Ashley choked on the air and coughed incessantly. Who the heck say it like this?
"I haven't done that yet. But if that's also a way, I am very much ready to do that." His calm voice rang right beside her ear.
Ashley looked at him and instantly, Michael slightly tugged her hand. His eyes met hers but he was speaking to his mother, "Mom, is that fine?"
Ashley wanted to deny that outwardly but his mother beat her to it. "Don't you even dare!"
If looks could kill, Ashley knew she would have already taken her last breath the moment she entered the mansion.
Let's say God came up on her side because her soon to be mother-in-law finally leaned back and sat quiet. Although there was no major change in her expressions.
But the silence remained for a very short while.
"What are your qualifications?" Another voice.
Another judgemental look.
It was his aunt, Laura Clark and surrounding her were her two daughters. She sat with her legs crossed while sipping her tea.
There was arrogancy written all over her face!
There was one thing about his mother's disapproving tone but this particular voice was totally filled with abhorrence.
"I have done maste-" Ashley had just begun taking when she was brutally interrupted.
"What are your family qualifications to be the daughter-in-law of this family?" It was Charlotte Brown, her eldest daughter who snickered.
Ashley went quiet. Hidden from the eyes of others, she clenched her fist.
Now it was just a pure humiliation.
Whenever the topic arose of her family, Ashley did not know what to say.
However, Ashley knew that they were well aware that she was an orphan.
It was too big of an information to keep hidden from his family. And just to make her feel inferior, his aunt thought of bringing her family in between?
Really heartless!
From beside her, Michael spoke up. "And what are your qualifications to have a say in my matters?" His chilling voice sent shivers down even her spine.
His voice was cold. "Don't forget that you were kicked out by grandfather last time and who brought you back."
Ashley closed her eyes and then opened them again.
The environment was so disturbing that she did not even know how to behave anymore.
She had already signed the contract.
Now backing out from it was going to be just more disadvantageous to her.
The only thing that was putting her on ease was that after marriage, they would be living separately.
Also apart from certain monthly meeting requirements, she won't have to bump into them.
"Auntie, do you really need to act like that?" Amelia questioned with an impossible look in her eyes.
Ashley was thankful for the brief moment of support.
She was prepared for everything but the topic about her family. Was she foolish to expect the basic ounce of respect from this family?
"What do you mean?" She snorted. "Is it wrong to bring extremely important point in between?"
"I don't think anyone other then his parents have a say in this matter, Julia." Sofia spoke slowly.
Her eyes still did not soften but there was a warning aimed at Julia. "Don't try to involve yourself in the talk that doesn't concern you a bit."
"It still matters to me who gets married into the family!"
"Only if there was an option to decide who gets to take birth in the family."
"You-!"
It took a swift turn. Ashley did not need more of their interaction to make out that they did not like each other. It was too obvious.
But why was it to the point that they were not even trying to hide it in front of a stranger? That was extremely weird.
No one liked to wash their dirty linens in public.
Were these the same set of people who behaved so closely bonded once in front of the media?
"Are you done?" Jeremy Clark finally spoke a word. "Irrespective of your different opinions, if my grandson likes her, he will marry her only."
"But dad-"
"You are not choosing the life partner, Laura. You got no say in it." Jeremy Clark got up. His personal assistant immediately reached his side to help him walk. No one said a word as they witnessed him walk out the door.
For a long while, no one said a word before a man spoke out. "It's time for lunch. Do join us."
This mam had a distinct aura emanating from him. A familiar one.
Ashley had seen him on internet just last night but seeing him in real was so different. He was the man who took his father's legacy further and brought the Clark Industries to new heights.
Father of Michael and James.
And husband of Sofia Jones.
"Definitely, Dad."
Amidst hardened stares of the rest of the family members, Michael got up and pulled her up on her feet.
One by one, everyone got out leaving just the two of them behind.