CEO's Contract Obsession-Chapter 295: The Deal Is Off

Amy found herself bewildered by Nana Minerva’s sorrowful expression, as it was the first time she had ever seen the elderly woman in such a state. Amy had always known her as a cheerful person, the one who encouraged Ash to smile.

"Okay, Nana, we’ll do our best, won’t we, Ava?" Amy said, and Ava nodded in agreement.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Nana Minerva could no longer suppress her tears and began to sob. "Lucas is sick," she managed to say between sobs. "Asher’s aunt asked me to persuade him to come back to the mansion because he doesn’t listen to anyone. So, I decided to return here. I told Lucas that I was feeling lonely at home since all my children have left, and being a widow, he allowed me to stay here."

Amy and Ava were taken aback by the news. They immediately embraced Nana Minerva, holding her tightly until her tears subsided. "Oh, dear Nana," they whispered, offering comfort and solace.

"Asher may not listen to me or Amy anymore, but you, Ava, might have a chance to persuade him to return here," Minerva suggested with a glimmer of hope. "However, Lucas doesn’t want anyone to know about his condition. He’s stubborn, but there was a time when he collapsed, and the butler discovered the truth from his doctor and informed his sister-in-law."

Minerva wiped away her tears and continued, "I’m getting old, and my children need me too, so I can’t stay here for long. My plan is to stay until Asher comes back. Lucas’s health is deteriorating, and it would be best if father and son could spend some time together while they still can."

Ava let out a sigh, sensing the burden that weighed upon Nana Minerva as she sobbed once more. "Alright, Ma’am, I will give my utmost effort to persuade him, and I believe I have an idea of how to do it," Ava assured her.

"Ava, you can call me Nana, just like Ash and Amy do," Nana Minerva replied, her voice filled with affection. "Now, girls, I must leave before they start searching for me. I hope you both find what you’re seeking," she said, bidding them farewell as she walked out of the room.

Overwhelmed by the mounting difficulties, Amy let herself collapse onto the bed, burying her face in her hands. "This is spiraling out of control, Ava," she lamented. "We came here hoping to find a solution, not to be bombarded with more insurmountable problems. It’s becoming utterly chaotic."

Taking a seat beside Amy, Ava spoke softly, "Amy, Ash asked me to live with him."

Amy abruptly sat up, her eyes wide with surprise. "What?!" she exclaimed.

"Don’t get too excited just yet. Listen to me first," Ava cautioned. "If I accept Ash’s offer and move in here, we’ll have more time to investigate, won’t we? What do you think?"

Amy furrowed her brow, torn between applauding Ava for her quick thinking on how to leverage the situation to their advantage and smacking her head to jolt her out of the possibility that she might not have fully grasped what Ash had just offered her.

"Really, Ava? That’s what’s on your mind at this moment?" Amy retorted, her disbelief evident. "Ash just proposed that you two live together, and all you can think about is work? Are you even listening to yourself?"

Amy rolled her eyes and lay back down on the bed. To her surprise, Ava chuckled. "I’m glad and flattered that he made that offer, but my priority right now is to help both him and you," Ava explained. "Besides, I’ll also benefit from it, so I’m just being realistic here."

"How on earth are you going to convince him to move back here? He despised this place, which is why he bought a penthouse. Plus, his relationship with his father is far from amicable. It would take a miracle for him to consider returning," Amy expressed doubtfully to Ava.

"This time it’s different," Ava replied confidently. "He has Beethoven."

"Beethoven? Who’s that?" Amy inquired, puzzled.

"His Labrador Retriever. He named him Beethoven," Ava explained. "If Ash sees that Beethoven loves it here, then maybe I can persuade him. Dogs love space to run and play, right? So, they would appreciate a large backyard, something his penthouse lacks."

Amy’s skepticism softened as she considered Ava’s plan. "Well, it might just work. Let’s give it a try and see if Beethoven can become our secret weapon."

"Hmm... You’re quite the genius, Ava!" Amy exclaimed. "Let’s go and train Beethoven on how to win over his dad."

Amy and Ava left the room, heading off in search of Beethoven. They recalled leaving him in the care of one of the maids earlier.

