Ch. 1396..1400: Powerful Papa with Triplet Babies Chapter 1396-1400

Chapter 1396

Within a blink of an eye, Ashlynn was dragged out of Beth’s hold. Beth’s expression instantly darkened.” Corentin, who do you think we are? Have you no respect for others at all? This is how the Lloyds raise you?”

Corentin did not respond and simply dragged Ashlynn away forcefully.

“Why you-” Beth wanted to run after them, but Marshall stopped her. Furious, she said, “Why are you holding me back? You should have gone and taken Crescent back.”

“Crescent is Corentin’s wife now. Even if we are her biological parents, we can’t take her away by force. We’ve had conflicts in the past, but it’s best that we all get along. We need Corentin to treat Crescent well!

Beth was still upset that Corentin clearly had respect for her.

Ashlynn was taken into a room and she immediately questioned sharply, “Why would you act that way around her? She’s my mom, not my adoptive parents! Don’t even think about hurting them!”

“What exactly did I do?” He asked.

“You were just…rude.”

-He pulled her down to the couch. “Just don’t cross me and everything else can be negotiable.” He took

out a medical kit and started to disinfect her wound.

Ashlynn scowled at the stinging sensation, and Corentin narrowed his eyes endearingly. “What a princess,”

“…” Ashlynn wanted to slap him in the face for calling a woman who grew up in the slum a ‘princess’.

“None of the women in the slum is as innocent as you? Doesn’t that make you a princess?”

“And you’ve slept with all of them?” She retorted.

“Are we really going there?”

”

Ashlynn gritted her teeth and remained quiet reluctantly.

“I had my fun before knowing you, but I’ve stopped after that,” he said. “You won’t find a man like me

elsewhere.”

“I suppose that’s true,” she said, because a monster like him would not exist elsewhere.

Corentin could tell that she was mocking him, but simply smiled. Ashlynn was the only person on this planet who would dare to speak to him in such a manner and survive. However, the look in his eyes darkened when he studied the palm print on her cheek.

“Are you done?” Ashlynn wanted to head outside, knowing that the funeral was still on-going.

Corentin tossed the cotton bud away and just as Ashlynn was about to stand up, his shadow loomed over her and pinned her down against the couch.

“What are you do- Umph!” He swallowed all the words on the tip of her tongue.

Ashlynn immediately tried to shove him away, all the while thinking to herself, ‘this man is beyond redemption. My grandfather’s funeral is still going on and this is what he wants to do!’

Corentin let her go after a while.

“Corentin Lloyd, you are out of line!” Ashlynn roared angrily.

Hearing the hasty footstep approaching, Corentin pulled Ashlynn up and the door was kicked open the

next instant.

Marshall’s brother, Eddie stormed in, followed by Marshall who was trying to stop him.

“Corentin Hilton, are you the one who ordered someone to tie rocks onto Meredith’s body and toss her into the pool?” Eddie questioned sharply.

Ashlynn gaped at Corentin. Though she hated Meredith, she never wanted her dead.

Marshall was looking at Corentin sternly as well.

Chapter 1397

Ashlynn studied the dark expression on Corentin’s face and wondered if he was indeed the one who did it. What little hope she had was demolished the next instant when Corentin asked, “Is there a problem?”

Eddie’s expression darkened. “Are you trying to kill her? Are you sure that the Lloyds can bear the responsibility for this? Why is this man allowed in here to begin with? The Lloyds and the Hiltons are going to war over t-”

“Brother!” Marshall stopped him from continuing. Declaring war against the Lloyds would not benefit anyone.

Corentin did not seem bothered at all by the tension in the air. “You all heard what I promised old Mr. Hilton during his final moments, right?”

Ashlynn did not even need to struggle to remember, as Corentin had only said a few words in the room, he said, “Don’t worry. I won’t let anyone bully her, including me.”

Yet Meredith had slapped her across the face shortly after that.

“If I break my promise, I wonder if old Mr. Hilton could truly rest in peace.” Corentin used old Mr. Hilton as his shield and Eddie was instantly rendered speechless.

