Ashley pulled the door open, and she froze when she saw her mother standing in front of her door.

Margaret Donaldson was with a fiery expression and a rolled-up newspaper clutched tightly in her hand.

Without a word, Margaret shoved the paper into Ashley’s chest. “Care to explain this?”

Ashley sighed, taking the newspaper and scanning the front page. As expected, her name was plastered in bold letters across the top.

“Emerald Donaldson’s Scandal with Demitri Ivanov!”

Below it was a picture of last night’s dramatic fall, Ashley sprawled awkwardly in Demitri’s arms, surrounded by flashing cameras. The headline spun a sordid tale of their supposed “romance” and Demitri’s recent divorce.

Ashley folded the newspaper with a calmness that only seemed to infuriate her mother further.

“You’re not even going to deny it?” Margaret demanded, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.

“What’s there to deny?” Ashley replied evenly, setting the newspaper on the table. “The paparazzi are just doing their job—sensationalizing.”

Margaret’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t play games with me, Emerald. You knew this would happen the moment you stepped into that party. What were you thinking? Do you have any idea what this could do to your reputation? To this family’s reputation?”

Ashley crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. “I didn’t go there to cause a scandal, Mother. I went for work. It wasn’t my fault Demitri—”

“Don’t you dare say his name!” Margaret interrupted, her voice rising. “What do you think people will say when they find out you’re his ex-wife? Do you think they’ll call it coincidence? No! They’ll label you as some scheming, desperate woman who couldn’t let go of her former husband.”

“Let them say whatever they want,” Ashley replied firmly. “I can handle it.”

Margaret scoffed, shaking her head. “Oh, really? And how exactly do you plan to handle it when every boardroom you walk into is filled with whispers? When every investor hesitates to associate with the Donaldson name because of this mess?”

Ashley clenched her jaw, her calm demeanor cracking slightly. “It’s not as big of a deal as you’re making it out to be.”

“Not a big deal?” Margaret’s voice was laced with incredulity. “Emerald, you are the heiress to the Donaldson fortune. Everything you do reflects on this family. Everything. And yet you allowed yourself to be dragged into a public spectacle with a man you should have erased from your life the moment you walked away from him.”

“I didn’t allow anything,” Ashley snapped, her patience thinning. “I didn’t plan for him to fall on me, and I certainly didn’t plan for the cameras to catch it.”

Margaret’s eyes bore into hers. “Then plan this: get rid of every single thing tying you to Demitri. Every connection. Every memory. Burn it all. Or I’ll have your father deal with him personally.”

Ashley stiffened. She knew exactly what her mother meant. When the Donaldsons “dealt” with someone, it wasn’t just a matter of cutting ties—it was about complete and utter ruin. Financial, professional, personal. They left nothing standing.

“You can’t be serious,” Ashley said, her voice quieter now.

Margaret raised an eyebrow. “You know how your father handles problems, Emerald. Do you want him to make an example out of Demitri? Because if I tell him about this right now, he won’t hesitate.”

Ashley’s mind raced. The image of Demitri’s life being systematically destroyed flickered in her thoughts.

She should have felt nothing—this was the man who had betrayed her, humiliated her, and shattered her trust. And yet, the idea of him being ruined didn’t sit well with her.

“I’ll take care of it,” Ashley said quickly.

Margaret’s expression softened slightly, but her tone remained stern. “Good. You’d better.”

There was a brief silence as Ashley stared at the floor, her thoughts swirling. Then Margaret’s voice cut through the stillness like a blade.

“Unless…”

Ashley’s head snapped up. “Unless what?”

Margaret studied her daughter carefully, her eyes narrowing. “Unless you still care about him.”

Ashley blinked, caught off guard. “What? No, of course not.”

Margaret stepped closer, her gaze piercing. “Don’t lie to me, Emerald. You’ve always had a soft spot for people who don’t deserve it. Tell me the truth. Do you love him?”

“No,” Ashley said firmly, her voice betraying none of the conflict raging inside her.

Margaret tilted her head, unconvinced. “You’re sure about that?”

“I’m sure,” Ashley replied, her tone clipped. “I’ll handle it.”

Margaret raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on her lips. “Then why are you so protective of him all of a sudden?”

“I’m not,” Ashley said defensively.

Margaret tilted her head, studying her daughter. Then she leaned in slightly, her next words a quiet accusation. “You love him.”

Ashley’s breath caught, and she quickly shook her head. “No, I don’t.”

Margaret’s smirk widened. “You do. And that’s all the more reason why he needs to be dealt with.”

Before Ashley could respond, her mother turned and walked out of the room, leaving her daughter standing there in stunned silenc