Chapter 10 The Ex-Husband's Selection
“Why is he angry?”
Anthony Hearst’s fiery temper was notorious, verbal barrages for light offenses and physical violence when enraged. Ashley had seen him break a servant’s arm with a golf club.
That ruthless streak was perfectly inherited by Damian.
Joyce sighed, “It’s about Damian. Over these few years, Anthony hasn’t stopped trying to find him a match. There must've been at least two hundred women, if not three hundred, and Damian hasn't taken a fancy to a single one. Anthony declared he must get married this year, no matter what.”
Two hundred women in three years? Damian had certainly been busy.
Ashley's expression remained as calm as a still pond. "Any progress?"
Joyce weighed whether or not to speak, then decided against withholding information, not wanting Ashley to venture into the situation unprepared. "She is heiress to the Bezos Group."
Of course. When it came to picking a bride, the Hearst family always went for a match of power and prestige.
Bezos Group was one of the largest real estate powers in Rochester, second only to KM. At its helm stood the Bezos family, with Edward Bezos having two sons and a daughter. The youngest, Trinity Bezos, was a sight to behold. Ashley had seen her once during her wedding to Damian six years ago, a mere twenty years old then, with the poise of a princess and stunningly beautiful.
Ashley's face gave nothing away. "A powerful alliance."
Joyce paused. "Miss Astor, your feelings for Damian... have they waned?"
Ashley cut the conversation short. "Joyce, see you later. I'll come to see you when you have your day off."
Watching Ashley walk away, Joyce mused to herself, that Miss Astor had changed.
When Damian arrived, Ashley was hesitating outside the door.
"Afraid to go in?"
The tease in his voice was palpable, laced with a hint of spice.
Ashley turned around. "Damian, shouldn't you be fined for being late?"
Damian retorted, "You're just too early."
She scoffed silently and jerked her chin slightly. "Your grandfather is in a foul mood over your marriage prospects. Why involve me? Playing matchmaker?"
Damian, casually holding an obsidian car key with one hand in his pocket, his tall frame exuding authority, countered, "Who knows better than you what kind of woman suits me?"
Ashley fought the urge to curse, “Damian, with your prestigious status and wealth, must think yourself unmatched, save perhaps for a Muse.”
Her sharp wit was one of the reasons she'd made it as a lawyer, a skill she rarely used on him. Since their reunion, however, he had been frequently exposed to her biting tongue.
Damian fired back with equal sarcasm, "Cut it off. Use your wits on the court."
Ashley clenched her teeth, steering back to the point. "Your grandfather doesn't like me. My presence would surely aggravate his bad mood."
Damian shrugged as if it was the most natural conclusion. "Which makes you the perfect one to take the bullet."
Rolling her eyes, Ashley realized how sad blind love could have been. What had she even fallen for?
"Get out, get out!" Anthony Hearst's bellow, followed by the sound of smashing porcelain, filled the air as the front door swung open. Damian stepped back, avoiding the shards.
And then those shards skittered to a halt at Ashley's feet.
After Anthony Hearst's wrath finally subsided, Damian spoke up, "Grandpa."
The scolded servant, terrified, made a beeline for the door, cleaning the shards. "Mr. Hearst."
Then his eyes fell upon Ashley by his side, and he paused, momentarily taken aback. What brought the jinx home?
Even Anthony Hearst hadn't expected to cross paths with Ashley in his lifetime. His eyes narrowed to slits, revealing nothing but an icy indifference, "We don't welcome outsiders here."
Ashley, for her part, couldn't agree more. She'd rather be anywhere but here.
But Damian, cool as a cucumber, took hold of her wrist, "I asked for her help."
Anthony Hearst eased back into his armchair, his aura exuding an ominous chill.
Ashley's ears reddened as she felt a wave of discomfort, her gaze sinking.
Damian said, "You said I have poor taste in women. Here is the woman you labeled as a low bar, so with her help, I'll just aim higher with the next one."
Ashley looked up, staring at Damian. Was he mad? Asking his ex-wife to help pick out his next one? Only Damian would pull something like this.
The servants knew better than to step out of line and stick to serving drinks and snacks. The living room was, for the moment, surprisingly tranquil, devoid of any impending battle.
Only Ashley felt an internal discomfort, as if gunpowder of resentment were exploding within her, wishing she could burn all the photographs on the table.
Anthony Hearst went straight to the point, "Trinity is a good match for you. Younger ones could be flighty, constantly troubling you. How can you lead on the front-lines if there's chaos at home?"
Ashley just smiled quietly.
"Yes," Damian acknowledged.
Encouraged by his grandson's rare concession, Anthony Hearst pressed on, "The expansion of Bezos Group has been rapid these past few years, securing several large government contracts. The two of you together could take KM to new heights."
Damian didn't object, simply murmuring, "Right."
"Trinity will get 5% of Bezos Group's shares after the marriage. It's not a lot, but it's enough for a supportive wife, far better than constantly begging you for money."
It was a clear dig at Ashley, the supposed burden.
Damian took a sip of his coffee, "Only 5%? How much do the sons get?"
Anthony Hearst replied, "Don’t know?"
Damian lounged against the couch, absentmindedly tapping the side of his glass, "Maybe Grandpa should have another chat with Mr. Bezos, about offering 15% to his daughter. If there's to be a marriage alliance, the scales have to at least balance."
Anthony Hearst replied, "Don't think for a second that I can't see through you. The shares are just a smokescreen."
Turning to the ever-compliant and quiet Ashley, Damian inquired, "You're a lawyer. Tell me, does this deal make any sense?"
Catching Damian's glance, Ashley responded seriously, "Truth be told, share amounts notwithstanding, it's all premarital assets. In case of a divorce, they wouldn't factor into the marital property, no consequences either way."
Damian raised an eyebrow, "Expecting me to get divorced?"
Ashley replied, "Damian, you're about to celebrate a happy occasion. Why would I jinx it? I'm just speaking factually from a lawyer's perspective. I do genuinely hope you and Trinity have a long and happy marriage."
Without looking at Damian's reaction, Ashley felt a surge of secret satisfaction.
Anthony Hearst seldom found Ashley's words agreeable, but this time he agreed, "Exactly, there's no need to fuss over premarital assets. The Hearst family isn't hurting for that little bit."
"Last time, it was because I didn't nitpick that I failed," Damian declared firmly. This time, I have to get my calculations right. It involves more than simply stock; it also involves real estate and the philanthropic foundation of the Bezos family. Their foreign markets are reportedly doing quite well. Who is in charge of that?"
He's really willing to go the distance. Every word delivered a Touche.
After a brief silence, Anthony Hearst asked, "Are you serious about the Bezos girl?"
If he's really interested, matters with the Bezos side will naturally smooth over, and the marriage is as good as set.
Setting down his glass, Damian adopted a solemn demeanor, his gaze filled with shrewd calculation, "I've been through one divorce already and I don't plan on a second. Choosing a wife isn't like adopting cats and dogs; wouldn't one be more cautious after being bitten once?"
