Chapter 188 Turning into a Peacock, Flying into the Door
Ashley waited all afternoon, but still didn't hear a word from Curtis.
She searched the news online but found nothing about any special incidents at the KM Road Eirondia branch, and even her own lawsuit hadn't received any media coverage.
It seemed KM Road had done an excellent job controlling the narrative.
After all, it's an internal scandal. Once exposed to the public eye, it will inevitably lead to a drop in stock prices and a tarnished company image.
Around four o'clock, Ashley received a call from her father.
Listening to her father's affectionate voice, Ashley's nose tingled, and she whined, "Dad, you haven't called me in a long time."
Since she returned to the country, her parents had very little contact with her. The reason was simple. Her parents didn't want to pressure her, and every contact undoubtedly reminded her of everything that had happened, dragging her back from her current happy life to the heavy past.
Todd indulgently coaxed, "I know you're doing well and busy with work. I don't want to disturb you. I can't help you now, and the least I can do is not cause you trouble."
Ashley rubbed her nose, trying to hide her sobs, "Sister-in-law said you're busy arranging the storefront. Is everything going well?"
Todd said everything was fine, then asked about her life and work. After chatting for a few minutes, he said gently, "Fred called today."
Didn't Fred say he wouldn't told them?
Ashley steadied her emotions. "Really? What did you talk about?"
Her father wouldn't call specifically for that, would he?
Todd said, " Not much, just some family talk. Fred's family has had a hard time living in Eurostan all these years. If he hadn't supported the company, he wouldn't have been dragged into this mess. I owe him."
Ashley's eyes welled up, unable to think about the past. Fred had mortgaged all his personal assets to help the company recover its losses. When the bank seized his assets, he couldn't even go home and had to move to Eurostan out of necessity.
"Fred is Mom's brother. If it were my brother, he would unconditionally help me. Families don't keep secrets from each other. Fred has never blamed us, Dad; don't burden yourself so much."
Todd responded, " If you get a chance to go to Eurostan, visit him for me."
Ashley didn't want to worry her parents for the time being, so after considering it, she decided not to mention meeting Fred yet. "Of course, I also miss him and Aunt Kathleen."
After a moment of hesitation, Todd asked tactfully, "You haven't been in contact with the Hearst family, have you?"
Ashley bit her finger, lying down, her voice muffled. "Dad..."
"I went to the hospital today to take care of your mom. When she was clear-headed, she kept reminding me to tell you not to get involved with the Hearst family. She knows her daughter best. Every time you encounter Damian, you turn into a fool. We're afraid you'll be hurt by the Hearst family again. You may be a smart lawyer, but you're no match for Damian."
Ashley guiltily buried her chin in the pillow, feeling as if many eyes were staring at her. At this moment, lying in the room Damian had arranged, she felt the taste of punishment, like sitting on pins and needles.
"I'll listen to you and won't do anything foolish."
Todd patted his daughter's head over the phone. "You're my daughter, and I've never allowed you to suffer injustice. Even though we can't provide you with the same material security at home now, as long as I'm here, I won't let you suffer again. We're not afraid of anything else; we're just afraid that Damian will use sweet words and psychological tactics on you. He is too cunning and unpredictable; even Dad can be manipulated by him, let alone you."
With a heavy tone, Todd almost handed out all the tenderness to her. Ashley couldn't hold back her tears anymore, each one seeping into the pillow, "I understand, Dad."
Putting down her phone, Ashley stared blankly, tracing the embroidery edge of the pillow with her fingers.
Every word her father said was wise when she was rational, but in the heat of the moment, she shut her eyes and let her emotions run wild.
If her parents knew she was relying on Damian's resources for her career, they'd be heartbroken and disappointed.
The melancholy didn't last long; Curtis finally sent a message: [An accident happened. It's been taken care of; Damian is more formidable than I imagined.]
Ashley breathed a sigh of relief: [That's good. Are you still in Dreamvale?]
Curtis had only experienced a small part of Damian's prowess.
Curtis replied: [Yes, there are still some minor troubles.]
It's not that Curtis didn't want to tell her about Trinity's injury, but Damian instructed not to mention it to her.
He couldn't understand why he couldn't say it. They knew each other, and friends should at least check on each other.
In any case, he didn't understand their mindset.
Damian informed Edward about the accident in Dreamvale, but he didn't shirk the responsibility that he should bear, and he didn't show the slightest bit of guilt that he shouldn't have. This also made Edward, who wanted to take the opportunity to make a request, shut his mouth, and only said, "We'll move to Dreamvale right now, and we'll be counting on you over there."
Damian's assurance that "You can rest assured" was enough to silence them.
However, the Bezos family was easy to deal with, but they encountered a big problem with the grandfather.
Anthony called, his tone aggressive. "She risked her life to save you, showing genuine feelings for you. You shouldn't be picky. I used to set you two up, thinking that the Bezos family could stand alongside the Hearst family. Now it seems that the Bezos family's child must be brought into the family!"
Damian's eyes were deep as the sea, his voice low and steady. "She saved my life, but I may not necessarily need to marry her. Are you regressing, Grandpa?"
"Nonsense! It's not easy to repay a life-saving favor. Arrange a special plane, and when her condition stabilizes, bring her back. Trinity is the Hearst family's benefactor; she can't be treated lightly. Your parents should have received the news; they are satisfied with this daughter-in-law. Saving you is better than harming you!"
Before Damian could speak again, the older man hung up the phone.
A few minutes later, his father called.
He started, "Kid, all those years of boxing for nothing? A man needing a woman to save him? I heard it was a weak middle-aged man."
Damian's voice turned cold. "It's unnecessary."
"That's because you gave someone the chance for unnecessary actions. It shows your shortcomings."
After the criticism, Bryan added, "Edward called me. On the surface, he comforted me not to worry. But in reality, he reminded me that now their family has done you a favor, this marriage must have a clear stance."
Damian sneered, "I 'won't comply just because they want it!"
"Do you want to shirk responsibility? My son can't be a coward. I haven't had much contact with Trinity, but your grandfather says she's sensible and cultured and knows the depth; your grandfather's judgment of people is never wrong."
Damian couldn't be bothered. "Leave it aside now."
"I discussed with your mother. We'll formally propose when that girl wakes up. You have no say this time."
The call then switched to Nicole. "I won't interfere in KM Road's lawsuit with Ashley. I won't ask or say a word. You're a man. you can indulge in familiar pleasures. But marriage in the Hearst family isn't your decision. You're KM Road's heir; don't ruin your future."
In Damian's deep eyes, layers of waves stirred. There was no hint of anything unusual on the surface, but in reality, there were already hidden undercurrents. "You and father are really busy. You don't forget to investigate your biological son even on vacation."
Since his parents knew that Ashley was the lawyer for the KM Road lawsuit this time, his actions in Eirondia could not escape their scrutiny.
Thinking of their omnipresent scrutiny, Damian's voice turned icy, "This matter has nothing to do with Ashley. She was hired and it was my idea."
Nicole chuckled lightly. "Don't tell me after all these years, you've developed feelings for her? Pull yourself together, son. Even if Ashley turns into a peacock, she won't fly into our Hearst family's door."