Beth walked in with a stern look on her face. “You should remember that this is still a funeral if you respected Crescent’s grandfather. Meredith is still a member of the Hilton Family, and you should get that through your thick skull.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to warn everyone in the Hilton Family, slapping Ashlynn means that you are slapping me. If this happens again, I won’t go easy again,” Corentin said arrogantly.

If what Corentin did was ‘going easy’, they could not picture what he would do if he decided otherwise.

The Hiltons had never been challenged to this extent.

Whenever Beth thought about Corentin, the burnt wounds on her back would ache.

Ashlynn wanted to protest, knowing that Corentin was merely doing this for his own pride, not because she was that important to him.

“Alright, today is the day for Dad’s funeral. Let’s stop arguing. Brother, you should go talk to Meredith. The poor girl is terrified,” Beth said.

Eddie stormed off.

Beth turned to look at Ashlynn. “Shall we go?”

Without another word, Ashlynn left with Beth and though Corentin did not stop them, his expression darkened.

He could tell that Beth resented him and given the chance, she would do anything to separate Ashlynn from him.

‘Dream on!’ He thought viciously.

The next day, the body of old Mr. Hilton was buried and the Hiltons were all in tears.

Ashlynn felt as though her chest had tightened to the extent that she could barely breathe. She could not tell if Meredith was right about old Mr. Hilton because of her return, but no matter the truth, the guilt within her remained.

After the funeral, it was time to announce old Mr. Hilton’s will and everyone, including the Hiltons and

Corentin, were present.

Meredith came close to being drawn to death, but out of fear toward Corentin, she swallowed the resentment and contemplated on how she could take revenge in silence.

Mr. Cooper was the lawyer hired by the company and knew everything about the Hiltons’ properties.

“Old Mr. Hilton’s will stated that Ms. Beth Wallace is to act as the executive director with a forty-eight percent share of the company. All existing distributions of share amongst others are to remain the same and ten percent of the bonus each year is to be transferred under Ms. Ashlynn Thompson’s name…”

Some of the people were instantly upset when Beth was named the executive director.

 

Chapter 1398

Not to mention the part where Ashlynn was entitled to ten percent of the company’s earnings each year, considering how tremendous the amount would be.

Meredith could not bear it any longer. “What do you mean? Ashlynn is going to get all that money by just doing nothing? Did Grandpa mention any condition to this?”

“No.” Mr. Cooper said with confidence.

“I don’t believe you!” Meredith darted up and grabbed the paperwork in his hands. When she noticed that there were indeed no conditions mentioned, she tossed them onto the floor. “Who is she to get that? Why?! Just because the Hiltons owe her? She is doing just fine! She’s married to Corentin Lloyd, and she will never have to worry about money again! She’s married and is no longer a Hilton, so what was Grandpa thinking? You get to have everything, while my dad and I get nothing?” She broke down in tears out of

devastation.

Disappointed, Eddie sighed heavily.

Beth and Marshall shot one another a look.

“Meredith, don’t get upset. I will give you my bonus for each year. We will take responsibility for your expenses from now on as well, so don’t you worry. Eddie, we are brothers and you know that I don’t care about these sorts of things. You can have half of my share.”

“And how much will you have left for yourself if you just give them out to everyone?” Eddie muttered. “We are just not capable enough in Dad’s eyes and Beth earns what she gets. I accept Dad’s decision,” Eddie said as he stood. “Meredith, let’s go.”

“Brother…” Beth stood up. “Meredith…”

Eddie left and Meredith ignored her, before leaving as well.

Beth sat on the couch helplessly with one hand to support her sore back.

Seeing how pale she was, Marshall asked, “are you in pain?”

Beth shook her head. “I didn’t expect Dad to do such a thing. I’m just his daughter-in-law and this isn’t fair to you or your brother…”

“Eddie must have already guessed it long before this. You might be Dad’s daughter-in-law, but he’s always seen you as his one. You are talented, so it’s only normal that he would pick you. Don’t feel guilty over it and do what you must. I will always have your back,” Marshall said.

