Chapter 159 Kiss Marks
Misoperation on Facebook?
It seemed there was no recall.
Ashley truthfully said, "Yes."
Before Ashley could finish, Damian interjected, "Why are you texting me?"
It was all just a virtual mishap, especially since it was purely her accidental touch. How did Damian's explanation make things seem a bit more serious?
Ashley went back to the living room to grab her phone, then bent back to the door, blocking Damian, who had just stepped in with one foot. "I was just sending you a message, and I wanted to take it back, but who knew I couldn't retract it," she said in the past tense.
She was wearing home slippers, shorter than Damian. In order to see the text on the screen clearly, he bent down, his chin nearing the top of her head. With each breath and conversation, a hint of refreshing Tahitian breeze swept over them.
Ashley looked up and suddenly realized that she and Damian were too close. The previous motion had almost brought their lips together. She hurriedly lowered her head, using the next action to disguise the embarrassment that passed over her cheek.
Above her, Damian's lips curved slightly, like a shoreline touched by the rising tide.
Ashley thought, 'Is it really worth making a fuss over not sending a text message to him for such a trivial matter? Is he so free these days?'
After a brief familiarization, Damian switched pages, put down his phone, and resumed his cold and distant expression. "What did Evelina tell you?"
Ashley said, "A girl's secret, probably not something I should tell you."
Damian didn't mind, changing the subject, "What time does your meeting with The Legal Department start tomorrow?"
Talking about work, Ashley's previously released tension gathered in her chest again. "Two o'clock in the afternoon, same meeting room as last time. Since you've reviewed the prosecution plan and found no issues, the legal team will handle the other details flexibly."
This time, Damian didn't argue with her. "Everyone has their expertise. You're a lawyer; you don't need to report every detail to me. I just need to know the general direction. As I've said before, I want results; the process is not thaortant."
Speaking of this case, Mr. Moretti and Mr. King should be able to handle it properly. In fact, Ashley couldn't provide much effective help in it. They may have mentioned to you that my presence is just a formality. If Damian wants to terminate the contract now, it's still possible; pay the penalty."
With Damian's shrewdness and Mr. Moretti's cunning, even if they unilaterally terminate the contract, Ashley may not necessarily receive the penalty.
And KM Road doesn't have to pay her the two hundred sixty-three thousand, five hundred dollars agent fee.
Damian half-squinted his deep eyes with a hint of threat and inquiry, "Who said what?"
Indeed, Damian was sharp in his observations. "I've reflected on it myself. With my current abilities, I can't bear the responsibility that Damian has entrusted to me. Initially, I was swayed by the two hundred sixty-three thousand five hundred dollars for taking on the lawsuit. Still, during the verification process, I gradually realized how complex it was. To be honest, it's been a bit challenging."
There was another reason: Lucien's not-so-nice words hIt'spot.
She lackedneeded to gain practical experience, and those around her meant well, pushing a series of lucrative cases her way, but could she really handle the responsibility?
Damian stood under the corridor light, blocking half the light and casting Ashley in shadow. "How long do you want to hide behind others?"
Confused, Ashley asked, "What do you mean?"
Damian sneered, "I remember the year you went abroad after getting your master's degree; your only social experience was hanging out with a bunch of questionable people. After going abroad, you seamlessly continued your studies, getting a Ph.D. in three years and probably assisting your mentor during that time, right? After graduation, you didn't make a fuss, joined your classmate's law firm, recruited without an exam? A newcomer who has never handled a case alone, relying on connections for work, every step of the way, someone was pushing you from behind. So, Ashley, how long do you want to hide behind others?"
While arguing with Lucien, Ashley had a thousand retorts ready, but now she was briefly speechless, unable to find a word to refute him. "I'm not as useless as you say."
But thinking about it, what he said seemed as if he had seen it all firsthand, cutting to the heart of the matter.
Damian's hand hung by his side, the other propped against the door above Ashley's head. "Debts must be repaid. Are you qualified to mix in the legal circle? Do you have the ability to walk independently, leave your comfort zone, and try?"
In a rush of words, Ashley felt a bit angry. "So, how should a newcomer deal with Damian's legal team bullying? I'm an outsider; not only do I have to deal with the plaintiff, but I also play mind games with your think tank?"
Damian replied, "If you can't handle such a small matter, are you fit to be a lawyer? Do you want to serve? It depends on your abilities."
Ashley wasn't afraid of Mr. Moretti; she was scared of Damian protecting his people. From his tone, it seemed like, as the defense attorney, she had some priority. "Are you saying I can do anything?"
The angle at which she raised her head, revealing a bit of her neckline, was subtly alluring. She was filled with thoughts, a mischievous smirk on her slightly tilted pink lips. As cunning as a fox, every subtle movement conveyed signals to Damian's mind.
In fact, Damian did just that, leaning down, his lips paused at her ear, "Don't dress like this in front of others."
Ashley was too caught up in arguing with him to remember her clothes. She quickly crossed her arms, then suddenly felt a tingling sensation below her earlobe. The man's lips paused there for a moment, and the hot breath and stimulating touch mingled. She quickly recoiled her neck.
"What are you doing?"
Damian stood up leisurely, wanting to tease her a bit more, but Evelina was still waiting downstairs; it wasn't appropriate today. "Go in, or I'll take you away."
The door slammed shut, and Ashley looked down to see her ruined clothes. She regretted her decision and wanted to poke her eyes out.
What's worse, Damian's final actions and words hinted at something; anyone with a bit of brains could tell he was flirting with her!
And she, surprisingly, didn't slap him back.
Has she lost her mind?
The next day, Ashley quickly packed up and rushed to the law firm. There was a lot to do today: a meeting at the law firm in the morning and another meeting at KM Road in the afternoon.
"Ashley, you looked very happy last night."
Walking towards the office from the elevator, Harold's secretary, Juliana Delacroix, held a folder to cover the lower half of her face, smiling mischievously.
She had been up late reading documents last night and not getting enough sleep. Where did this happiness come from? "What do you mean?"
Juliana pursed her lips, pointing toward her ear, "Don't say it was mosquito bites; we're all adults here; we can tell the difference between kiss marks and mosquito bites, right."
