At the police station, Drake was released after his assistant paid his bail. It was 4 AM when they finally walked out. His assistant looked exhausted. He’d been about to spend the evening with his girlfriend, who had specially visited London, only to be interrupted by Drake’s call from the station. Now his girlfriend was threatening to break up with him.

“Where to now, sir?” he asked wearily, sliding behind the wheel.

“Back to the hotel,” Drake muttered.

In his suite, Drake flicked on the lights, the spacious room feeling emptier than ever. He lit a cigarette by the window, inhaling deeply. The room felt wrong without Kimberly’s touches—no antique vase with fresh flowers on the glass table, no fully stocked refrigerator, no decorative touches on the walls, no curtains in her favorite shade…

He closed his eyes, but was immediately assaulted by images of Kimberly with Asher. Were they together right now? The pain in his chest was unbearable. He’d imagined many scenarios before coming to London, but never this—never Kimberly with another man.

They say you experience heartbreak twice in a relationship: first when you break up, then when you see them with someone else. How right they were.

The next morning dawned bright and clear. Kimberly woke naturally, knowing she was meeting Asher. After a light breakfast, she dressed carefully in a black velvet vintage dress that fell to her ankles, her dark hair falling in waves around her shoulders. The red lipstick she chose complemented her striking features—high cheekbones, defined brow, and almond eyes.

Phoenix Nirvana: She Pirouetted Through the Flames They Set Chapter 55 (Continued)

Asher was waiting downstairs, leaning against his black Rolls-Royce Cullinan, finishing a phone call. His eyes brightened when he saw her.

“You look beautiful,” he said simply, ending his call.

“Where are we going?” she asked, settling into the passenger seat.

“You’ll see.”

He drove them out of London, leaving the high-rises behind. The countryside opened up before them—rolling hills and autumn trees. Kimberly cracked her window, letting in the crisp air.

“This is lovely,” she said, closing her eyes to breathe in the fresh scent.

“Almost there,” Asher replied, turning onto a narrow country lane.

Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to a three-story country house.

“Here we are,” he said, turning off the engine.

“Where is this?” Kimberly asked, surprised.

“Let’s find out,” he smiled.

As they stepped out, a man emerged from the house. His initial confusion turned to delight upon seeing Asher.

“Mr. Blackwood! What a surprise!” He offered Asher a cigarette from a cheap packet.

Kimberly watched with fascination as Asher—always so refined—accepted and let the older man light it for him.

“Sorry about the cheap smokes,” the man said sheepishly. “Wasn’t expecting you today.”

From his manner, Kimberly realized Asher must be a regular visitor.

“And who’s this?” the man turned to her.

“Miss Jordan,” Asher said simply.

Phoenix Nirvana: She Pirouetted Through the Flames They Set Chapter 55 (Continued)

The man’s face lit up. “Miss Jordan! Finally meet you!”

“Martha! Martha—Miss Jordan is here!” he called excitedly toward the house.

Kimberly glanced questioningly at Asher. Did these people know her?