Chapter 5 Who Is She (Part One)

Ashley tried recollecting all the information about Jasper that she had managed to gather. He was thirty-one, and graduated with a master's degree from Columbia University. The man was Ashley's schoolmate-her senior.

He had been single all this while-no serious love affairs or casual flings, which was admirable. After all, the entertainment industry was tainted by notorious relationships. Many women regarded Jasper as their idol. After all, he was handsome, rich, and exuded effortless charm confidence.

But he actually had a son!

Excitement coursed through Ashley's veins when she saw the breaking news. However, she tried hard to restrain her exhilaration because not all news was meant to be published.

Jasper glanced at Ashley and realized that she was busy plotting plans in her head. His gaze shifted to the boy. Jasper's face softened; he was a different person around Nelson. "Nothing. Go back to sleep."

His voice was gentle, devoid of the usual arrogance. He swept the boy in his arms and turned his heels to leave for the bedroom. Nelson rested his head on Jasper's shoulder and looked at Ashley. "Dad, who is she?"

Jasper was stunned; his son was always indifferent to strangers. Nelson had never inquired about anyone in the past.

"She is a bad woman," Jasper spat venomously.

"Really?" Nelson's curious gaze raked across Ashley's face. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I think she is kind. She doesn't look like a bad woman."

"Nelson, you are too young to judge people. Bad people don't come with a tag." Jasper frowned as his son was behaving strangely today. He wondered what Ashley had done to him. He decided to call the doctor to check if his son was fine.

"Auntie..." Nelson's big eyes were fixed on Ashley; he wanted to say something. However, Jasper didn't want his son to spend another moment with Ashley. He carried Nelson back to his room.

As per Jasper's command, the bodyguards dragged Ashley to the room she had just stayed. They locked the room and assembled outside the door, leaving no chance for her to escape again.

Ashley felt suffocated; she couldn't comprehend what Jasper would do to her. It might be worse than death. The possibilities of what Jasper might do burdened her tired brain, and Ashley eventually fell asleep. She was exhausted. In order to get the breaking news, she hadn't slept for three days. It was an important piece of news that could increase their ratings, and she guarded it like her most prized possession.

Ashley didn't know how long she had slept. She jerked awake as a glass of cold water hit her face. Ashley shuddered and opened her eyes.

"Who are you?" barked Jasper. His sharp eyes studied her, hoping to unravel her true identity.

Ashley's frown deepened; she couldn't understand what Jasper was talking about. She whimpered and struggled to her feet.

"You entered the room because you knew about Nelson, didn't you? You charmed him into liking you. What the hell do you want?"

Ashley was amused. She thought that Jasper regarded her like a powerless ant that he could crush. However, the man feared that she was a spy sniffing into his personal life.

The endless fights and arguments had worn her out; she didn't have the strength to answer his baseless questions. "Who do you think has sent me? Anyway, in your eyes, people like me would even eat shit for money.

If I don't return on time, the news about Flora will be published tomorrow. If you let me go, I'll go back to my superior and we can find another way to deal with Flora's scandal. I think this the best solution for both of us."

Ashley bargained. She stared into Jasper's deep eyes, praying for him to agree. She was just bluffing. If she didn't come back, the news of Flora would not be published. If Ashley had known she would be caught by Jasper, she would have been more cautious.

"Are you threatening me?" Jasper arched an eyebrow and glared at her.

Even when she used Jasper's son to threaten him, he still refused to let her go.

She knew if she threatened him again, she would be dead meat.

"It's a fair deal," she said in a soft tone.

Jasper could guess Ashley's devious trick. "So, what's your plan?"

Ashley took a deep breath and summoned the strength to face him. "I know you want the footage. If you promise not to hurt me, then I can give you. There is, however, a slight problem. If I give you the footage, my superior will blame me." She swallowed and looked at Jasper's cold face before continuing, "I'll hand over what you want, and you provide a piece of news, which is of the same value to me in return.

That would be beneficial for both of us."

A dangerous smile graced Jasper's lips. "What makes you think that I would believe you? You are a paparazzo for god's sake. You make irresponsible statements and persuade people into believing what you think is right. I don't trust people like you."

"What do you want from me, Mr. Jasper?"

"It's simple. If I have something on you, I believe you won't go back on your word." Jasper made a gesture to his bodyguards. Ashley was soon surrounded by them.

She looked at them; a strange feeling settled in her stomach.

"I don't give a shit about Flora. I am her manager, and I've done my best to promote her. However, her flawless facade deserves to be broken. Her private life is full of shit, and people need to know that." Jasper's face darkened. "I can't let you release the news about Nelson. I want him to live a peaceful life."

Ashley studied Jasper's face. She understood that the boy meant the world to him; he would do anything for Nelson. She had made a grave mistake by seeing the boy and finding his relationship with Jasper.

"What do you want?" Ashley was crestfallen; she couldn't escape this time. Feigning innocence wouldn't work this time.

Jasper's eyes were fixed on Ashley. He opened the drawer of his desk and pulled out a camera. "Take off her clothes," he ordered his guards.

Without a moment's hesitation, the bodyguards pounced on her. Her flimsy shirt was shredded to pieces.

Ashley screamed and thrashed, hoping to escape from their savage assaults. But the men were strong; they stripped her in the blink of an eye. Ashley curled on the carpet and hugged herself. Tears streamed down her face; the humiliation was unbearable.