Ashlynn listened to their conversation and felt envious, even when they were her parents. It was not easy to find a couple so supportive of one another, and the fact that such a loving couple were her parents filled her heart with pride.

At the same time, Ashlynn noticed that Beth looked paler and after Mr. Cooper announced the will, it almost looked as though Beth could barely sit up straight.

“Crescent, are you staying?” Marshall asked.

Before Ashlynn could answer, Corentin said, “No.”

Displeased, she retorted, “You said I can go to the Hiltons’ whenever I want, are you breaking your promise now?”

He shot her a stern look with a dark expression.

“I will go back tomorrow. I’m only staying one night.” Ashlynn was worried that he might not agree and that he might take her away forcefully in front of her parents.

Corentin stood. “I will pick you up tomorrow.” He nodded at Beth and Marshall. “Goodbye for now.” Before turning to leave.

Ashlynn sighed a breath of relief, glad that it did not end in conflict, though she did not know what prompted Corentin to agree.

Ashlynn followed Beth and Marshall back to their mansion and Marshall helped Beth back to the bedroom, while Ashlynn waited outside on the couch.

Inside the car, Beth had been talking to her about the company and its share, but was leaning against Marshall the entire time as though she was feeling unwell.

Ashlynn hesitated, before heading up the stairs. When she arrived at the bedroom, the door was half- open and she went inside to find Beth lying with her back facing up on the bed, revealing the wounds on her back.

 

Chapter 1399

Her back was filled with burnt wounds.

Ashlynn’s heart sank, a sharp pain piercing through her as though she was the one who was wounded.

She moved closer without making a sound and reached for the ointment resting next to the bed, before starting to apply it onto the wound as gently as possible.

She knew what caused the wounds.

It was when Corentin kicked Beth onto the coffee table where hot tea was served at the time.

She had thought that Beth was fine, and had not expected for her injury to be so severe.

Ashlynn resented Corentin, but feared him at the same time.

The trauma of him murdering her parents remained and he would not have hesitated or shown mercy simply because Beth was her biological mother.

Beth had thought that Marshall had returned. “Are you done with the phone call? Who was it?”

There was no response.

“I shouldn’t have asked. I won’t do that again,” Beth muttered.

Ashlynn could sense that something was wrong. She was impressed by how caring Marshall and Beth were toward one another earlier, but it seemed as though doubts existed in their relationship.

“Is Crescent down there? Wrap this up. We can’t leave her by herself. Go tell the cook to make her favorite dishes for lunch. She can only stay here for a night and we don’t when she can come home

again. I just don’t want Corentin Lloyd to be my son-in-law. So what if they get a divorce? I will keep Crescent close to me from now on and she has to marry someone that we approve of. That man is definitely not a good match…”

Ashlynn felt pleased as she listened to Beth bad-mouthing Corentin and thought, ‘Indeed, Corentin is a

bast*rd.’

“Mom, I will come over more often,” Ashlynn said.

Beth tensed and turned around in disbelief as she looked at the person. She had thought that it was

Marshall…

“What…did you just call me?” Beth could barely contain her emotions.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Ashlynn muttered, “I…I…”

Beth threw herself into Ashlynn’s arms, weeping tears of joy. “I heard you. I heard you…”

“Your wound!” Ashlynn did not dare to touch her.

“It doesn’t matter. Do you know how happy I am? My daughter was home and called me ‘Mom’…I’ve waited years for this…” Beth broke down in tears. “Years…”

Tears welled in Ashlynn’s eyes. “I’m sorry…”

“No, don’t say that you are sorry. I’m glad that you came back to me, or I will never find real joy. Do you know how painful it is to lose a child? I wanted to kill myself for a while and blamed myself for losing you! “Beth finally felt like reality had hit her.

Her daughter was finally home and she could not control her emotions.

