His manager hurried after Ashton, struggling to match his pace through the private airfield.
"Sir Ashton... are you really going to England?"
Ashton didn't answer.
His hands remained tucked inside his pockets as he continued walking toward the private jet.
"You've only just returned from Russia," the manager continued. "There's nothing left for us to handle there. As for England... we don't even have any business in that territory."
Only then did Ashton let out a quiet chuckle. He stopped just long enough to adjust the dark sunglasses resting on the bridge of his nose.
"Who said I was going there for business?"
The manager frowned.
"Sir?"
A faint grin slowly spread across Ashton's face.
"I simply heard something..."
He resumed walking without another glance.
"...interesting."
The manager stood frozen for a moment before quickly catching up again.
"If I may ask... what exactly is waiting for you in England?"
Ashton climbed the steps leading into the jet before looking back over his shoulder. His smile remained as carefree as ever.
"Let's just say..."
A brief silence followed.
"...someone forgot to tell me I have a little brother."
Without waiting for another question, Ashton stepped inside the aircraft. The cabin door slowly closed. Left alone on the runway, the manager could only let out a helpless sigh.
"...This trip is definitely going to end badly."
— Last Night —
"It... it was only a rumor, Sir Ashton," one of the maids said with a trembling voice. "Sir Sebastian and Madam Ruth were only arguing."
Ashton slowly stepped out of the shadows. He crouched in front of the two trembling maids, resting one arm on his knee. A grin curled across his lips.
Whether it was amusement or satisfaction...
Even the maids couldn't tell.
"So..."
His voice was almost gentle.
"...I've been away in Russia for a few months..."
He tilted his head slightly.
"...and something this interesting happens behind my back?"
Neither maid dared to answer. Ashton's smile slowly faded.
"I'd like to hear more about this..."
He paused for a moment.
"...'rumor' of yours."
The warmth disappeared from his voice.
"If it's only a rumor..."
He looked from one maid to the other.
"...then you shouldn't mind repeating every single word."
A heavy silence filled the kitchen.
Ashton let out a quiet chuckle.
"Or..."
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"...would you rather I deal with those careless mouths of yours?"
He stood back up and dusted off his sleeves.
"The choice belongs to both of you."
— Present Day —
Ashton sat by the window, enjoying the view of the clouds stretching beneath the aircraft. His mind, however, was somewhere else. He couldn't help but wonder what this so-called hidden heir looked like.
Would he resemble Sebastian? Or would he turn out completely different from the man they shared as a father? Every question only brought another. And somehow, the more he thought about it, the more curious he became.
Perhaps too curious. The long flight was beginning to take its toll. With nothing but the quiet cabin and the constant hum of the engines surrounding him, Ashton found himself regretting the decision to make such a long trip without anything interesting to occupy his time.
He leaned back against his seat and glanced at the time.
One hour left.
"How boring."
He closed his eyes and decided to take a short nap. It was probably the only way to make the remaining time pass faster. Before he knew it, the aircraft had already begun its descent.
England.
Ashton stepped out of the private terminal and made his way through the lounge before finally reaching the exit.
A limousine was already waiting outside. He stopped for a moment and adjusted his dark shades. A familiar smile appeared across his face. At least England knew how to welcome its guests.
Ashton opened the door and stepped inside. Whatever awaited him in England...
He was finally here to find out. As the drive continued, a man in a suit sitting across from Ashton handed him an envelope. A classified mark was stamped across the front. Ashton raised an eyebrow before taking it.
Classified.
Hardly a secret. There was only one person he wanted information about.
Lain Collins.
"Well..."
He opened the envelope and pulled out the files. A photograph immediately caught his attention. Ashton stared at it for a few seconds.
Then he laughed.
"So that's him?"
He had expected dark hair. Instead, the man staring back at him had blonde hair and a pair of striking blue eyes.
"Father really knows how to keep things interesting."
He flipped through the pages.
Lain's business.
His resort.
His investments.
His daily activities.
Even the people he frequently associated with. Ashton read through everything with growing interest. Apparently, his little brother had been doing quite well for himself.
Not bad.
Not bad at all.
He closed the file and leaned back against the seat.
"Maybe I should stay a little longer."
The man across from him looked confused.
"Sir?"
Ashton tapped the envelope against his knee.
"I've come all this way."
A grin slowly appeared.
"It'd be rude not to visit."
Of course, that wasn't the real reason.
He wanted to see Lain.
Not through a photograph.
Not through a report.
In person.
And if staying at his resort happened to make that easier...
Well, who could blame him? Ashton leaned back and looked toward the tinted window.
