The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes

Chapter 27: Chapter 27- interested in

"Hm, he seems to be coming back more often this month," Derrick said with a pointed sigh. When he noticed Janet approaching, his expression shifted into one of stern authority.

He may not know every detail, but that didn’t mean he didn’t understand.

This was still his house. And in this house, his word was final.

"Janet, how are you adjusting to working with Charles?"

Philip turned toward her, seated calmly at his side. Whether he asked the question out of genuine interest or simply for Derrick’s benefit, it was hard to say.

"Ah?"

Janet blinked, caught off guard. She nodded quickly, "Yes—it’s going well."

"Charles has high standards. If he picked you, it means you’ve got what it takes."

Philip said it casually, and Janet didn’t read too much into it. At the company, aside from Charles’s occasional cryptic remarks and commanding presence, he hadn’t made things difficult for her.

But Derrick, listening quietly, grew visibly darker in expression. The undercurrent in their conversation had not gone unnoticed by him.

After breakfast, Janet returned to the North Garden villa with Philip. She pushed his wheelchair into the gym. Robert had told her that professional medical staff came regularly at set times to assist with his rehabilitation.

Walking into the gym—with its sleek equipment and luxury finishings—Janet couldn’t help but marvel.

So this is how the wealthy live... Even a gym looks like a palace.

"You don’t have to stay. Go on," Philip said as soon as she pushed him inside. He didn’t want her to see him struggle, to witness his helplessness. It had been six years—he no longer believed he’d ever stand again. All of this was just Derrick’s stubborn fantasy.

Just like Janet—she was someone far beyond his reach.

"I... I’d like to go out for a bit today. Would that be okay?"

It was the weekend, so she didn’t have to work. Janet watched him cautiously.

It had been a long time since she last visited Cornelia’s grave. Her heart stirred with quiet longing.

Mother doesn’t even know I’ve gotten married... I wonder if, up in heaven, she would approve of what I’ve done.

"Janet," Philip said gently, "you don’t have to ask me about everything. You’re free to do whatever you want. Don’t let anything hold you back, okay?"

His sincere words rippled through her heart.

A man like this—understanding, patient, and kind—being able to marry him... maybe that was a blessing in itself.

Janet stopped by a flower shop and bought a large bouquet of carnations before heading to the cemetery on the outskirts of town. The area was quiet and peaceful, with sycamore leaves scattered across the ground.

She walked along the gravel path and knelt before a familiar tombstone—only to discover that someone had already placed a fresh bouquet of lilies there.

She blinked in surprise. This wasn’t the first time. On multiple visits, she’d found new flowers on her mother’s grave.

To remember Cornelia’s favorite blooms... there was only one person who would know.

Could it be him?

"Mom, I’m here to see you," Janet whispered softly as she knelt down, placing the carnations beside the pristine lilies.

There were only two people Cornelia had ever truly loved in her life—Harold, and Janet.

Janet could still vividly recall her mother’s tender gaze, filled with unspoken wishes to give her the best of everything in this world.

Even in that final moment, as the flames closed in, Cornelia had not forgotten to push her daughter to safety...

Maybe it was her sudden wave of sorrow that stirred something in the sky—what had been a clear blue canvas just moments ago was now graying, as fine droplets of rain began to fall gently from above.

The misty drizzle landed softly on Janet’s face, the cool rain slipping into her eyes, washing over them until they looked even clearer and brighter than before.

After the rain passed, she stepped out from the pavilion, reluctant to leave the cemetery behind. She raised a hand to hail a taxi, intending to return to the Elwin estate. She didn’t spend much time at home usually, and she could tell that Derrick wasn’t exactly pleased with his new daughter-in-law.

Now that she was married to Philip, she ought to at least fulfill the responsibilities expected of a wife.

The image of that man—physically limited, yet always offering her a warm smile—tightened something in her chest.

Maybe... maybe she should try to understand him better. Care for him a little more.

She had just settled into the back seat of the taxi when her phone rang. It was Peggy.

As if she had timed it perfectly, Peggy didn’t even wait for Janet’s agreement before ordering her to meet her at Century Square.

With no excuse strong enough to refuse, Janet ended the call and instructed the driver to head downtown.

"Janet! Over here!"

As soon as she stepped out of the cab, she spotted Peggy waving enthusiastically from the center of the plaza. Janet weaved through the thinning crowd to meet her. After the rainstorm, the city seemed to shimmer with a fresh sheen—like it had been dressed in a brand-new bridal veil. The air carried a crisp, renewed scent.

"Why here?"

Janet’s sharp eyes quickly recognized the building they were standing in front of—A City’s largest concert theater. She had come here with Peggy a few times before, so the place was familiar.

"Today’s invitation didn’t come from me," Peggy said mysteriously, grinning as she looped her arm through Janet’s and started leading her toward the entrance.

Only once they got inside did Janet realize—there was someone else waiting for them.

A tall, striking man with a magnetic presence.

It was Manfred—the man she had seen once before.

"Hey, gorgeous. We meet again,"

Manfred gave a low whistle, his voice breaking the stillness of the private lounge area. With his handsome face and flawless features, he was already drawing attention. Janet’s expression tightened. Now she understood what Peggy had meant earlier—this entire thing had been arranged by him?

"The concert’s starting soon. Janet, go on in!"

Peggy gave Janet a gentle push toward Manfred. The theater lights had dimmed, and the crowd’s chatter began to dissolve, replaced by the soft swell of instrumental music.

"Wait—Peggy, where are you—?"

Before she could stop her, Peggy had already turned and disappeared into the crowd. Janet barely had a moment to react before Manfred tugged her into one of the nearby private viewing suites.

The room was elegant and dimly lit. On the gray-glass table sat a refined tea set and an assortment of desserts—far more luxurious than anything she and Peggy had experienced here before. Through the patterned glass walls, the stage could be clearly seen.

"Relax. I’m not going to eat you,"

Manfred sat down beside her. She instinctively slid a few inches away.

Now he could see that August had been right—getting close to this woman wasn’t going to be easy.

"Manfred, what are you trying to pull?"

Janet didn’t believe for a second that he’d approached her without some hidden agenda.

There was something about him—an energy that made people uneasy.

"I already told you—I’m interested in you,"

Manfred gave her a crooked smile, and in his eyes was the unmistakable gleam of a man who saw a challenge he was determined to conquer.