Chapter 198: Mr. Hearst's Sense of Crisis
Before the banquet started, Damian got a call from City M.
Dante reported, "Mr. Hearst, we're on a break. The verdict's pretty much set. Ashley defended just like we needed. The evidence is solid, and the jury's decision won't change much."
Damian stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the greenery and flowers in the yard. The outdoor pool reflected the streetlights, with golden fragments breaking in the ripples.
Ashley fought this case exactly as the team required, without favoritism, effectively silencing some people. But how did she feel inside? She must hate him, right?
Damian asked, "Where's Ashley?"
When Dante stepped out to make the call, he saw Ashley talking to Fred in the lounge. He didn't know what they were discussing, but both looked calm, though not happy, unlike the heated courtroom moments.
Recalling the scenes, Dante still felt a thrill. Ashley's angles were really tricky, always managing to shut the other side up at critical moments.
Every time she said, "Just answer yes or no," she created a powerful aura, step by step forcing the other party into a corner.
Under repeated questioning, the plaintiff frequently said "yes," the judge's face gradually darkened, and the jury became increasingly hostile to the defendant.
Dante didn't want to stand against Ashley one day. In his many years of practice, he had encountered numerous skilled opponents, but this woman's terrifying aspect was her extreme calmness and unpredictability. You could never guess her next move and would unknowingly be led by her.
Dante continued, "Ashley talked with Fred for a while. I don't know what they said. They were fiercely arguing in court just now. Ashley's every question aimed to corner the plaintiff's lawyer, and her technique was superb."
Damian's fist clenched in his pocket, his long fingers curling as if trying to grasp something.
The harsher Ashley was to Fred, the more distant she would be from him. Every strike in court meant Ashley had made up her mind.
Damian said, "I see."
Dante couldn't gauge Mr. Hearst's attitude toward Ashley from his tone, but seeing Mr. Hearst's indifferent approach these days, it seemed he had given up on her. "Any other instructions, Mr. Hearst?"
Damian said, "Let me speak to Ashley."
Dante replied, "Yes, Mr. Hearst."
Taking the phone, Ashley said indifferently, "Hello, Mr. Hearst."
When Damian heard her voice again, the distant and unfamiliar feeling deeply imprinted in his heart. It was clearly something called loss.
Damian couldn't help but tug at his tie, standing under the crystal chandelier, still shrouded in gloom. "Why didn't you contact me?"
A clear female voice came from the other side, even with an inadvertent laugh, "Mr. Hearst, are you dissatisfied with our work or have additional requirements?"
Damian whispered, "You know what I mean."
Ashley said, "I don't know your thoughts. I dare not guess your mind."
Every word pushed him away forcefully, the distant yet polite tone completely disrupting Damian's mood. "That money isn't significant enough for me to make a fuss in court."
Ashley sneered, "Mr. Hearst, what do you want to do? Since you didn't want to go to court, why sign a contract with me, insist on sending the defendant to jail, and add the condition that he can't return to the country? Did I misunderstand your intentions, or are you being inconsistent, deliberately confusing me?"
Damian pinched his brow. She was so mean. "Fred is your uncle. Didn't you think of doing something for him?"
Ashley mocked, "Mr. Hearst, did I hear wrong? Are you suggesting your lawyer plead for the defendant because he's my uncle? Did Mr. Hearst just find out today?"
Damian's face darkened. "Ashley, what's with the attitude?"
Ashley replied, "Sorry, if my attitude offended you, Mr. Hearst. The case is basically over. Dante probably told you the likely outcome. As your lawyer, I have a clear conscience. As for my matters, you need not worry."
Sensing she was about to hang up, Damian said, "Do you really have to draw such a clear line?"
Ashley laughed bitterly, "Mr. Hearst, you shouldn't blame me for doing my job diligently. What should I do? Secretly leak information to the defendant, help him evade legal punishment? Plead for him, bow to you and admit fault? If I did that, what would you say?"
Damian was furious. "You..."
Ashley cut him off, "The court is about to reconvene. I have to hang up. Goodbye, Mr. Hearst."
The phone went silent, as if she had exited his world, disappearing like smoke.
At that moment, Damian's sense of loss and anger took root, growing vigorously, instantly becoming overwhelming.
No, he couldn't allow the past to repeat.
Halfway through the seemingly harmonious dinner, both parents wore masks of hypocrisy, exchanging compliments and flattery with the wine, outwardly warm and beautiful, but each with their own calculations.
Damian watched coldly, constantly recalling the phone call with Ashley.
Every indifferent answer from her struck his heart, each one more ruthless than the last.
Those words were undoubtedly a double-edged sword, hurting each other.
"Damian, we are all gathered here today for your marriage. You should say something."
Anthony suddenly pointed out the purpose of today, pulling him into the center of the whirlpool.
Damian held the wine glass with his long fingers, took a sip, and with eyes dyed by the chill of late autumn, filled with endless sarcasm, said, "My marriage? I didn't know I was getting married again!"
With one sentence, he turned the lively dining table into a graveyard, silent as death.
Bryan said sternly, "What are you talking about? You and Trinity have been through so much together, sharing life and death. You should be very clear about her feelings for you!"
Among those present, only Trinity knew Damian had no intention of developing further with her. It was she who repeatedly followed the wishes of both parents, thinking that as long as she cornered Damian, the marriage would be settled.
It wasn't time to reveal everything yet, so Trinity remained silent for now.
Edward smiled but felt furious inside. Damian had embarrassed him in public, clearly bullying him. He asked, "Mr. Hearst, are you dissatisfied with my daughter?"
Pamela also chimed in, "Trinity has suffered a lot for Mr. Hearst. He must be moved, just that young people sometimes say one thing and mean another."
Nicole stared at her son, worried that he would disregard everyone's face. If he angered Anthony, he wouldn't be able to secure his position as the president of KM Group.
His cousins and relatives were all eyeing the position, and they always followed Anthony's wishes. They wouldn't dare defy him, wishing they could read Anthony's mind and preemptively do what he desired.
Only Damian didn't care about his image in his grandfather's eyes.
"Trinity is gentle, generous, and sensible. Your grandfather thinks highly of her. You should trust his judgment!"
Nicole didn't want to make the situation worse and gave her son an out.
But Damian had no intention of letting it go. "Trinity risked her life to save me. I will repay that kindness, but not in the form of marriage." He looked across the long table at Trinity, with a knowing look. "What do you think, Trinity?"
