After Death, Love Unveiled (Elara and Lysander)
Unveiled 183

Chapter 183

Daphne turned her head, looking at Asher. "Do you need something else?"

Asher asked, "Didn't you say you were here to replace a job? What position did you apply for?"

Daphne froze for a moment, her eyes widening. "Is Mr. Blackwood trying to pull some strings behind my back? Your company is so big. Surely it won't stop me from landing a job, right?"

Seeing her tense expression, Asher smirked slightly. "Applying to work at your ex's company? You've got guts."

Pressing her lips together, Daphne replied, "What choice do I have? You know I can't survive in this city. I'm a Queensun University graduate, Asher. With my grades, I could get a job anywhere, but..."

She laughed bitterly as she mentioned it, then added, "It's true I'm the reason you and Elara broke up. But Asher, aren't you just as much the reason I ended up like this? If it weren't for you I wouldn't have offended Elara either." Daphne's long hair hung loose, clearly unkempt, evidence that life hadn't been treating her kindly.

Asher studied her, memories of their college days flashing through his mind: the two of them juggling part-time jobs, talking about their dreams for the future.

Back then, he had declared he would dominate the internet industry, while she had vowed to make her mark in the financial

sector.

Those aspirations had carried them through those hard days, no matter how tough things got. But now, so much had changed. Looking at Daphne now, Asher felt nothing but disdain.

"You could've stayed in Brookfield," he said coldly. "No one would've bothered you there."

"Brookfield?" Daphne echoed. "Why would you think I could make it in Brookfield? That's the Kensington family's territory.

"Their word carries even more weight there. If I can't survive here in Starfield City, what makes you think I could in Brookfield?"

She took a deep breath and continued, "You don't need to ask what position I applied for. I won't come to your company."

Asher watched her pitiful display and replied, "It's just a job. I never said you couldn't have one. You can come."

Daphne was surprised by his response. "Asher, I..." Her voice softened, gratitude evident in her tone.

Worried she might misunderstand, Asher quickly added, "Don't think I still have feelings for you. I just want to see how pitiful you look groveling in front of me." Daphne gazed at him and simply said, "Thank you."

Although Asher claimed he wanted to punish Daphne, just getting into his company was already a win for her. She was terrified of being ignored by him. Even if he hated her, it was better than indifference. At least this way, she wouldn't be invisible to him.

Asher arranged a job for Daphne. With her Queensun University degree, she could've easily taken on any role. Instead, he assigned her to the reception desk. When Daphne thought about how she'd graduated from Queensun University only to end up as a receptionist, she couldn't help but laugh bitterly to herself. He might really still hate her!

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Chapter 183

'Asher sure knows how to humiliate me. He really must still hate me, she thought.

Daphne knew this was his way of tormenting her, but she didn't mind. 'Once he's no longer angry, everything will get better, she reassured herself. With that thought, Daphne settled into her role as a receptionist at Asher's company.

*****

On Friday afternoon, Elara was still busy in her office. The weekend was just around the corner, and she was looking forward to finally taking a break. With her father and Lysander both away, she was contemplating inviting Natalie to hang out when her phone rang Answering it, she said, "Hello?" Felicity's voice came through. "Elara, Zavala's hosting dinner tonight. Want to join us?"

Ever since Elara married Lysander, Felicity had made a point of including her in all the family gatherings.

Since Elara was now part of the Hawthorne family, she needed to learn to integrate into it.

Zavala's dinner invitation was a rare occurrence, so Elara agreed without hesitation. "Sure, send me the address, and I'll head over when I can." "Got it Felicity replied.

Shortly after, a notification popped up on Elara's WhatsApp. Felicity had sent her the location. As Elara left her office, she. ran into Adair, who was with Asher.

The last time Asher visited, Elara had been dismissive toward Adair, leaving the latter sulking for days.

Elara hadn't expected to see Asher seeking her out again so soon, though it was hardly surprising.

Asher had always been like this, pretending not to care about her while stringing her along just enough to keep hope alive.

Adair and Asher seemed to be chatting, with Adair smiling briefly before she spotted Elara. Her expression quickly shifted to one of guilt, as though she'd been caught red-handed. Elara ignored them, stepping into the elevator as if she hadn't seen them at all.

Asher's gaze lingered on Elara. She was wearing a slightly longer skirt today, her slim legs visible beneath the hemline, catching his attention in a way he couldn't ignore.

When Elara reached the elevator, she turned her head, meeting Asher's eyes.

Noticing him staring, she quickly looked away and pressed the button for her floor. Moments later, the elevator doors closed.

Standing beside Asher, Adair said, "Elara's gone. Let's leave too."

Elara got off work rather late today.

Asher's focus shifted to Adair. "Sure," he said.

For some reason, perhaps human nature, Asher found himself wanting what he couldn't have. Compared to Adair, who was always eager to get close to him, Elara's aloofness made her all the more captivating. The less attention she paid him, the more he wished she'd spare him a glance.

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Chapter 183

Elara arrived at the restaurant. The two ladies of the Hawthorne family were already there, with Zavala chatting with Felicity

When Zavala saw Elara walk in, she greeted her warmly. "Hi, Elara!"

Elara approached them. "Hello, Zavala. Hello, Felicity"

Zavala gestured for Elara to sit beside her. "Come, sit down. I need to ask you something"

Once Elara was seated, Zavala leaned in slightly. "Adair says she's dating someone. Have you met her boyfriend?

Elara hadn't expected such a direct question. Not wanting to say anything definitive about Adair, she replied cautiously. Tm not sure."

"Aren't you her colleague? You haven't heard anything? She's been acting strange lately: Zavala turned to Felicity as she said this last part. Then, looking back at Felicity, Zavala began venting. "She tried testing me before, saying she had a friend whose boyfriend's family wasn't well-off.

"I figured that 'friend' was just her. And now, not long after, she's saying she's in a relationship. There's definitely something going on."

Elara quietly signaled the waiter for a glass of water, listening silently to their conversation. Based on the way Adair and Asher interacted earlier, Elara guessed they might be involved.

Still, when it came to Asher, Elara decided to keep her opinions to herself and act as though she didn't know anything. She wasn't entirely sure what kind of relationship the two had anyway. Zavala turned back to Elara. "Elara, you work at the law firm. Keep an eye on Adair for me, will you? She's always been a bit naive, and you know how devious men can be these days. "Who knows what they're plotting? Her parents are both so busy that they don't have time to watch over her. I have to keep an eye on her myself."