Chapter 106 The Gathering
Chapter 106 The Gathering
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“Hey, look at you acting all high and mighty now! You think you’re better than us? Why don’t you go all the way and rub shoulders with the sun?” Baylon shrugged like he didn’t care at all. “Fine, let ‘em talk. Best friends stick together through thick and thin.”
“Alright, enough with the nonsense. Let’s eat first,” Quinton Lewis said as he casually tossed his cards onto the table and stood up, pushing his glasses back into place. “Even though Asher’s not going back over there anymore, this is still our first get- together since he returned. Save the banter for next time.”
With that, no one joked further, and they all headed into the adjoining private room.
Inside, the food had already been served. Several dishes were clearly rare and high–end. Baylon gave Waylon a slap on the shoulder.
“Damn, Waylon. You even managed to get your hands on this stuff? You really went all out.”
Waylon elbowed him right back. “I’m not flaky like you. Asher finally came home–you think I’m not gonna do this right? From the looks of it, he’s lost some weight these past few years. Must’ve had a rough time over there.”
It sounded casual, but just like that, the conversation turned to what everyone had really been wondering about.
Asher sat down with the same sharp, no–nonsense energy he always carried–spine straight, posture solid. Hearing Waylon’s comment, he just gave a brief, unconcerned smile. “Relax. No one’s dared step on my head. Sure, by the time I arrived, the Collins family’s influence in the military wasn’t what it used to be, but we still had our roots. Now that I’m back, everything that needed to be handled has been handled. With solid foundations, all it takes is the right care–and things can thrive again.”
“The Collins family isn’t exactly short on people, but they still sent you. That Frank Collins guy is always parading around like he’s head of the Collins Corporation–cocky as hell. Every time he shows up in front of me, he puts on that fake, holier- than–thou act. Makes me want to drag him into a back alley and beat some humility into him. If he’s so damn capable, why didn’t he go back then?” Kendrick frowned as he spoke, eyes filled with obvious disdain.
“Asher, he even told me you had almost no chance of making it back. You better not let him off easy. That guy’s like a fly- absolutely unbearable.”
Asher gave a slight nod. His demeanor stayed cold and composed, but there was an unmistakable trace of indulgence in his voice. “Alright. I’ll get revenge for Kendrick.”
“Now that’s more like it.” Kendrick finally looked satisfied, but his attention quickly shifted to Louis. “Looks like Louis‘ been getting screwed over too. That Spencer Jude guy’s been targeting him out of nowhere–and it’s like, he’s always one step ahead. It’s freaky!”
Louis was sitting to Asher’s left. As soon as Kendrick finished speaking, Louis gave Asher a gentle, innocent look. Asher leaned back in his chair, turning his head to look at Louis with something oddly close to exasperation.
“How long do you plan on waiting?”
“Well, it’s not like the guy’s been targeting me on purpose this whole time. And things are fine the way they are now. The project’s moving along–we’re close to results.” As Louis spoke, he picked up the kettle and poured Asher a glass of water.
“You’re seriously not in a rush at all,” Asher said. “But that’s fine too. Let the Graham family cool off for a while. Cutting ties clean now saves you from dealing with them later.”
Then, Asher abruptly turned to Kendrick. “You’re not a kid anymore either. How long are you planning to stick around in the entertainment industry?”
Kendrick’s eyes went wide. “Wait, wait–Asher, weren’t you just saying you’d back me up?”
