Chapter 204 

Seeing his silence and hesitation to agree, Daphne pressed further. “Before I came back earlier, I met Elara. We talked for a bit Aren’t you curious about what we discussed?” 

Asher followed Daphne upstairs. Daphne rented a small apartment and shared it with others. She went to the kitchen to cook some pasta while Asher sat on the couch. The apartment was tiny. 

In Starfield City, even a place like this came with a hefty monthly rent. Asher glanced around, taking it all in. He couldn’t help but recall the past, back when he was still living with his father. 

The size of their house wasn’t much different from this. Sitting on the couch, he fixed his gaze on Daphne, who was busying herself in the kitchen. 

In Starfield City, Daphne was probably the only person around whom he could let his guard down. 

Because they had started from the same place. With her, he didn’t feel looked down upon. In fact, he had done better than her. And that gave him a sense of superiority. 

Daphne brought the pasta out, set the plate on the table, and wiped her hands. “Check if there’s enough salt.” 

Asher picked up the fork, lowered his head, and took a bite. He paused after just one taste. Daphne looked at him. “Not good?” 

Asher didn’t respond and continued eating. Daphne sat down next to him. “I saw Elara today. No wonder you like her. She’s stunning.” 

“Why bring her up?” Every time Elara saw him, she acted as if he wasn’t worth her attention. 

Even now, despite his success and the fact that Adair liked him, Elara refused to give him so much as a proper glance. The thought of it always made Asher uncomfortable. 

‘Why is she the only one who looks down on me when nobody else does?‘ he wondered. 

Daphne continued, “You still like her, don’t you?” 

“If I were you, I’d like her too. Despite her privileged background, she used to be crazy about If it weren’t for me, you 

two would’ve ended up together. 

you. 

“You wouldn’t have gone through so much, and with the Kensington family backing you, your achievements would’ve been far greater than they are now.” 

Asher looked up at her, his handsome face expressionless under the light. “Mr. Kensington treated me well, but he always looked down on me. 

“His ideal son–in–law has always been Lysander. I was just someone seeking shelter under their roof. What’s so great about that?” 

Edith was his biological mother, yet even with the Linde family, his position hadn’t improved much. There was no difference even if he lived with the Kensington family. On this point, Asher was clear–headed. 

That was why he worked so hard to excel. One day, he would become so powerful that none of them could ignore him. 

Daphne caught on to his emotions with precision. “Are you unhappy with your life? I heard you’re living with your mom now. Isn’t she your favorite person?” 

At the mention of his mother, Asher frowned. Recently, his mother had started going to the company to learn the ropes. She didn’t want him to take over the Linde family. 

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Chapter 204 

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Even though Asher could manage everything perfectly, she still wanted to run the company herself. Asher lowered his head and murmured, “It’s nothing.” 

“Asher,” Daphne said softly. “If you’re ever unhappy, you can come to me. As long as you don’t mind, we can always be like before.” 

“Don’t think saying this will make me treat you any better.” Asher’s voice turned cold. “Daphne, it’s impossible between us. 

“I know.” Daphne’s voice carried a hint of desperation. “I just want to make it up to you. Please, give me a chance to atone, okay?” 

Asher continued eating his pasta, finishing the entire plate she had made. Then, as he stood up to leave, the doorbell rang. 

Daphne went to answer it. The landlord stood at the door, looking annoyed. “When are you paying the rent? It’s exhausting having to chase you every time.” 

“Right away,” Daphne said quickly. “I’ll transfer it.” 

“This is too little,” the landlord complained. 

“Sorry, I’ll pay the rest after I get my paycheck in a few days.” After repeatedly apologizing, Daphne finally managed to settle the issue. When she turned back, she saw Asher standing there, watching her. 

“Sorry about that,” she said awkwardly. 

Asher stepped closer, looking her up and down. “Can’t even afford rent? Is this how your rich boyfriend treats you?” 

“I told you. I’m single now,” she replied. 

“And you didn’t manage to get any money out of him?” Asher said sharply. “That’s not like you.” 

His words made her eyes well up with tears. “I never did anything with him. Why would he spend money on me? Asher, besides you, I’ve never been with anyone else. Please, don’t talk about me like that.” 

Seeing her pitiful expression, Asher swallowed the sharp retort he’d been about to make. For the sake of the plate of pasta she had made, he decided not to press her further. He left her apartment. 

As much as he disliked her, walking out of her place had surprisingly improved his mood. At least, seeing her current state, struggling and unhappy, brought him a strange sense of satisfaction. 

By the time Lysander got home, Elara was already asleep. Perhaps because she had seen Daphne that evening, she dreamt about the things Daphne had said to her in her past life. 

Lysander noticed she was sleeping and didn’t disturb her, heading to take a shower instead. When he got into bed, the sudden movement of the mattress startled Elara, causing her to fall into his arms. 

“What’s wrong? Nightmare?” Lysander asked curiously. 

When Elara saw it was him, she relaxed. “You’re back.” 

“Did I wake you?” he asked. 

“No,” she replied. “It’s just been a long time since I dreamed about the past.” 

In the first couple of years after her time travel, she often dreamt about her previous life, about how tragically it had ended. Eventually, the dreams became less frequent. 

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But even now, whenever she dreamed about her past, the overwhelming sense of injustice left her feeling low. Lysander looked at her gently. “I’m here.” 

Elara sat up. “I’m going to get some water.” Lysander got up and brought her a glass of water. 

Looking at him, Elara smiled and told him about her encounter with Daphne that day. Lysander listened quietly. 

“She looks pretty pitiful now,” Elara said. “She couldn’t even afford her own meal. I had to pay for it.” 

Lysander’s response was blunt. “Hasn’t she always been like that? 

Elara chuckled. “I guess so.” 

Back then, it was only because she had Asher that her life seemed better. 

After chatting with Lysander for a while, they both went back to sleep. 

The next evening, Elara and Lysander went out for dinner together. These days, whenever Lysander had free time, he would include her in his plans. 

After the dinner meeting ended and they walked out, Lysander’s phone rang. Elara got into the car while Lysander checked the caller ID. It was Wyatt. He answered. 

“What is it?” Lysander said. 

“Is Elara with you?” Wyatt asked. 

“She is.” Lysander nodded. 

“Let me speak with her. I have something to ask her,” said Wyatt. 

Lysander got into the car and handed the phone to Elara. She glanced at it and answered, “Mr. Hawthorne, what’s the matter?” 

“Felicity told me she wants a divorce. Do you know anything about this?” Wyatt asked. 

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