As the two ladies made their way towards the mansion’s front yard, eager to locate Beethoven as instructed by the butler, Ava suddenly heard shouting and a loud bang coming from the opposite direction of the door they were about to cross. Her steps faltered, and turned her gaze to that place puzzled and unsure of what could be happening.

Feeling a surge of unease, Ava quickly reached out and gripped Amy’s wrist, preventing her from stepping through the door. Amy, oblivious to the loud sounds, had been engrossed in a story shared by the butler as they approached the mansion’s main entrance. Startled by Ava’s sudden action, Amy abruptly halted and looked at her friend, puzzled.

As the realization of the commotion dawned on Amy, her eyes widened, and her heart began to race in tandem with Ava’s. They both understood that something unexpected and potentially alarming was occurring just beyond that door. A mixture of apprehension and curiosity now filled Amy’s laughter-free expression.

"Henry..."

"Ash..."

Amy and Ava could only manage a few brief words before their instinct propelled them toward the source of the noise. However, they abruptly halted in their tracks as Ash and Henry emerged from the right-wing hallway of the mansion. The tense atmosphere hung in the air, leaving Amy and Ava anxious and uncertain.

"Come on, Ava. We shouldn’t have come here," Ash stated with a sense of urgency. "Grab Beethoven, and I’ll get my car. I’m sorry, Amy, but the deal is off."

Before Amy could respond, Ash swiftly made his way toward the left wing, where the garage was located. Henry attempted to follow him, calling out to Ash, but Lucas firmly grasped his arm, shaking his head as a signal for him to stop. The unfolding events left Amy and Ava bewildered, uncertain of what had just occurred and what it meant for their plans.

Amy’s concern compelled her to seek answers from Henry and Lucas. "What is happening? What was all that shouting about?" she inquired, her voice filled with urgency and confusion.

In response, Henry ran his hands through his hair and then rubbed his face with frustration, his exasperation evident. He let out a frustrated curse, indicating the intensity of the situation and his own irritation. The air was thick with tension, leaving Amy and Ava with a growing sense of unease and anticipation for an explanation.

With a heavy heart, Lucas apologized to Ava, acknowledging the unfortunate turn of events. "Ava, my dear, I’m sorry it has come to this. Please follow Ash’s instructions. I will speak with you soon. Thank you for visiting me, and it was a genuine pleasure to meet you," Lucas expressed, embracing Ava in a farewell hug.

Amy, feeling a growing sense of confusion and concern, shifted her gaze between Henry and her Uncle Lucas, waiting for an explanation that remained elusive. Her hope for clarity wavered as the silence persisted.

In the midst of the uncertainty, Nana Minerva approached Lucas, sensing his distressed state. His pallor and signs of dizziness were evident, raising further alarm. Nana Minerva’s presence offered a glimmer of comfort and support in the midst of the unfolding uncertainty.

"Mr. Brighton, I believe it would be wise for you to rest," Nana Minerva advised, offering her assistance to Lucas. She then turned her attention to Amy, expressing her suggestion that it would be best for Amy and her husband to depart as well. Her non-verbal communication conveyed a message of concern, implying that Lucas was unwell due to his illness.

Amy acknowledged Nana Minerva’s words with a nod, comprehending the gravity of the situation. She addressed Lucas with genuine care, "Uncle Lucas, I will come to visit you again soon. Take care of yourself, alright?"

With Henry in tow, Amy firmly held onto him, noticing his distant gaze. She then requested the butler’s assistance, instructing him to arrange for their car to be brought around promptly. The butler promptly complied, understanding the urgency of the situation.

Amy and Henry stood in silence, their presence punctuated by the grandeur of the mansion’s main door and the quiet hum of anticipation. As they waited for their car to arrive, Amy’s eyes continuously shifted towards Henry, sensing the weight of the situation through his sighs and head-shaking. His visible frustration conveyed the seriousness and complexity of the circumstances without needing words to articulate them.

Amy could discern the gravity of the moment by observing Henry’s demeanor. The unspoken understanding between them only deepened the sense of unease and uncertainty that surrounded them as they stood by the mansion’s majestic entrance.