Chapter 202 Is It Useful? Then Go Ahead and Curse
"Why are you so grumpy today? Something happen?"
Hayden wandered over, not rushing to sit, but instead leaned in to scrutinize Damian's face.
Since his buddy always had the same expression, most people couldn't tell his mood. Seeing him lose it was rare, and Hayden didn't want to miss the chance. He might even brag about it to Jade and the others.
Damian kicked at him. "Get lost."
Hayden quickly stepped back, dodging the kick. "Let me guess, your family's bugging you to get married and it pissed you off? Trinity saved you in Eirondia, and now your grandpa's made her your fiancée. Your parents are back, and they're setting you two up?"
Feeling proud of his deduction, Hayden grinned.
But Damian shot him a look that killed his enthusiasm.
Hayden chuckled awkwardly, grabbed a cigarette from the pack on the table, lit it, and immediately choked. "Damn, is this spiked?"
Damian was picky about his smokes. He enjoyed cigars occasionally but wasn't addicted. Lately, he'd switched to stronger cigarettes, a big change from his usual style. He tapped the pack with his long fingers. "Check it out."
Despite his international schooling and multilingual skills, Hayden couldn't read the language on the pack. He bluffed, "Cohiba?"
Damian sneered, "A few days without women, and you'd be smarter."
Hayden grinned, leaning back and puffing. "It's boring. Those women can't keep my interest for more than three days. Besides trying to please you, they're useless."
Flicking ash off his cigarette, Hayden turned to Damian. "Is it over with Ashley because of her uncle?"
Damian grabbed a bottle of brandy and slammed it in front of him. "Drink up."
Hennessy Timeless Cognac, a collector's edition, tossed out like water, showed how bad his mood was. Hayden rubbed his nose. "Ashley isn't the same as before. She's got looks and brains now. What's even scarier is, I think she's even more gorgeous now. Honestly, since reuniting with her, I've lost interest in other women."
Damian half-closed his eyes. "Want to die?"
Hayden quickly explained, "Not at all! You took down her uncle, which must've hurt Ashley. She's probably ignoring you now, right?"
Damian stayed silent.
Hayden slapped his thigh. "Got it. The only one who can make you drink alone at night is Ashley. But even if you drink yourself to death here, she wouldn't know. She's in Eirondia, probably hating you. If it were me, I'd find a witch to curse you every day."
Damian took a deep drag, the smoke hitting his lungs and making his pupils contract. "I'll fix it."
Hayden poured himself a glass, sniffed it, and tasted it. "Your grandpa and parents are watching you. Trinity's a big obstacle. Shouldn't you deal with her first?"
Damian said, "Trinity?"
Hayden laughed, "Yeah, you haven't confronted her because you want to milk her for all she's worth. But remember, your grandpa's health is fragile. Prioritize his well-being."
Damian frowned.
If it weren't for his grandfather's health, he wouldn't have backed down this much.
Hayden asked, "Ashley is in Eirondia trying to help her uncle. Aren't you going to lend a hand?"
Damian replied in a cold vioce, "If she doesn't ask, why should I help?"
Hayden covered his face helplessly and sighed, "Bro, you're the one who loves her. You need to pursue her, win her back. Are you waiting for her to make the first move? Just help her out quietly, and clean up the mess. When she realizes it, she'll be grateful and fall for you."
Indeed, asking a prince used to being adored to please someone else was tough.
Before Damian could respond, his phone rang.
The number on the screen made his mood darken.
Hayden leaned over to peek. "Not answering? It's your lifesaver, after all."
The ringing continued for a few seconds before Damian swiped to answer, ready to tell her not to bother him again. "Hello."
Trinity quickly spoke, "Mr. Hearst, are you free tomorrow? My wound hurts, and I need a check-up. You have connections at the hospital, can you come with me?"
She rushed her request, fearing Damian would hang up.
Damian asked indifferently, "Why call me? Just see a doctor."
Hearing his words, Hayden rubbed his arms, feeling a chill and getting goosebumps.
Trinity smiled apologetically, "I thought, since you're friends with Hayden, you could help me find the best doctor. Plus, I'm scared to go alone. It's probably post-traumatic stress. I get terrified when I see doctors."
Damian put the call on speaker. "Hayden's here. Ask him."
Hayden gave a thumbs up, mouthing, 'You're ruthless.'
Then he said, "Miss Trinity, this is Hayden."
Trinity was stunned. "Hayden? What a coincidence..."
For the next two minutes, Hayden explained a few things and who to contact at the hospital.
After hanging up, Hayden accidentally opened the photo album. The first picture was a side profile of Ashley, with English architecture in the background and a cup of tea on the table, looking forlorn.
Hayden teased, "Don't tell me you took this secretly."
Damian took the phone and locked the screen.
The photo was sent by Kathy, who said Ashley went to a restaurant alone and looked in bad shape.
Snuffing out his cigarette, Damian strode out.
Hayden raised his voice. "Where are you going?"
Damian didn't look back. "To clean up the mess."
With Hubert's help, Ashley's burden lightened. The next day, she secured the bail application form and started crafting a foolproof strategy.
Her uncle's heart condition was a good excuse, but without an episode, the court wouldn't grant special approval.
Hubert inquired around and informed her of situations where the court might make an exception. Ashley compared and analyzed existing cases.
She decided to focus on her uncle's mental state.
But she wasn't a direct relative, so she needed her cousin's cooperation.
Adam was assertive but reasonable, while Paula saw her as a traitor and wouldn't listen.
Ashley decided to meet Adam alone.
At that moment, Adam called urgently, "Ashley, there's an issue at my restaurant. I'm already at the airport. If you need anything, contact Paula."
Ashley's first thought was that Uncle Fred's case was causing trouble. "What's wrong? Can it be resolved? How can I help?"
Adam said, "The authorities inspected and found many problems, ordering us to close. It's too complicated to explain now. I'm about to board."
The call ended, leaving Ashley with many doubts.
Finally, she called Paula.
Paula exclaimed, "What trick are you trying now? Haven't you caused enough trouble? My dad just went to prison, and the news has already reached Eurostan. People there are attacking us like mad dogs. My brother's restaurant can't even stay open. Ashley, you're a curse. If you want to destroy someone, target your own parents, not us!"
Ashley closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "Paula, if throwing a tantrum and cursing could get Uncle Fred out, you curse all you want. You want to save him, and I want it even more. So can you put your emotions aside for now and vent after this is over?"
Paula snorted, "Fine! I'm busy now. See you at nine tonight."
