Chapter 168 Intimate Actions
Ashley's reaction had never been so quick. She dodged Damian's hand and instantly moved to the door, casually adjusting her long hair. She smiled and said, "Mr. Hearst, I remember what you said just now. Rest assured, I will take my work seriously."
Damian's fingers hung in the air for a moment before he solemnly said, "thank you for your hard work, Ashley."
The two of them cooperated perfectly. Ashley turned back to Cheryl and smiled. "Cheryl, is the meeting record organized?"
Cheryl was still confused about what was happening. She clearly saw Mr. Hearst's hand on Ashley's face, their actions intimate, as if they were sharing a secret.
The atmosphere quickly turned serious again. Cheryl couldn't believe her eyes. Perhaps she was just too tired these days, leading to hallucinations. Mr. Hearst wouldn't do anything to Ashley. After all, he came with his girlfriend, and Trinity was still staying on the top floor.
Trying to remain composed in front of Mr. Hearst, Cheryl nodded politely and handed over the documents. "Everything is here. If there's anything else you need, feel free to contact me anytime."
After a quick check, Ashley nodded in satisfaction. "Thank you for your hard work, Cheryl. You have the afternoon off. You can go out for relax."
Cheryl dared not look at Damian directly. Just standing in close proximity to him made her shiver. Nervously fidgeting with her fingers, she said, "Thank you, Ashley. I'll head back now. Goodbye, Mr. Hearst."
Damian nodded slightly in response. Once Cheryl disappeared into the adjacent room, Damian spoke leisurely, "you worth the name of good actor."
Ashley held the documents close to her as if they were a shield. She politely and respectfully replied, "Mr. Hearst, your praise is unwarranted. I don't want to be misunderstood just now."
Glancing at the watch, Damian headed towards the living room. "We leave at three. With your excellent memory, Ashley, I trust you haven't forgotten."
Furrowing her brows slightly, Ashley replied, "I've already mentioned that I'm not available. Please stop insisting!"
"Why are you not available?" he asked.
Ashley thought of using work as an excuse but then heard Damian said, "Mr. Moretti informed me that it's a free afternoon, no work. If you have any more excuses, feel free to share them with me."
He sat calmly on the sofa, prepared for whatever might come next.
Ashley closed her eyes, tightened her grip on the documents, and held them close to her chest. "Mr. Hearst, your actions could easily be misunderstood."
"What do you think others might misunderstand?" he inquired.
There were some things she didn't want to say, as they were too harsh. But Damian's actions were even more unsettling. "Mr. Hearst, even if you and Trinity are just in a mutually beneficial relationship, at least maintain some decency. Sitting in my room, chatting with me, and being disloyal to Trinity affects my reputation. They dare not speak ill of you, so I have to bear all the blame."
Damian raised his chin slightly. "If you don't want others to see, just close the door."
He lingered, and Ashley couldn't bring herself to kick him out. She could only close the door firmly and said, "Mr. Hearst, I need to review the materials. Feel free to do as you please."
Damian took the documents from her and placed them on the counter. "Go change your clothes. We're going out."
"Don't push it too far," Ashley warned.
She wanted to be angry, but it seemed unnecessary. Knowing Damian's character, if she took everything seriously, the next few months would be tough. Fortunately, she was leaving for Taramila tomorrow. She decided to endure it for now.
"How about twenty minutes?" Damian asked.
Ashley didn't replied. She opened her suitcase and took out a set of sportswear before heading to the bathroom.
A loud slam of the door echoed through the room. Ashley was irritated, and the sound of the door closing seemed more audible than usual.
Watching the door slam shut, Damian couldn't help but smile instead of getting angry.
She displayed anger, frustration, and annoyance, each emotion vividly portrayed. It had been a while since he had been around someone so full of vigor.
As they left, Ashley peeked around and, seeing no one nearby, whispered, "Let's go separately. We'll meet downstairs."
Damian stood up. "It's starting to feel like a scene from the Mafia. No need to be so dramatic."
Rolling her eyes, Ashley kept her voice low but firm. "If you don't leave soon, I won't go."
"Alright," Damian replied.
The streets of Dreamvale were intricate, and even locals could get lost. Ashley admired Damian for navigating without a map, driving them to Serros Hall. The alleys they passed all looked the same, and she wouldn't have been able to find her way back.
Stopping the car, Damian rolled down the window. The breeze from Elva River brushed against him, lifting his hair to reveal a handsome face. A passing blonde woman couldn't help but stare.
Ashley smirked. "If Mr. Hearst starred in a city promotional video, Dreamvale's tourism would double."
Damian took her teasing in stride, deliberately turning his head away. With a sharp eyebrow raise and a faint smile, he asked, "How's this?"
Coughing lightly, Ashley walked towards the riverbank, leaning on the railing to gaze across. Tourists surrounded them, and the loud tour guide's voice could be heard in the distance, mentioning Elvin Clock Tower, Dreamvale's Gaze, Eirondia Tower, and more.
Standing beside her, Damian enjoyed the breeze on his face. "Do you like Dreamvale?" he asked.
All Ashley could think about was the upcoming lawsuit and Trinity's absence. She wasn't in the mood to appreciate the scenery. "It's alright, but there are too many same-sex couples."
Perhaps her expression was serious but her words bold, so Damian chuckled. "Have you encountered them?"
It’s a scandal in the past. She wouldn't share with him, Ashley casually replied, "No, just heard about it."
"I did," Damian admitted.
Ashley wasn't surprised by his experiences but rather by his honest. She couldn't help but quip, "Have you caught someone's eye?"
Running a finger along his nose, Damian looked somewhat resigned. "More than once."
Suppressing to laugh, Ashley remarked, "Your looks would attract both men and women in Dreamvale."
Damian glanced at her thoughtfully. "Not always."
After a moment of silence, Ashley walked ahead towards Dreamvale's Gaze. With fewer tourists around at this time, most were waiting for the neon lights to come on in the evening. "When are you and Trinity getting engaged?"
Damian replied, "Are you looking forward to the wedding?"
Ashley paused briefly, thankful that he couldn't see her expression from behind. "I can't afford to attend Mr. Hearst's wedding."
"Do you care so much about my marriage?" He inquired.
"After all, I helped you choose the person," she retorted.
Recalling the day he took her to Lindwell Avenue and spoke in front of Anthony, Ashley's heart still ached.
"No one understands better than you what kind of woman suits me," he had said, asking her to help choose his next wife. It was simply outrageous.
Suddenly stopping his steps, Damian warned, "If I make the wrong choice, Ashley, you'll be responsible!"
