Chapter 178 A Familiar Figure
'Change the lawyer? Is Fred in a lawsuit?'
As a lawyer, Ashley had reasons and responsibilities to ask more questions, but when Fred saw her coming, he quickly hung up the phone and didn't mention what had just happened, only warmly saying, "Ashley is here. Have a seat."
Ashley thought that Fred probably didn't want his private affairs to be known by her, a younger generation, so she stopped asking. After sitting down and seeing Fred's face clearly, she felt her heart ache instantly.
He had obviously aged. Back when he held a high position, living a life of luxury, although the pressure of being an executive was great, he had absolute security in life. Now, Fred had quite a few white hairs at his temples, more wrinkles on his face, and signs of sunken eyes.
And Fred was not even sixty yet, only four years older than her mother.
These three years, his life must have been difficult.
When relatives reunite, there were many things they wanted to say, but in the end, they spoke the most common and ordinary words.
Ashley smiled obediently, "How have you been recently, Fred? Are you adapting well in Americastan?"
Fred repeatedly said, "Good, quite good. My wife and I studied in Eurostan when we were young, so we are still quite adapted to life there. Your cousin and your sister have also found jobs they like over there. Everything is good."
Families were best at reporting good news without reporting worries. Ashley didn't know if Fred's words were true or false, but seeing the fatigue in his eyes, she felt a pang in her heart. "That's good, Eurostan is very livable. Aunt can take care of her health there. By the way, are you here for business or something else?"
Fred's eyes deepened for a moment before returning to normal. "It's considered work, just a minor matter. Ashley, what would you like to drink? I remember you used to love Earl Grey tea, shall I get you a cup of it?"
Ashley's nose tingled again. Fred still remembered her taste preferences, but times had changed, and she hadn't sat down comfortably to enjoy tea in a long time. "Sure, I'll have one, and I'd like a chiffon cake as well."
Fred smiled affectionately, but he couldn't tease this grown-up girl anymore, or he would end up calling her a greedy child like before. After ordering tea and dessert, he said, "I heard you're suing KM Road?"
Ashley was puzzled. How did Fred know? If he knew, did her parents know too?
If her mother found out that she was still involved with KM Road, would she have another relapse?
Suppressing her uneasiness, Ashley cautiously asked, "Who told you that?"
She hadn't publicly announced the lawsuit against KM Road, so the news shouldn't have leaked.
Fred spoke with emphasis, "I have an old friend working in the court. He mentioned it to me, and I didn't believe it at first, but seeing your reaction, it seems true. Ashley, you're helping KM Road, I won't say anything, but we must keep our personal and professional lives separate. You should still maintain a distance from the Hearst family's people to avoid harm."
As the tea arrived, Ashley thanked him and held the small spoon, concealing a hint of guilt in her eyes. "This matter is complicated. Fred, please rest assured. I won't do anything foolish."
Fred nodded with a smile. "You are smart, Ashley. I trust you can protect yourself. As for the lawsuit, I won't tell your parents."
If they found out, there would probably be another storm. Their most beloved daughter, protected as if she were their heart, shouldn't return to that dangerous place again.
The two chatted for a while, sharing their overseas experiences of the past few years, with bitterness hidden within.
After drinking most of the tea, Fred asked with a pensive expression, "Ashley, as a lawyer, what do you think is the most important thing?"
He became serious suddenly. Ashley couldn't play around like a child anymore and replied earnestly, "As a lawyer, it is essential to uphold the fairness and justice of the law and protect the legitimate rights and interests of the parties involved."
Fred nodded slowly, looking at her with a gentle yet firm gaze. "There is no absolute justice in the world, nor absolute fairness. The power of speech is only in the hands of a few. If one day, you have to choose between justice and emotions, what would you do?"
Ashley couldn't answer immediately. The question was too heavy.
She thought of her parents and older brother. If the court's accusations were correct, then they were criminals who should be legally punished. But she didn't want to condemn them in her heart.
Fred patted the fist she held on the table. He was still gentle as he said, "Ashley, as long as you have a balance in your heart and persist in doing the right thing, you can be at peace."
His words were quite strange, and Ashley felt he was implying something. "Are you facing a difficult problem? Legal issues? Maybe I can help you."
Fred shook his head. "Focus on your work. I can handle this little matter."
At this moment, Damian and Curtis's car had already arrived in M City.
Entering the city center, the driver slowed down the car, skillfully stopping outside various iconic buildings to let Damian, the foreign friend, enjoy the local scenery.
Curtis had long been tired of seeing the buildings in Eirondia and looked around aimlessly.
When he caught sight of a familiar figure through the floor-to-ceiling window, he thought he was mistaken and exclaimed, "Damian, isn't that Ashley?"
Damian, holding his phone, hesitated whether to contact Ashley in advance or go directly to the hotel to find her. Hearing the reminder in his ear, he glanced out the window. Behind the clean glass was Ashley in a dress, holding a cup of tea, with a beautiful smile on her face, looking relaxed.
And across from her...
Damian's pupils constricted.
Fred?
So far, they hadn't uncovered the mastermind behind their legal accusations. He didn't expect them to connect so quickly. He looked at the harmonious and happy scene and wondered if Ashley and Fred had reached an agreement to escape legal sanctions together.
His fingers pressed tightly against the metal edge of the phone. His knuckles gradually tensed from the force.
"Stop the car. I'm going to find Ashley!"
Excitedly, Curtis was ready to jump out, but Damian firmly held his shoulder, keeping him in his seat. "Sit down."
The voice was low, but was wrapped in intimidation and coldness.
Startled by his firmness, Curtis sat down obediently, not moving again. He just muttered unwillingly, "Why can't we find Ashley? We came to M City to see her!"
Damian answered him with an even colder look, finally bringing silence to the car.
Saying goodbye to Fred, Ashley felt heavy-hearted.
Was it because she had experienced these things that made her thoughts too sensitive, or did Fred indeed have something he was hiding from her?
Her phone rang when she was lost in thoughts.
Damian sure knew how to find the right timing.
"Mr. Hearst, have you arrived?"
Damian's voice was enough to turn the warm cafe into an icy chamber. "Where are you?"
"I'm out, not at the hotel. Mr. Hearst, give me a location, and I'll come find you."
Damian's voice turned cold. "Even if I give you a location, you won't find it. You're not familiar with M City, are you?"
What was wrong with him?
How did she upset him again?
Ashley picked up her bag and walked out of the cafe. "I won't get lost. I'll take a taxi."
Damian gave her an address, a long string of words, speaking quickly and not repeating it a second time.
Ashley blinked. "Sorry?"
