Chapter 152 Lucky in Love
After driving for twenty minutes, the low pressure still lingered inside the car; the delicate balance seemed like it could be shattered with a slightly heavier breath.
Thomas wanted to speak but hesitated, stealing glances at the CEO's expression several times through the rearview mirror.
Ever since he kicked Ashley out of the car, his emotions have been bad. In the past, his facial expressions were monotonous, hardly revealing any inner turmoil, but every time he argued with Ashley, it was obvious whether he was angry or happy.
Of course, happiness was a rare occurrence.
It wasn't until the car was close to the original destination that Thomas dared to ask in a low voice, "Damian, there's something I'm not sure if I should mention."
Damian replied, "If you're unsure, then don't mention it."
It was good to speak up; as long as the CEO was willing to talk, it meant his emotions hadn't deteriorated to the point of harming someone.
Thomas reflected on his feelings and murmured, "It's a personal issue. My younger sister recently moved from our hometown to Rochester City to find work. She's a recent college graduate, still green and a bit naive. She genuinely loves her job and finds it fulfilling, but her boyfriend doesn't approve. He thinks it's not suitable for a woman to be so exposed and wants her to quit. She argues that she knows her boundaries and can take care of herself. She believes a woman can't depend on a man forever; she needs to hone her abilities to stand her ground in society. So, they've disagreed, and she's contemplating a breakup. The poor thing is devastated. She came to me, questioning if she was in the wrong."
Thomas paused, glancing at the CEO's expression again; thankfully, he wasn't as indifferent this time. "I'm her brother, of course. I want her to be happy and support her decision unconditionally. But it's a fine line to walk. I'm not sure what to do."
After speaking, Thomas fell silent, waiting for the CEO's response.
Damian slightly curled his lips. What could Thomas possibly say that he didn't already know?
The inexperienced sister should be Ashley, who had just entered the workforce.
The job that required being visible probably involved Ashley interacting frequently with the opposite sex.
The unsupportive boyfriend seemed like an unreasonable fool, driving Ashley away in a fit of anger.
Thomas, not lacking in courage, indirectly criticized his boss.
Damian said, "Why cry? Both boyfriends and jobs can be replaced."
Thomas lamented, "Well, they've been together for a few years. It's not easy to let go just like that. If her boyfriend hadn't been so overbearing and shown a bit more understanding, they might not have had to break up. Sometimes, fate just doesn't cooperate."
Damian stated, "In her minlationships are less important than work. Men are unreliable, and in the end, she has to rely on herself. So, what's the point of men? I suggest she focuses on her work, avoids relationships, learns from Queen Elizabeth I, and maybe she'll change the world in the future."
Thomas choked a bit on Damian's words. How did his well-intentioned advice turn into a mess?
Thomas said, "Women, tough on the outside but soft on the inside. It's not easy for women, facing discrimination, bullying, needing to maintain their integrity in the workplace while also competing with men. Some positions are even more cutthroat, making it impossible to go it alone."
Damian remained silent.
Only then did Thomas mention Ashley, "I wonder if Ashley has returned. It's not easy to find a taxi on that road, right?"
How could it be difficult to find a taxi in the city area? It was just an excuse.
Damian retorted coldly, "If you're so worried, you should go back and be with her."
Of course, Thomas didn't dare, so he changed tactics, "I remembered there's a German restaurant nearby that serves excellent food. Since Ashley isn't here, should we cancel our lunch reservation and try their cuisine?"
Originally planning to take Ashley to a German restaurant to discuss work, Thomas didn't expect an unpleasant incident on the way, resulting in the end of their conversation along with Ashley's absence.
With Damian's tacit approval, Thomas promptly made a U-turn at the intersection, accelerating back at least twice the speed he left.
After about ten minutes, the car arrived at the intersection, but Ashley was nowhere to be seen.
Thomas didn't rush to the restaurant, and Damian, sitting in the back, didn't urge him.
Looking around, Thomas felt distressed and did not find Ashley. He had missed her.
Just as he was worrying, he saw Sean walking briskly with a phone in hand, typing and looking around. Suddenly, a smile lit up his face.
Then, he walked straight to a small shop by the roadside, tidying his clothes before entering.
Through the window, Thomas saw Ashley, who was sitting inside and eating.
Overwhelmed by deep regret and unease, all Thomas wanted to do was apologize right there.
What a mess he had made!
Not sure if the CEO had noticed, Thomas quickly stepped on the gas, driving the car away from the scene.
Now, the atmosphere inside the car had become truly awkward.
Leaning back in his seat, Damian chuckled, his light smile like a judgment from the abyss: "Your sister has good luck with men. It was just a breakup; the next one should be better."
A chill ran down Thomas's spine. The steering wheel became his lifeline as he grinned foolishly, "Well, it's not that simple. She and her boyfriend have been together since college; their relationship is solid."
Damian said, "Love doesn't have a pecking order."
After parting ways with Damian, Ashley took the initiative to contact The Legal Department at KM Road to discuss the final settlement agreement and then confirmed her flight time with her secretary.
It was the day after tomorrow.
As a result, she had to hand over the criminal lawsuit to someone else.
Just before leaving work, Hendrix called her on the internal line, "Come to my office."
His tone was cold as if she owed him a lot of money.
Adjusting her mindset, under the gaze of several pairs of eyes, Ashley knocked on Hendrix's office door. She could feel someone staring at her from behind, their gaze sharp.
"Come in."
Ashley complied, then heard him say, "Close the door."
As she closed the door, Ashley paid special attention to the activity outside. Everyone seemed to be working diligently as if they hadn't noticed her presence at all.
Such great acting skills.
Hendrix held a printed document in his hand and tapped it on the table, "They worked through the night, and the traces on the body have been examined."
Ashley's heart skipped a beat, "What did they find?"
Hendrix scratched his face, the healing wound itching a bit, "The results are interesting. They found fibers from Mark's clothes in the victim's fingernail crevices."
Ashley heard her voice tremble. This conclusion was completely different from her previous assumptions. She thought it would go in the direction she had imagined, "So, Mark is even more suspicious now."
Hendrix, in a composed tone, said, "There's another point. They found the DNA of two other people at the scene."
Thinking of Damian's speculation that two people might have committed the crime, Ashley asked, "So, you mean there are three suspects in total?"
Hendrix's gaze lingered on Ashley's face for a moment before moving away to grab a baseball cap, "Yes, including Mark. Let's go, let's meet your client again. This guy might not have been entirely truthful."
Ashley said, "Hendrix, I'm afraid I can't take on this case. I might disappoint you with this heavy responsibility."
