Mr. Rovano Morvane

Valerie Ashford, a 21-year-old girl, was fed up with her monotonous and restricted life. She was constantly under surveillance, even though she spent twenty-four hours a day simply sitting at home.

She had no friends whatsoever, her internet usage was strictly limited to a daily quota, she attended informal schooling, and she had never been able to see the outside world, despite begging her father desperately.

No one allowed her to leave the mansion, as she was the last descendant of the Ashford family, who had been kept hidden for a long time.

Today, the Ashford family was holding a business meeting at the grand mansion; people began arriving one by one, each curious about the invitation to tonight’s party.

Valerie was sitting in the back garden, lost in thought, when she was slightly startled by the arrival of Jason, her personal valet.

“Miss, Mr Nolan has returned,” said Jason.

“You mean my father? Has Father come home?” Valerie’s eyes fixed on Jason, full of hope.

The man nodded. “He’s just arrived; he’s waiting for you in the main hall now.”

Jason reached out his hand to Valerie and helped her to her feet. “Be careful, Miss.”

“Thank you, Jason,” whispered Valerie.

Valerie immediately ran to meet her father; she hurried down the corridor towards the main hall without a second thought, paying no attention to the floor beneath her feet.

As soon as she reached the hall, her grandmother let out a little gasp when she saw Valerie running towards Nolan—her father—but she nearly fell over after bumping into a tall man.

“Valerie!” Valerie’s mother cried out softly.

Nolan breathed a sigh of relief, but he felt embarrassed by Valerie’s reckless behaviour in front of his guests who had already arrived.

Nolan guessed his wife had forgotten to tell Valerie about the event taking place at that very moment.

Meanwhile, Valerie winced; she would have fallen had the man she’d bumped into not caught her by the waist. Those piercing black eyes seemed to bore into Valerie’s emerald ones; this was the first time Valerie had met a stranger, apart from the family and servants in this grand house.

Valerie blinked several times; they had remained in that position for quite some time.

The stranger supporting Valerie had black hair styled in a quiff and a handsome face; a smirk appeared on that handsome face, and Valerie immediately moved to break free from his embrace.

“I-I’m sorry…” The girl apologised politely before approaching her father.

Nolan smiled awkwardly at the guest Valerie had just bumped into; the man merely gave a slight nod, as if tolerating what the last of the Ashford family had done.

“Why were you running like that? You’re acting like a child, Valerie!” Nolan whispered, half-annoyed, once the girl was by his side.

Valerie just snorted softly, “I was excited because Dad’s home, but it seems he doesn’t like seeing me.”

Valerie then slowly lifted her head, still shy. Her eyes caught sight of the handsome man who had just supported her body so she wouldn’t hit the floor.

His gaze was cold, but when their eyes met again, Valerie could clearly see that the man was giving a smirk that sent a sudden shiver down her spine.

“It seems the Ashford family has a new addition?” The handsome man spoke in a casual tone to Nolan, his gaze softening, yet still brimming with charisma.

Valerie was slightly taken aback by the masculine voice; there was quite a difference between the way the man looked at Valerie and the way he spoke to Nolan.

Valerie felt as though she were looking at a different person from the one who had just grinned at her.

Nolan seemed to take a deep breath; the man appeared as though he wasn’t ready to speak, but eventually his lips parted, “She is my only daughter, Valerie Ashford.”

The handsome man looked slightly surprised, but for some reason Valerie felt it was fake; he seemed to be putting on an act, and Valerie could see it clearly. Yet every time their eyes met, Valerie’s heart suddenly raced; she felt nervous and also afraid for no reason.

“You’re amazing; I’m sure many people don’t know about your daughter. It turns out the heir to the Ashford family is a woman,” said the handsome man again, “I reckon your talent will be passed down to her.”

“Thank you, Mr Morvane,” replied Nolan.

“Hello, sweetheart, I’m Rovano Morvane.” The man extended his hand to Valerie; his tone was flat, but his face was utterly—evil.

Valerie had no choice but to shake his hand, and instantly her body felt a shiver run through it; her heart was beating faster than usual.

It was as if she’d been struck by an electric shock, and then the man’s piercing gaze and his smirk left Valerie transfixed.

Rovano Morvane—Valerie never imagined that name would leave her unable to think clearly for a moment.

What had she been feeling just now? Rovano’s gaze was fixed on her once again; Valerie felt as though she were being stripped bare by his very stare. It made her feel uncomfortable.

Nolan found it odd that Rovano had been staring at his daughter ever since they’d arrived. The event wasn’t due to start for another hour, but this guest was particularly punctual; he’d arrived early along with a few other guests.

“I didn’t know you’d be coming early, so nothing’s ready yet—the event doesn’t start for another hour,” Nolan said to Rovano, who was staring intently at Valerie.

Valerie, who had inadvertently returned Rovano’s gaze, made Nolan’s paternal instincts flare up like a raging fire.

Rovano exhaled, a small smile etched on his face as he began to look friendly. His thoughts were fixed on Valerie, who had caught his attention.

Rovano turned his gaze back to Nolan, “Oh, I’m always like this, Mr Ashford. Especially with my prospective business partners. Discipline makes for a good first impression."

“I wasn’t just guessing; the Morvane family sent their eldest son here. Where on earth is Jordan?” asked Nolan.

Rovano glanced briefly at Valerie, then back at Nolan, “He’s in Paris; there’s some business from my mother’s hospital,” he replied.

“Of course, aside from inter-company business, I have another proposal,” Rovano continued his conversation with Nolan.

“What is it, Mr Morvane?” Nolan asked casually.

Rovano fixed his gaze on Valerie, and Nolan immediately followed suit. “I want her.”

“Pardon?” Nolan was slightly taken aback; Rovano’s words had caused a major misunderstanding.

“I want your daughter,” said Rovano in a very clear and firm voice.

Rovano’s request sounded like a demand; Valerie felt her heart beating even faster, especially as Rovano pointed at her without a shred of shame. The girl clutched her dress and then simply walked out of the hall.

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