CHAPTER 143: DARE TO LOVE ME Wedding Gift 

Ashley 

I inhaled the air as we disembarked from the plane, hardly able to believe I was here. My father is indeed American and my mother is Ukrainian, but I’ve spent nearly my entire life in this country. It’s hard not to miss it. 

“It feels great to be here,” Tino inhaled deeply. 

“You said it,” I replied with a smile, adjusting the front of the cap covering my head. Alaia and Tino watched me, as did Loli, while the security guards began scanning the area to ensure our safety. 

I uncovered my hair, letting it fall down my back, and felt a weight lift off me. I smiled as a few strands brushed against my face. Alaia returned my smile, and Tino placed a hand on his chest. Finally, I felt free. My father would have to accept the money for the stores, and if he refused, which was possible, I’d use the money to start from scratch. It wouldn’t be easy, but we’d build a new brand with the collection we’d created over these months. It was the last resort, one I hoped I wouldn’t have to resort to. 

“Shall we go?” I asked. My cousin and Tino, each carrying one of the children, walked over to take me by the arms. 

“Let’s go,” they said enthusiastically, and we walked with our security team surrounding us. 

“I’ve already told Sandra to save us some food, lots of food,” Tino said. 

“Miss Russell,” a strong voice called out in front of us, and I stopped looking at my friend. 

We halted, and I saw my father’s men standing before us. I was sure they’d been watching this place for months. 

“How can I help you?” I asked confidently, as Gavin and Gus stepped closer to us, glaring challengingly at the men who were just as large as they were. 

“You must come with us. Your father has been expecting you,” the blond man, whom I’d seen before, informed me. 

“Must I?” I questioned. 

“It’s an order from your father,” he explained calmly. 

“Well, tell my father that I’ll meet with him tomorrow. With his actions, he’s lost the right to give me orders. As you can see, I need to take care of my collection first, a collection that’s at 

CHAPTER 143: DARE TO LOVE M… 

risk thanks to him,” I said without raising my voice, knowing the blond man was just following 

orders. 

“I’m sorry, but we can’t leave without you,” the men beside him moved towards us, prompting 

Gavin and Gus to block their path. 

“We are responsible for the safety of everyone here and ensuring they arrive home safe and 

sound,” Gavin spoke to them. 

“I’m still offended by Gavin, huh? But how strong and gallant he’s become to defend us,” Tino 

whispered to Loli. 

“Whose side are you on?” Loli retorted. 

“Of course, yours, darling, yours,” he smiled and looked back at Gavin. 

“Miss, you should talk to your men. We don’t want to use force.” 

Tino made a sound of astonishment. 

“Don’t you dare touch her,” Alaia spoke angrily. 

I took out my phone to call my father. I’d had enough. 

“Finally, you deign to show up,” he said angrily. 

“I’m not going with your men, so you’d better tell them to leave.” 

“You’re in no position to make demands, Ashley. Come to my office immediately. Your arrival 

is my deadline. You’ve caused me enough trouble.” 

“You caused them yourself, remember? Now I need to organize my arrival. I’ll see you 

tomorrow. This is unnecessary; I’m already here,” I huffed. 

“I’ll expect you tomorrow in my office. I warn you, this time I won’t lose sight of you. I’m tired of 

your games.” 

I ended the call and saw the leader of his men receive another call. He signaled the others to 

leave. 

“My heart is racing. I thought they’d kill us if they couldn’t take you,” Tino dramatized. 

“Nothing of the sort. Everything’s fine. Let’s go,” I told them, and we all walked to the family 

company’s cars. 

***** 

Yesterday, after the trip, we came to the houses to rest, though I couldn’t fully relax. I still felt tense about the situation with my father. 

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CHAPTER 143 DARE TO LOVE M…. 

I looked at myself in the mirror and felt strange wearing feminine clothing, fixing my hair, and even wearing makeup, but I was glad to be myself again. 

“You look stunning,” Tino said from the bed as I stepped out of the closet. 

