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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 you comeback, but it seems you 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.
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