Chapter 197: Getting Married Again
When Damian saw the name on the screen, a wave of loss hit him.
He picked up the phone. "Dad."
Bryan's voice came through. "I heard the news from Eirondia. Looks like you made a good call with Ashley leading the charge. But whether she can keep that so-called sense of justice when it counts is still up in the air."
The sarcasm in his father's voice made Damian frown. "Ashley sticks to the law. She's a good lawyer. It's about the case, not the person."
Bryan chuckled. "Don't underestimate a woman's cunning. Until I see Fred in prison, nothing's certain."
Damian pinched the bridge of his nose. "Anything else, Dad?"
Bryan continued, "I'm not just calling about Ashley. She's not worth my time. We'll have dinner at your grandfather's tonight. Be there early."
Damian's face turned to stone. "I have plans tonight."
Bryan insisted, "Cancel them. Edward, his wife, and Trinity will be there."
Since Trinity got out of the hospital, she visited the Hearst family a lot, often going alone to see Anthony, acting like she was part of the family.
Damian never agreed with this, and his parents' indulgence of Trinity only made the Bezos family more arrogant, even bragging about being Bryan's in-laws.
These days, Damian had no interest in their antics. He chose to ignore them, staying away from home. Only when his mother called to stress the "life-saving grace" did he respond sharply, "I don't care."
Damian asked, "Dad, why tonight?"
With the time difference, their family dinner would coincide with the trial.
Bryan said, "It just happened to be today. Do you think it's fate? Your grandfather values this a lot. You know his health isn't great. If you have any filial piety left, don't upset him. The doctor said he can't be stressed."
By five in the afternoon, Damian still hadn't heard from Ashley.
Was she really going to send her uncle to prison herself?
He wanted to fly over and ask her, "Why are you so stubborn? The way out is right behind you. Why are you so obstinate?"
As the workday ended, senior managers from marketing and procurement came to report. Damian didn't even look, just said, "Redo it."
Those two words hit like thunder, making the two middle-aged men scramble out, legs weak.
Ashley changed into her lawyer's robe, her face showing no emotion.
She and Dante sat in the back of the car, with the driver and Cheryl in the front.
Dante asked, "Ashley, you look good. Ready?"
This was her fourth time in court, and it weighed heavily on her. Her previous calmness came from confidence, but today she was forcing it.
Ashley replied, "We adapt as we go. When are we ever truly ready in this line of work?"
Dante chuckled, "I heard you and Fred are close. Do your parents know about today?"
Ashley said, "If you want to dig into my personal life, find a tabloid reporter. Don't waste your time."
Dante's face darkened. "Looks like you'll win again. That's good. Once this is over, we can go home. I miss our country!"
Ashley ignored him.
These people were superficial. Now that Damian had ignored her, his subordinates didn't respect her.
Before the trial, Ashley saw Fred and his lawyer. Their eyes met, and she felt a stab of pain. Fred walked over and smiled gently. "Don't cry; so many people are watching."
Ashley held back her emotions. "It's not too late. I can find..."
Fred said, "I told you, don't ask him for mercy. This time, we accept the trap. But don't be foolish again. If his goal is to make you bow down, I can't let him succeed. It's just a few years in prison. When I get out, we can start over. I just wasn't skilled enough to get revenge."
Ashley sniffed, holding back tears. "Uncle Fred, don't worry. Once my contract with KM Group ends, I'll find the best lawyer for you and fight for a reduced sentence. I won't let you stay in prison for too long."
Fred patted her shoulder and smiled. "You've even thought of a way out for me. I'm touched."
Ashley's nose felt swollen, and she was on the verge of tears. "Uncle Fred, you can scold me or hit me. It's my fault."
Fred smiled. "Ashley, I have no right to hit you. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be in this tough spot. Alright, go on now, the KM Group's legal team is waiting for you."
Ashley turned her head away and shed a few tears in a secluded corner.
She would rather be scolded by Fred; it would make her feel a bit better. But Fred was so understanding, which made her feel even more guilty.
At five in the afternoon, Nicole called her son again, emphasizing the importance of the evening and urging him to come home early.
Damian replied irritably, "There's an urgent matter at the company, I can't leave."
Nicole insisted, "I asked your secretary about your schedule today. Your evening plans were canceled, so you definitely have no excuse. I've sent a driver to pick you up. He's downstairs now. The Bezos family will be here soon, and you can't keep the guests waiting. It's not proper!"
Damian said, "Mom, do you really see them as guests?"
Nicole sternly replied, "Even if you don't marry Trinity, we'll find another woman for you, but it definitely won't be Ashley. You can delay all you want, but if your grandfather gets angry and falls ill, or decides to name another heir and hand over the company, what will you do then? Do you want to be known as unfilial?"
What Ashley was enduring now was truly unfilial.
Damian thought, 'How's she doing?'
Damian angrily threw the phone.
The driver, seeing that he hadn't come down for a long time, had to come up and find him. "Mr. Damian Hearst, Mr. Anthony Hearst personally gave the order. So..."
Roy had been by Anthony's side for thirty years and had watched Damian grow up. He could see how bad Damian's mood was.
Once in the car, Damian kept his phone in hand.
But even as he approached the gates of his estate, walking along the cobblestone path to the main hall, the phone didn't ring once.
The dining room had been specially decorated, with fresh flowers and red wine prepared.
Edward arrived with his wife and daughter, warmly greeting the Hearst family, making the scene very lively.
Trinity followed her mother, Pamela Gray, and shyly greeted Nicole, "Auntie, your dress is so beautiful today. Only someone with your grace could wear it so well."
Nicole was immune to compliments, and she enjoyed the flattery from her future daughter-in-law. "If you like it, I'll take you to get one made tomorrow. I'll have Virgil Newman rearrange his appointments."
Virgil was a renowned and very picky dress designer. If he didn't agree, no amount of money could persuade him.
Last year, before her birthday, Pamela wanted a dress to show off at a party. She visited Virgil personally, only to be turned away.
Pamela, usually quite proud as the matriarch of a wealthy family, felt inadequate compared to Nicole. In terms of looks, grace, attire, and demeanor, she fell short.
Perhaps the Hearst family's high status naturally made others pale in comparison.
Pamela felt a bit awkward and nudged her daughter. "Silly goose, thank Mrs. Hearst. A dress made by Virgil is highly valuable!"
Trinity quickly linked arms with Nicole. "Thank you, Auntie. You're so kind to me; I don't know how to repay you."
Nicole said, "Just marry into our family smoothly! Besides, I have a whole wardrobe of Virgil's dresses. Pamela, if you don't mind, you can pick a few to take home."
Trinity was warmed by her words, smiling with her lips pursed.
Pamela didn't know whether to feel grateful or embarrassed. Wearing someone else's old clothes seemed a bit shameful.
But others couldn't even wear Nicole's old clothes if they wanted to.
In short, Nicole's words pleased both mother and daughter.
The two families began their dinner amidst the fragrance of flowers and red wine. The exquisite tableware was set on a white tablecloth, and the 6.5 feet long dining table was filled with a festive atmosphere, except for the dark cloud over Damian.
Anthony sat at the head of the table, gently swirling his wine glass. "Damian, we're all gathered here today for your marriage. You should say something."
Trinity shyly lowered her head, her demure demeanor pleasing Nicole greatly.
A daughter-in-law of the Hearst family should be humble and always consider her husband's family.
Damian took a sip of red wine, not even glancing at Trinity across from him. "My marriage? I didn't even know I was getting married again!"