"Let's see what kind of person you really are, little brother."
The rest of the journey passed rather comfortably. Ashton put the files aside and decided there was no reason to spend the entire ride staring at paperwork. He had already come to England for something interesting.
He might as well enjoy himself first. The limousine continued down the road while Ashton returned to his usual entertainment, completely relaxed as if he hadn't just discovered one of the biggest secrets in the Kozcivrie family.
After all...
He had plenty of time and Lain wasn't going anywhere.
The ride didn't take long before Ashton finally arrived at Lain's resort. He stepped out of the limousine and gave the driver a brief gesture.
"Park it somewhere nearby. I'll let you know when I'm ready."
The driver nodded as Ashton made his way toward the entrance. The moment he stepped inside, his eyes wandered across the resort. The design caught his attention.
It wasn't overly extravagant, nor did it try too hard to prove its worth. Everything looked carefully placed, from the decorations to the layout of the main hall.
Ashton gave a quiet whistle.
"Well, look at that."
He glanced around once more.
"An interesting way to do business."
A faint grin appeared across his face.
"I might've underestimated you, little brother."
He approached the front desk, where a young woman was busy arranging several documents. She looked up and offered him a professional smile.
"Good afternoon, sir. How may I help you?"
Ashton leaned against the counter.
"What's the best room you've got?"
She quickly checked the system.
"We have a VIP suite available."
"Perfect."
He placed his card on the counter.
"I'll take it."
The receptionist processed the booking before handing his card back.
"Your room will be ready shortly, sir."
Ashton took his card. Then, instead of leaving...
He stayed.
The receptionist raised an eyebrow.
"Is there anything else?"
Ashton smiled.
"Actually, there is."
He tilted his head slightly.
"How about dinner with me tonight?"
Her professional smile disappeared almost instantly.
"No."
Ashton blinked.
Straight to the point.
He couldn't help but chuckle.
"That was quick."
"I'm working."
"And?"
She gave him an unimpressed look.
"And I'm not interested."
Ashton raised both hands in surrender.
"Fair enough."
He picked up his luggage and turned away. A grin remained on his face.
He liked that. Most people tried too hard to impress him.
She didn't.
"Feisty..."
He muttered to himself.
"Interesting."
Ashton walked toward the elevator, leaving the receptionist to return to her work. He pressed the button and waited. He had only been in England for a few hours...
And already, his little brother's resort had managed to surprise him. Perhaps this trip wouldn't be as boring as he thought.
While Ashton had already settled into Lain's resort, Lain remained at his mansion, still trying to piece together the strange investor who had contacted him.
The documents from France were still spread across his desk. Something about the proposal didn't sit right with him. Before he could reach another conclusion, his phone rang.
Lain picked it up.
"Yes?"
His manager's voice came through.
"Sir, there's something you should know."
Lain leaned back slightly.
"What is it?"
"There's an unknown guest staying at the resort. Judging from his appearance and the way he's spending, he's clearly wealthy."
A brief pause followed.
"He's been ordering some of the most expensive drinks we have and spending most of his time partying."
Lain rubbed his temple.
"And you decided to call me because?"
"I'm not sure if he's dangerous, sir." The concern in his manager's voice became clearer.
"He's attracting quite a bit of attention."
Lain remained silent for a moment.
"Don't approach him."
His manager paused.
"Sir?"
"Keep an eye on him." Lain's gaze returned to the documents scattered across his desk. "If he's only there to enjoy himself, let him."
"But if anything seems unusual..."
His voice lowered.
"...I want to know immediately."
"Understood, sir."
The call ended.
Lain leaned back into his chair and closed his eyes.
Another strange investor.
An unknown guest.
And Sebastian's sudden appearance.
Too many things were happening at once.
He let out a long sigh.
"Just what is going on..."
Meanwhile, back at the resort, Ashton seemed to have forgotten about every problem in the world.
Music filled the poolside. People laughed. Drinks continued to arrive at his table. Ashton sat comfortably with a clear view of the entire resort, watching everyone enjoy themselves. A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"Not bad..."
He lifted his glass.
"Consider this a gift, little brother."
His eyes wandered across the resort.
"This place you built isn't bad at all."
He took another sip.
"Perhaps I underestimated you."
A grin slowly returned to his face.
"I can't wait to see how you'll react."
He finished his drink and placed the glass on the table. His gaze wandered toward the front desk. The same receptionist from earlier had finally finished her shift.
Ashton watched her walk away.
A mischievous smile appeared.
"Well..."
He stood from his seat.
"Perhaps I should find my own entertainment." And with that, Ashton left his table.