Chapter 127 I Admit that I Like You
Ashley didn't want to chat with Lynn. She didn't think there was anything worth talking about.
"Go ahead," Ashley said.
Lynn's eyes became red, and she appeared exhausted, which softened Ashley's heart.
The empty conference room was occupied by two women, one with teary eyes and a pitiful look and the other who couldn't gather her thoughts and had a lot on her mind. The atmosphere was awkward and tense.
Lynn sat by the window, the backlight highlighting her gloomy face. Tears welled up in her eyes as she said, "Ashley, I'm sorry."
Ashley sat diagonally across from her, wondering who had moved the chair aside. She didn't even bother to move it closer. She turned to face Lynn and asked, "What are you apologizing for?"
Was it for talking badly about her or badmouthing her in front of the law firm?
Furthermore, she had already heard two apologies from last night and today. She found it strange how she was constantly being apologized to.
Lynn's eyes were red from crying, and her shoulders shook slightly. It seemed like she had deeply reflected on her mistake and fully realized it.
Lynn began, "When you first joined the law firm, I thought you were beautiful and you had a good relationship with Harold. I was jealous because you posed a threat to me. Before you came, I had many cases, and Harold valued me a lot."
Ashley quietly listened without interrupting, only pushing the tissue box closer to Lynn.
Lynn Lloyd took a few tissues and wiped her nose. Tears were still flowing as she said, "When you got the KM Road's case and made a big impact, those who used to flatter me suddenly started praising you. I was even more upset. The bond we had built for nearly two years couldn't compare to the two or three months you've been here. I couldn't accept it. I really couldn't."
Ashley remained silent.
Just by listening to Lynn's words, one could sense her sincerity as a woman. Everyone has jealousy, and she had tried her best to keep it low-key, but she was still seen as a thorn in someone's eye.
Lynn silently observed Ashley's reaction and was surprised to find that her tearful plea didn't move her at all. She decided to ramp it up and spoke with genuine emotion.
"It wasn't until yesterday, when I saw you shine on my stage, that I realized the huge gap between us. There are some things I can work hard to make up for, but some things I can never catch up to, no matter how much time I spent. You're more beautiful and smarter than me," she confessed.
A twitch finally appeared on Ashley's lips, and she said, "Lynn, what exactly are you trying to say?"
With tears flowing, Lynn Lloyd pleaded pitifully, "I don't have your luck, resources, connections, or the backing of KM Road. It's just me fighting for a place in Rochester City, all alone..." She choked up, suppressing her sobbing. "I only have Hendrix. I really love him. And I'm willing to give up anything for him. Ashley, could you please not take him away from me?"
What?
Ashley was a bit confused. She had spoken for a while to remind her not to seduce Hendrix.
"Lynn, you're overthinking it. Deputy Director Stone has nothing to do with me. We met briefly abroad, but we only exchanged greetings and didn't contact each other afterward. I was also surprised to see him yesterday. He is your boyfriend, and I have no interest in breaking up a good relationship," Ashley replied.
Lynn sobbed, her body trembling. "Ashley, Hendrix likes to joke around and sometimes doesn't pay attention to the situation, so... could you please try to avoid being alone with him? It's not good for your reputation if rumors spread, isn't it?" she suggested.
At least on this point, Ashley agreed and nodded. "Are you crying like this just to remind me to stay away from him? Why didn't you speak directly? Why are you weeping?" she asked.
Lynn shook her head, reaching across the table and grabbing Ashley's hand, pleading bitterly.
"I'll give you all the law firm cases I can, and I'll try my best to protect you so that others won't speak ill of you. I beg you to stay away from Hendrix, no matter what he says or does... Could you? I can't lose him. I love him very much. I can't live without him," she begged.
Ashley had a headache. Lynn was sobbing, and she couldn't speak too harshly. She had to withdraw her hand and say as tactfully as possible, "Don't worry, I will definitely avoid any interactions with him if I can."
In fact, Ashley wanted to remind Lynn that. 'You should know what kind of person your chosen man is. Would you cry like this for every woman he flirts with?'
Lynn wiped away her tears and forced a smile. "Your words are enough for me. Thank you, Ashley," she thanked.
Back in her office, Ashley still felt puzzled. Lynn's actions were too surprising. Begging someone like that wasn't very clever.
At noon, Ashley forgot about lunchtime because she was reading the case files for City M. When she looked up, it was almost one o'clock.
"Ashley, aren't you hungry?" Hendrix asked.
Hendrix leaned against her door. His smile and demeanor were reminiscent of last night's incident. His navy blue suit looked even sharper, and his gaze became more aggressive, different from the professional tone he had taken when he added her as a friend.
Ashley closed her computer and locked the important documents in the drawer. "Deputy Director Stone, is there something?" she asked.
"Eating is the top priority. They've all gone out, and it's just the two of us. Isn't this fate?" Hendrix said.
Ashley smiled at Lynn's reasonable request, saying, "According to what you said, if I happen to meet dozens of customers in a restaurant, can that also be called fate?"
"Sure, why not? But can it compare to the fate of us reuniting after crossing the ocean?" Hendrix, uninvited, walked in and leaned his hand on her table, slightly bending forward. "What do you think?" he asked.
Ashley felt uncomfortable under his gaze and picked up her bag to leave, and said, "I have something to do, Deputy Director Stone. Please excuse me."
She quickened her pace, but Hendrix casually followed behind.
Just as she reached the elevator, stepping in, Hendrix Stone followed right after her before the doors closed. Inside the spacious elevator, there were only the two of them.
Ashley crossed her arms and took a defensive stance. "I've seen the documents, and I'll send the feedback to your WhatsApp," she stated.
"Ashley, you're not fond of sharing moments on social media. Unlike other women who post a grid of selfies every other day. To be honest, I can't tell any difference, but as for you, it only shows one industry notice reposted in half a year," Hendrix remarked.
Ashley paused before saying, "Deputy Director Stone, you should focus more on your girlfriend."
"You mean Lynn? We broke up," Hendrix said, nonchalantly.
Ashley looked up and met his gaze. "Yesterday, you were still happily showing off your relationship," she recalled.
Hendrix's tone wasn't particularly serious, but he was sincere, saying, "We broke up yesterday after seeing you."
Ashley sighed and rubbed her temples lightly. "Deputy Director Stone, if you have any thoughts about me, I advise you to give up immediately."
The elevator numbers kept changing, and when they reached the third floor, Hendrix Stone supported himself against the elevator wall with one hand and put the other in his pocket, wearing a smile, and he said, "My biggest advantage is persistence and not easily giving up. Be prepared to be pursued by me. By the way, I also enjoy competing with others, especially opponents like Damian Hearst."
