The CEO That Won My Heart

Chapter 3~ The Backer...

Harper’s P.o.v

About an hour after Ash heads upstairs to sleep, I find myself still awake, swirling the last bit of wine in my glass, my mind racing with stress. Just as I’m about to take another sip, my phone buzzes, bzzzz bzzzz bzzzz, and Dom’s name flashes on the screen. Of course, he would call now. I take a deep breath, answer, and bring the glass to my lips.

“How is she doing?” His voice is straight to business—typical Dominic. No small talk, no pleasantries.

I sigh, leaning back into my chair. “Heartbroken,” I admit honestly. “But she’s excited about going out tomorrow night. Just a heads-up, Dom—she’s planning on leaving with a hot guy, drunk or sober.” There’s no point in sugarcoating it. If he wants to get through to her, he needs to know what he’s up against.

He growls on the other end. “Well, I’ll just have to make sure she’s sober… and that it’s me she goes home with then.” His tone is possessive, determined. I knew he’d insist on her being sober, but that might be an issue.

“I’ll be real with you, Dom. She won’t be blackout drunk, but she’s not going to pass on a few drinks either. Also, in case you’re thinking of impressing her with flashy gestures—don’t. Asher isn’t that kind of girl. Expensive gifts and over-the-top romance won’t work for her. She’s not materialistic.”

“Good,” he replies without hesitation. “Women like that are usually trouble.” There’s a brief pause before he adds, “I’ll see you both tomorrow night. Oh, and Harper?”

I already know he’s about to give me some kind of warning. “Yeah?”

“Don’t let them hurt her tomorrow. In any way. If they try, you call Leon.” His voice is sharp, commanding. It’s not a request—it’s an order.

I swallow, feeling a weight in my chest. “Okay,” I say softly.

The call ends, leaving me in silence. I stared at my empty wine glass, my mind whirling. I hate that Ash doesn’t know everything happening behind the scenes right now. She’s my best friend, and I’ve been keeping secrets from her. But finally—finally—she’s going to know the truth. And knowing Ash, once she gets a whiff of something being off, she’ll start piecing things together herself.

With a sigh, I stand, placing the empty glass in the sink and tossing the wine bottle in the trash. I trudge upstairs, exhaustion pressing down on me, but my thoughts won’t quiet. Tomorrow marks the beginning of Dom’s plan to get Asher’s attention, and whether she realizes it or not, her life is about to change.

Slipping into bed, I pull the covers over me and close my eyes, but sleep doesn’t come easily. Today was stressful enough, but Andrew and Isabella pulling their stunt made it even worse. At least now, we have a chance to make things right—to get Ash away from toxic people and into the arms of a man who will truly cherish her.

Asher’s P.o.v

The sound of my alarm blaring yanks me from sleep. Groaning, I rolled over and shut it off before dragging myself out of bed. Today already feels like a disaster, and I haven’t even stepped out of my bedroom yet.

I slip into a sleek black pencil skirt and a satin red button-up blouse, tucking it in neatly. After smoothing my stockings into place, I step into my red heels, giving myself one last glance in the mirror before running a brush through my hair. It’s good enough. With a sigh, I turned and made my way downstairs.

Harper is already in the kitchen, standing beside the counter with two to-go coffees waiting.

“I’ll drive us to work today,” she says as she hands me my coffee.

I take it without protest. I’m too tired to argue. We head outside to her Ferrari and slide in. Harper doesn’t care that the car is flashy—she loves it because it’s baby blue, her favorite color.

“Let’s get this day over with already,” she mutters before taking a sip of her coffee and pulling onto the road.

The drive is a blur, and before I know it, we’re stepping into the office, heading toward my office door when Evey intercepts us.

“Asher, Harper. You have an 11 AM appointment with Andrew,” she says stiffly. She looks irritated today.

I frown. “Cancel it, please, Evey. I have too much to do.”

She shakes her head, arms crossed. “No. He said it’s mandatory.” Then her eyes narrow. “Also, I heard about the engagement. How could you, Asher?”

My stomach drops. s**t. I forgot to check the rumor they were spreading about me. Harper warned me, and I meant to look into it—but I hadn’t.

“What?” My voice is sharp.

Evey’s expression hardened. “Andrew said you left him for another man, and Isabella helped him pick up the pieces you shattered. Who is the mystery man, Asher?”

Harper doesn’t give me a chance to respond. She grips my wrist and pulls me into my office, shutting the door behind us. “Don’t fall into their drama, Ash. That’s exactly what they want. The meeting is in two hours. Let’s focus on something else—like your Top 5 goal.”

I exhaled, forcing myself to nod. She’s right. Getting worked up won’t help me.

For the next two hours, we strategize, mapping out a plan for shoots and appearances for the upcoming week. It’s a decent distraction until the clock creeps closer to my dreaded meeting with Andrew.

As Harper and I stepped into the elevator and headed to his office, unease filled in my stomach. I don’t know what Andrew is planning, and that worries me.

When we arrive, Ella is at her desk, looking unsettled. “Hey, Ella,” I greet her, but my focus is already on Andrew’s office door. Harper and I step inside, and she closes the door behind us.

Andrew sits behind his desk, a smug smirk on his face. “Oh good, your assistant is with you. I didn’t think she’d listen and show up.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “What do you want, Mr. Marsden?” My voice is cold, detached.

His smirk widens. “I wanted to inform you that next week will be your final week at Emperor. I’ll be releasing you and Harper from your contracts.”

I stiffened, shock flooding through me. “You bastard,” Harper seethes. “You’re only doing this so you can claim that Emperor did a shoot with Boutuer Jewels.”

Andrew shrugs. “May as well get one last use out of you two.”

Harper’s jaw clenches. “That’s bullshit. If you really wanted her released, you would’ve signed the paperwork already.”

Andrew leans back, pleased with himself. “Asher can’t afford 1.9 million to cancel the contract. And neither can you, Harper. You’re just a has-been.”

I swallowed hard. He’s right. I don’t have that kind of money, and I was prepared to wait it out, but now? I can’t let him use my work to claim credit for Emperor.

“She can’t,” Harper agrees. “And maybe I can’t either. But I have a backer who can.” She pulls out her phone and dials a number. “Leon, tell him it’s better than he could have hoped. Her contract is for sale right now.”

I blink, trying to process. Who the hell is Leon?

“1.9 million,” she says firmly. There’s a pause before she asks, “How long?” Another small pause. “Okay. See you in fifteen.” She hangs up and turns to Andrew. “My backer will be here with a check in fifteen minutes.”

Andrew smirks. “We’ll see if they actually show up.”

Fifteen minutes crawl by in agonizing suspense. Then the door swings open, and two men walk in.

I recognized one of them.

And my heart nearly stops...