks family will fall apart sooner or later ." James already knew the details from her file . He knew all about the scandals in the Shanks family . And Ashley - she was worthy of her background as a wealthy heiress . She had vision , perspective . But still- " Since you know what's best for your family , Ms. Shanks , why not do it ? " Ashley stopped short , her laugh cutting and cold . " Me ? Do I have that kind of right ? Since you've 09.56 Wed , Sep 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.