Chapter 162 Thick Skin, Sweet Talk
In the office, Damian was the only one there, with no sign of Trinity.
One woman left, another is came. It was all so smooth, no one could compare to Damian.
Ashley couldn't help but sneer. "Mr. Hearst, why did you call me in?"
Damian was unaware of her thoughts, only finding the smile of her rather forced. He leaned back in his chair, and looked at her. "Ashley, you seem to be in a bad mood."
Ashley stood opposite him, not intending to sit down. It was better to speak less between them. "Personal emotions should not be brought into work. I remember Mr. Hearst's reminder. Just say it, Mr. Hearst, what's the matter?"
Frowning, Damian noticed the fatigue in Ashley's eyes and said, "Because of what I said yesterday, you suddenly became so diligent. Genius is not achieved overnight."
Ashley didn't understand what he was trying to say.
Ashley continued, "There's a lot of company case data and many legal terms that need careful review from you. It's a tough battle and it's not easy for anyone. As a defense attorney, I can't lag behind. It's my duty."
Damian kept talking, but Ashley still couldn't grasp what he wanted to do.
Damian gestured to a chair, he instructed, "Sit down."
Ashley explained, "There's a meeting going on downstairs. I have to go back. Mr. Hearst, please be short."
Damian, with a coffee cup in hand, displayed a clear coldness on his face. Looking at her over the cup's rim, he said, "Ashley, I don't want you to be so personal with me. What I said last night is hope you don't be afraid in the future. You need to be bold. I wasn't scolding you, you shouldn't be angry with me."
Ashley hesitated, unsure if she was overthinking. "You called me up just to apologize for what you said last night?"
Damian had been thinking that all day. Perhaps his way of expressing himself wasn't good. The case Ashley handled after returning to the country was done brilliantly and flawlessly. He completely denied her abilities is not appropriate. Coincidentally, she came to the company for a meeting today. After Trinity left, he called Ashley up.
Every time Damian spoke, Ashley misunderstood him. Damian cleared his throat and said, "I didn't say anything wrong. I'm not apologizing to you."
This was the Damian she knew. Ashley replied, "Thank you. You're right. I need to gain experience and improve myself, so I will give my all in the case in City M."
Taking a sip of coffee, Damian saw Ashley standing there upright. "Are you ready to leave tomorrow?"
If she weren't heard about rumour between him and Trinity, as well as Damian's collaboration with Emperial Avenue Groups heading to the Eirondia, Ashley might thought he was showing friendliness. But now she only had one thought-a fickle man.
"I'm all set, and there would be no accidents. Mr. Hearst, please rest assured."
Damian pondered and then asked, "Do you have anything else to say?"
Ashley thought he might needed to see a doctor for a brain check-up. It’s him called her up.
"No. I'll report the progress of the work after the meeting ends. It’s about one hour later."
She spoke in a formal tone, subtly distancing herself from the man in front of her, fear that Damian might say something astonishing.
Damian toyed with his cup, his long fingers pausing there. "Are you still blaming me?"
Ashley became more convinced that he needed medical attention for his brain. "Mr. Hearst, you're overthinking. I always consider advice from others wisely. I won't get angry or hold grudges."
There was a silence.
One didn't speak, the other didn't dare to leave. They remained in this stalemate.
At last, Damian broke the silence. "You can go out now. Leave early tomorrow."
Ashley left the office. Looking at the bright corridor, she felt like in a fog, unable to see clearly ahead or recall the path behind.
Damian had been acting strangely today, appearing rather foolish. Not only did she think so, but Damian, sitting silently with his hand on his forehead, was also feeling perplexed.
Over the years, they'd satire and found error with each other, and even had cold violence or conflicts. Now, when he wanted to show some care, he found himself unable to express it clearly.
Feeling annoyed, Damian called Hayden.
"It's working hours, you shouldn't have time to call me."
Hayden was in a consultation. He waved to the next patient to wait and paused the call signal.
Damian asked, "Have you ever pursued a woman?"
Hayden was taken aback by the abrupt question, unsure how to respond. "Are you trying to trick me or ask for my help?"
Damian replied, "It was about Ashley."
With that, Hayden understood. Mockingly, he said, "You must be facing a dilemma. Serves you right! Your sharp tongue always hurts people."
"No nonsense. Get to the point."
Hayden's patients were waiting, and he had no time for small talk. Getting straight to the point, he said, "When pursuing a woman, you need to be thick-skinned, sweet-talking, and to understand that what a woman says and what she means may not align. If she says no, she might mean yes. If she says it's not allowed, it might be allowed. As for Ashley, she's smart and witty. Be sincere. And remember, women love surprises."
"Thanks." Damian replied.
The word left Hayden stunned.
He hadn't misheard; Damian had indeed thanked him.
The next day, Ashley dragged a 36-inch suitcase, a large tote bag, and took a taxi to the airport.
She printed her ticket and checked her luggage. At the security checkpoint, she met the KM Road legal team. Mr. Moretti led the way, followed by Kevin, Jerry , and their assistants and secretaries, a group of about ten people.
Ashley, however, there wasn't even an assistant. Just her alone, looking quite lonely.
"Ashley, it's not a big deal that you don't bring a secretary to meetings. You don’t even take a helper with you to the court!" Kevin didn't miss any opportunity to tease Ashley.
Ashley replied calmly, "Mr. King's team is quite large, and your secretary is quite beautiful. It's enviable. I'll find a secretary who meets that standard."
The female secretary with long hair smiled.
Kevin sneered, "With such a heavy workload, Ashley, it seems like you want to hand over the case to us."
"I remember Mr. Hearst saying that I'm mainly responsible for the court trial defense in this case. Others will handle the rest. I should confirm this later." Ashley stated.
Kevin's face turned pale.
Indeed, those were Damian's exact words. In this case, Ashley was the lead, and they were all behind-the-scenes heroes. Harshly speaking, they were all Ashley's subordinates.
First-class passengers boarded first. Ashley nodded to Mr. Moretti. "Mr. Moretti, after you."
Mr. Moretti, who was holding an economy class ticket, smiled. "Ashley, after you. We're not in a hurry."
It was only then that Ashley realized she was the only one in first class.
This move caused the resentment of others.
The KM Road secretary was a real pro.
Ashley got on the plane and took her seat.
The international flight's aircraft was spacious and comfortable in first class, with seats and amenities that made it feel like a five-star hotel.
Ashley put her handbag down and got to work on her documents.
As passengers kept boarding, a dark figure soon walked up to her, taking the seat next to her. Ashley picked up the documents she'd put on the chair, and said, "I'm sorry, I thought..."
Looking up against the morning sunlight, she saw a familiar face.
Ashley was startled and said, "What are you doing here?"
Damian unbuttoned a button on his suit with one hand, comfortably settled in his seat, stretching out his long legs. "Of course, I can be here."