“But you’re even more beautiful than before,” Alaia smiled, and my children came over to hug 

1. me. 

After breakfast, we headed to the store, where everyone warmly welcomed me. Throughout the morning, we measured the garments and dresses on the models and then went out for lunch. Once we were done, I decided it was time to see my father. I couldn’t delay this matter any longer. 

I got out of the car and adjusted my waves to fall down my back. I straightened the tailored jacket I was wearing and looked at the building. 

Alaia and Tino took my hands before we entered. Gavin and the guys came with us. The elevator announced our arrival at the floor where my father’s office was. My companions squeezed my hands, offering support. 

My father’s assistant let us in as soon as she saw us. 

I opened the door and saw him in his chair, watching me intently. His expression hardened when he saw Tino. My father was an older, grumpier version of my uncle Patrick. 

He waited for us to sit and continued in silence, his fingers tapping the arm of his chair. He noticed Gavin standing by the door after closing it. 

“You did a good job hiding,” he nodded with a smirk on his lips. “Every day of searching for and not finding you increased my anger and frustration. I was also disappointed that my daughter couldn’t follow an order, something that could be beneficial for both of us.” 

you 

I heard Tino snort, and I noticed Alaia elbowing him as my father looked at him with irritation. 

“Father, I’m old enough to make my own decisions, and I’m sure you can obtain those benefits in another way, not by using your daughter as a bargaining chip,” I said firmly. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and remaining silent, so I took the floor. 

“I’m here to propose a deal,” I spoke up, straightening my posture. “Buy each of my stores and everything in them, down to the last needle, and I want them in my name by this afternoon. I’ll repay your investment with interest, the one I thought you made to make me happy, but you only did it to manipulate me when the opportunity arose,” I opened my purse and searched for my checkbook. 

He watched me in silence. 

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CHAPTER 143 DARE TO LOVE M 

“How much?” I said, looking at the check and my pen ready to write the amount. 

“I imagined you’d come with a proposal like this, though you didn’t know if I would accept. Yet, 

you decided to take the risk. I applaud you for that. 

“And although the amount is considerable and I know you can pay it, it’s not about the money 

now. It’s about all the slights and inconveniences you’ve caused me by having to negotiate 

with your fiancé’s family,” he commented, and I scoffed. “Facing my men yesterday and 

refusing to do what was asked of you, all this time you’ve made me look like the biggest fool, 

one who can’t control a young woman, his daughter!” he slammed the desk, and we remained composed, though Gavin was by my side in seconds. 

“Children shouldn’t do our bidding, Mr. Russell. We should love them, guide them, accept their 

decisions, and hope they don’t make mistakes. But if they do, we should be there to help them 

get back on their feet. We fail as parents the day we see them as commodities or objects to 

use at our convenience,” Alaia spoke, and I thanked her with a glance. 

“Very nice words, they don’t apply to me, but nice,” my father said cynically. “Now, without 

wasting time and since it’s clear you won’t yield, I have news for you,” he turned to me. 

“I couldn’t sell you your stores, even if I wanted to. They no longer belong to me,” I blinked in 

surprise and looked at my companions. 

“You can’t be serious,” I shook my head. 

“I have no reason to lie. I sold your stores this morning,” he shrugged. 

Several gasps filled the office, and fury overwhelmed me. 

“To whom did you sell my stores?!” I stood up, now slamming the desk myself. 

“To your future husband. He was interested in buying them and giving them to you as a wedding gift. I couldn’t refuse; it’s an excellent gift,” he responded, seemingly enjoying it. My stomach dropped. 

“He’s not just bad; he’s the epitome of evil, a damned demon straight from hell,” Tino stood up 

and pointed at my father. 

“Don’t you dare speak to me that way, butterfly!” 

Alaia and Gavin held Tino back before he could leap over the desk. 

“As you can see, there’s very little I can do about it. You, on the other hand, can. Just say ‘I do‘ 

on your wedding day, and you’ll have your beloved stores back.”