Chapter 67

The next morning, after dropping Brett off at school, I decided to drive around town for a bit.

Sure enough, after taking a few side streets, I noticed a car tailing me.

This must be someone Brandon sent to follow me.

I drove in circles for a while, then suddenly pulled into an underground parking garage, turned off all the lights, and sat in the darkness.

It didn't take long for the car following me to arrive, but they seemed confused in the pitch-black garage.

They couldn't tell which car was mine and which belonged to someone else.

After waiting for a long time, I finally saw the car leave. I quickly drove out and headed to the address Simon had given me.

It was an abandoned factory, completely deserted, with signs of relocation everywhere. The ground was overgrown with weeds, adding to the desolate atmosphere.

Just then, Simon emerged from a dilapidated building. "No one followed you, right?"

I quickly explained what had happened, and Simon nodded, not wasting any time. "I have a surprise for you today. Look over there!"

Following Simon's direction, I saw a familiar figure step out of the shadows.

I rushed forward, grabbing the disheveled man's hand. "Asher, what happened to you?"

Asher took a moment to recognize me. "Caroline?"

Tears welled up in my eyes as I hugged his arm. "Asher, where have you been all these years?"

Asher and I had known each other since we were kids. Though we were childhood friends, we were more like siblings.

When my dad handed the company over to me, it was Asher's support that kept it afloat.

So, Asher held a special place in my heart.

Not finding him these past few days, I had prepared myself for the worst, but I still couldn't accept it.

I was ready to face reality, but Simon had actually found Asher.

He looked so worn out, a far cry from the confident man he used to be.

"Asher, what have you been through all these years?"

Asher sighed deeply and sat down on a bench.

Simon sat nearby. "You have no idea how hard it was to find Asher. I pride myself on finding anyone, but he was a challenge."

I quickly thanked Simon. Finding Asher was a huge help, and I planned to compensate Simon generously once everything was over.

Even if it meant paying a fortune in detective fees.

Asher nodded, looking at me. "Your friend is quite impressive."

I couldn't wait any longer and asked Asher what had happened.

Asher began to recount how Brandon had handled things after I left.

Elora had become Brandon's assistant, helping him a lot, and quickly secured her position in the company.

When I handed over all my responsibilities to Brandon, he used the opportunity to observe the preferences of the higher-ups.

He then exploited these preferences to get rid of them, claiming it was to bring in new blood.

But replacing old employees with new ones wasn't easy.

Everyone was smart and not easy to deal with.

Brandon set them up, getting them all sent to prison by reporting false accounts and calling in auditors.

The company's finances were in shambles, and Brandon fired everyone involved.

Asher was the only one I could find; the others had disappeared.

I quickly realized something. "But Asher, that doesn't explain why you're in this state."

He shook his head slowly. "I was furious and went to confront Brandon."

But Brandon didn't care. He had Asher's leg broken and sent him to court.

Asher was sentenced to a year in prison but was released early for good behavior.

However, no one would hire an ex-convict accountant, or anyone with a criminal record, for that matter.

Rejected everywhere, Asher didn't dare go home or face me, eventually ending up here with nothing.

I was furious hearing this.

I never imagined it would come to this, and Brandon's cruelty had ruined Asher's life, sending him to prison during the prime of his life.

All because of Brandon.

I wanted to go back and kill him right then, but Asher and Simon stopped me.

"Even if you want to punish him, now's not the time. What's the rush?"

I had to calm down and listen to their next steps.

Asher continued, "Before Simon found me, I had given up on revenge. My life felt meaningless. If someone as evil as Brandon could have a happy family while I lost everything, what's the point?"

I looked at Asher with sympathy. He had never suffered like this before, and it must have been unbearable for him to reach this point.

"I thought about finding you, but you were never home, or you were asleep."

I shook my head, explaining, "During that time, Brandon had drugged me. I was bedridden, unable to fight back."

"If I had known what you were going through, I would have fought Brandon to the end."

Asher shook his head gently, his eyes soft. "It's all in the past."

I glared with determination. "No, it's not over for me. Asher, I will get revenge for you. Brandon ruined the best years of your life. Are you willing to let that go?"

Asher lowered his head for a long time, then slowly shook it.

No, he wasn't willing. He had been a rising star, only to end up in prison. How ironic.

And that despicable Brandon kept climbing, reaching the same level as me.

"Alright, we'll get our revenge on Brandon and make him pay for everything."

I then looked at Asher. "Asher, come work at my company. Stop doing this. Look at you, you're covered in injuries. You'll wear yourself out."

Asher bit his lip but eventually accepted my suggestion.

Watching your enemy thrive is worse than killing them.