“It’s fine. It’s all going to be fine. I will stay by you and Dad’s sides from now on,” Ashlynn promised. Beth cried and even Marshall, who had been standing by the door, looked at the two with red eyes.

They had been in misery ever since they lost their daughter and had lived through countless sleepless nights.

Marshall walked inside. “It’s fine now. We are never going to drift apart again.”

Ashlynn froze, before muttering, “D-Dad…”

She could not neglect Marshall after calling Beth ‘Mom’.

 

Chapter 1400

Marshall patted her head with tears in his eyes and responded in a hoarse voice, “I’m here.”

Ashlynn was happy.

This is what it felt to have a home and it was the first time ever she experienced true happiness. She was determined to fight to preserve her happiness.

Ashlynn stayed the night with the Hiltons, and left the next day after lunch.

“Just divorce Corentin! Don’t you think he is too controlling to just let you stay here for a night?” Jeremy said.

Beth took Ashlynn’s hands. “Do you really love him? Why didn’t you tell anyone that you were married? I asked Cory about it and he said that you are in love, but I’m having a hard time believing that.”

Ashlynn could tell from Beth’s sharp eyes that Beth had been suspicious the entire time.

“Tell your mother the truth. There’s nothing to worry about,” Marshall encouraged.

Ashlynn knew that her parents could not help even if they learnt the truth. After all, Corentin did not respond well to threats or figures of power; he had no weaknesses and was fearless.

The Hiltons had been a righteous group of people and they would not be able to defeat someone as shameless as Corentin.

“I think that…I will eventually need to get married. The Lloyds and the Hiltons are equals in terms of wealth and influence. Besides, Corentin said that I can come by anytime I want…” Ashlynn glanced at Beth guiltily. “I’m sorry for what Corentin did to you. I apologize on his behalf.”

Beth smiled helplessly. “All I care about is that you are happy. Nothing else matters.”

“It’s unheard of for a man to strike his mother-in-law!” Jeremy was furious, desperate to fight Corentin the

next time he saw him.

“Don’t add fuel to the fire.” Beth scowled. “It’s not like you can defeat him,

Jeremy jumped. “Mom!”

“If you get hurt, your mom will be upset,” Marshall said sternly.

anyway.”

Jeremy glanced at Ashlynn in silence, before sitting down. He knew that if he was involved in a direct conflict with Corentin, it would only cause Ashlynn to suffer.

“By the way, you’ve worked in the Lloyd Group for some time. What do you think of Corentin as a person?” Beth asked.

The photo where Corentin was seen with Meredith was caused by the effort of both the Hiltons and the Lloyds, so it did not count.

“I’ve never seen him with any woman. He’s quite dedicated to work and hasn’t been involved in any

scandal,” Jeremy said. “I will ask around in the PR department tomorrow.”

Ashlynn remembered a particular person from the public relations department. That person had helped her once, but they did not get in touch again after that. After all, being too close would not be beneficial to either of them.

Since Corentin seemed to behave well at work, Beth could not find any reason to disapprove of the marriage, so she set the topic aside. “If he dares to bully you, tell us or Jeremy. Understood?” She reminded.

Ashlynn felt like her family was walking around eggshells and treating her like she could break at the slightest impact.

“Let me know if you need anything, Ashlynn,” Jeremy said.

“That’s what you are calling her?” Marshall glared at him.

Jeremy flushed. Though he liked his sister, he could not quite bring himself to call her his ‘Big Sister’, because he kept getting the feeling that she felt more like a younger sister.

Ashlynn smiled in amusement.

“Wait until I’m done with settling everything, we should go shopping,” Beth offered.

“Take me along!” Jeremy said excitedly.

“You are acting weird. You would do anything to avoid going shopping with me back then, so what’s with the drastic change in attitude?” Beth mocked.

Jeremy stood. “I’ll wait for you in the car.” Before running away.

“He’s shy,” Beth said with a smile.

Ashlynn chatted with Marshall and Beth for a while longer, before leaving.

She did not want Corentin to come by when she knew the way home. Along the way, she said, “Get me to the Lloyd Group.”