Chapter 156 Don't Want Gifts, Just You
Damian was momentarily stunned, unsure of what to do.
What was Ashley thinking? After parting ways unhappily during the day, did she go back to reflect on her words and actions, finally realizing her mistakes? Was she too embarrassed to apologize to him?
Evelina didn't know what her brother was thinking. She stared at the phone without moving, looking focused and with a hint of soft light in her eyes. "Damian, what are you doing?"
Damian put down his phone and said calmly, "When does it end?"
Evelina pouted unhappily, "You're already asking when it ends after just starting for a while; what a killjoy! There are so many projects we haven't played yet. Besides, this is the first game I've played since returning to the country. I won't go home until I've had my fill."
Damian glanced at the clock. It was ten o'clock. Knowing Evelina's temperament for having fun, it would go on until at least two in the morning. "Do you think everyone sleeps in and wakes up naturally like you during the day, not working or laboring?"
Evelina, dissatisfied, asked Christian, "Will you play with me?"
Christian raised his glass in agreement, the red wine shimmering, his peach blossom eyes full of affection. "I don't give the opportunity to others, but for our Evelina's sake, I must. You can't count on Theo. From now on, I will look after you."
Evelina blew a flying kiss. "Great. That's great."
Damian felt a headache dealing with this girl of her age. I was more comfortable dealing with mature and sensible people. "I have a meeting tomorrow morning. I'll leave in a bit. You can spend as you like; it's on me."
Theo said, "I'm going on a business trip tomorrow and will be back by eleven. I'll make it up to Evelina when I return."
Evelina, not happy, walked over and hugged his arm. "Theo!"
Theo patted her head. "You're a girl. You should spend more time with other girls, go shopping, watch movies, and go to amusement parks. Isn't that better than this place? It's so chaotic here. Aren't you afraid of seeing things you shouldn't?"
Evelina stood tall. "This is my Damian's territory. What should I be afraid of?"
Damian said sternly, "If we're not around in the future, don't come by yourself. Do you hear me?"
Evelina reluctantly raised her voice, "Then can I call Ashley to come?"
Damian's tone became heavier, his voice rising an octave. "No!"
Christian chuckled, "Otherwise, how can we say that someone's rank is high? Look at how our little girl here is enchanted. The former sister-in-law has a higher status than her brother."
Then he patted the armrest of the sofa next to him and smirked, "See this mark? It was Ashley who made it."
Theo also looked over. The scratch on the genuine leather seemed to be made by a dagger with great force and depth. He had seen it when he entered but didn't ask. With Damian's pursuit of perfection and cleanliness, how could he allow a scar to exist?
Evelina's eyes widened like bells. "Did Ashley want to stab you but missed?"
Christian leaned on the sofa back, deliberately playing with the scratch on the genuine leather with his finger. "I handed her the knife myself. Do you think she dares?"
Damian glanced and beckoned with his finger. "Come here."
Evelina pouted, hanging a wine bottle on her finger. "Damian, can't you stop calling me like you're calling a dog every time? Your commands are always 'come here' or 'go there,' like training a dog, you know?"
Suddenly, Damian thought of a few scenes. These words flowed naturally, as if they were habits developed by Ashley.
Did Ashley feel like she was being treated like a dog, too?
Damian put on a serious face, swirling his wine glass, and casually said, "She's flying to Country H the day after tomorrow. She won't be back for at least a month. Just a reminder in case you forget."
Evelina blinked in surprise, her beautiful big eyes filled with reluctance. "What?"
Damian continued without showing any personal emotions, "She's the attorney representing KM Road, handling a very difficult international lawsuit. Once she starts working, she probably won't have time for you, not to mention the time difference. Also, she has to hand over work and prepare her luggage tomorrow. She probably won't have time to see you before she leaves."
Evelina lost interest in drinking further, her cheeks puffed up in disappointment. "What should I do? I have so much to say to Ashley."
Damian furrowed his brow, feeling sorry for her. "I wonder if she's asleep at this hour."
"I'll call her! Oh, look at me. I should have invited Ashley to come play together."
Evelina, with strong execution, immediately made a video call to Ashley.
Ashley was still debating whether to retract a message when her phone suddenly vibrated, and a video call invitation popped up. She almost dropped it in surprise. Seeing Evelina's pretty smiling face on the screen, she hadn't appeared for several days. Was this young girl's mind in turmoil on a late night like this?
"Evelina?"
Ashley didn't hesitate to video call with her, appearing in her pajamas on camera.
Only when she heard the noisy background did she realize that Evelina was in a private room at the club. She wanted to hang up but heard Evelina shout, "Ashley, are you going abroad?"
"How did you know?" Ashley asked, already guessing the answer. Besides Damian, who else would tell her?
Evelina huffed, "Ashley, didn't you say we're still good friends? You're going on a business trip for so long without telling me? You don't treat me like a friend."
Ashley was helpless against Evelina's coquettish skills, especially with that pitifully pretty face that was hard to refuse. "I'm going on a business trip, not a vacation. I'll bring you a gift when I come back."
Evelina said, "I don't want a gift; I just want you!"
Ashley choked on her saliva, surprised by the girl's unexpected words. "Alright, when I come back, I'll treat you to a meal and give you a hug."
Evelina added, "I don't want you to come back; I want you now. Come to the club; I'll wait for you."
Hearing Christian and Theo's voices in the background, and presumably Damian's as well, Ashley said, "I have to get up early for work tomorrow. How about next time?"
Ashley said, "I'll come find you."
Ashley replied, "It's too late, Evelina."
Evelina's temper flared up, and no one could stop her. "If it's too late, I'll sleep at your place. We can have a heart-to-heart talk. Send me your location, I'll come over."
Ashley tried to find an excuse, not wanting Evelina to see the humble place she was currently staying in and not wanting to interact too closely with the Hearst family. "Evelina, be good."
Evelina interrupted her again, on the verge of tears. "Ashley, Christian is bullying me, Jade's brother won't play with me, Damian even scolds me like a dog..."
Ashley's head felt like it was splitting into two. She couldn't handle Evelina. "Alright, come over by yourself; let's have a chat."
"Okay!"
After hanging up the phone, Evelina stuffed her phone into her bag and pulled Damian to leave. "You drive."
Damian furrowed his brow. "Didn't she say for you to go by yourself?"
Evelina tilted her head, smiling mischievously. "Do you think I don't understand your intentions? Between the two of us, who wants to see Ashley more?"
