Chapter 203 Plotting
Paula had set up the meeting at a bar on Spring Street.
Regarding her cousin's lifestyle, Ashley had warned her not to go to the bars frequently. Clearly, Paula hadn't given up her bar-hopping ways.
Inside, the loud DJ music and flashing lights made everything chaotic. Ashley pushed through the crowd to a quieter bar counter but she couldn't spot Paula anywhere.
She called out, "Paula, I'm here. Where are you?"
Ashley found a spot with a good view and scanned the dim hall.
Paula's voice came through the phone, but it was too noisy to hear. Ashley covered one ear and pressed the phone to the other. "What? The terrace? Okay."
She shouted, her throat burning. How could they talk here?
Next to the bar was the restroom, and beyond that, a terrace. Ashley braced herself to push through the crowd again, wondering why everyone in Eirondia seemed to be crammed into this bar.
The terrace was semi-open with just a bench and a table. One streetlight was broken, making it dim.
Ashley grew more worried with each step. Meeting at a bar was one thing, but why meet at such a creepy place?
A bad thought crossed her mind. She remembered cases of people being ambushed by acquaintances at night, ranging from robbery to assault, and the worst ending in death.
She pondered, 'Could Paula be planning revenge?'
Ashley stopped and stood in the light, ready to call Paula to confirm. Before she could dial, a name popped up on her phone.
The name "Damian" appeared like a venomous beast, making her phone seem menacing.
Ashley looked up at the dark sky, on edge. She gritted her teeth. "Mr. Hearst, what do you want?"
"Where are you?"
She thought, 'How ridiculous! What right did he have to ask?'
Ashley snorted, "None of your business. If you have nothing else, I'm hanging up."
Damian's voice turned cold. "I'm in the City M."
Ashley was stunned. "So what?"
"Where are you?"
Was he trying to meet up? She didn't want to.
"The moon." She hung up angrily but then sent her location to Harold on WhatsApp, just in case Paula was up to something.
"Ashley! Ashley, help me!"
Ashley tensed up, hearing the voice from the greenery ahead.
She ran forward. "Paula! I'm here, don't be afraid."
Paula's voice grew more desperate. "Ashley, hurry up! Help me!"
Ashley grabbed her bag and searched for the voice, but it was too dark. She pushed through the tangled plants and heard crying. "Hold on!"
"Ashley!"
The voice was close. Ashley stumbled through the uneven ground, her steps crunching on fallen leaves, creating an eerie sound.
She slipped and fell into a pit, finally seeing twisted black figures.
"Another pretty girl, huh? Haha!"
A beam of light hit Ashley's face, blinding her. She shielded her eyes and saw a face approaching.
A stranger, about thirty, wearing a baseball cap, stood in front of Ashley. Behind him, another man wrestled with Paula on the ground.
Ashley swallowed, her palms sweating. She tried to steady her voice. "What's your intention? Let her go, and we can talk."
The man spat, his eyes roaming over Ashley's face. He pinched her chin roughly. "You're so beautiful, even better than her."
Based on her past experiences, Ashley quickly guessed they were after money or beauty. She'd only read about such situations in novels. Now, she was living it. Her mind was a mess, but she took a deep breath and spoke calmly, "Yes, I'm prettier than her. Whether it's money or looks, she can't compete with me. Let her go, and deal with me."
The man lifted her chin, licking his lips. His face showed amusement and greed. "You're quite brave. I like it. Want to save her?"
Paula wailed on the ground. "Ashley, I'm so scared. Save me, save me."
Ashley discreetly unlocked her phone in her bag, trying to call for help. "Alright, name your price. How much?"
The man snatched her bag and threw it on the ground. "Haha! Money? Do I look like I need money? You, come here!"
He crooked his finger, giving Ashley a greasy, dangerous smile.
Ashley's knees went weak, but she held her ground and took a small step forward. "Let her up first."
The man waved his flashlight at Ashley's neckline. "Sure, show me your body."
There was no one around. This was a pre-selected blind spot for surveillance. Even if she screamed, no one would come.
Ashley meditated, 'What to do? Let them have their way?'
Her mind raced. Ashley summoned all her calm and courage. "Okay, have your friend let go of her, and I'll do as you say."
The man gave a signal, and the other man pulled Paula up, holding her by the neck. "Come on, what are you waiting for?"
Paula sobbed, "Ashley, hurry up, they're going to kill me!"
Ashley's back was cold, her fingers icy. Her face turned pale, showing no emotion.
"Fuck! Are you kidding me?"
The man grew impatient and grabbed Ashley's collar. With a rip, her cotton shirt tore open, revealing her undergarments and her figure in the light.
The man's eyes widened, swallowing hard. He looked back at Paula. "Hey, I don't want your money. I want this woman!"
Ashley grabbed the man's fingers, stopping him from going further. She looked at Paula. "What did he say? Paula!"
Paula impatiently shook off the man's arm and adjusted her clothes. "What do you think? Ashley. Aren't you supposed to be smart?"
Ashley questioned, "Paula! You set me up?!"
"Ashley, you can't always have good luck. You need to suffer sometimes. Besides, you're already someone else's used woman. So why pretend to be innocent?"
Paula patted the man's shoulder. "She's all yours. Do whatever you want."
The man didn't expect such a windfall. He grinned, "Okay!"
With that, he grabbed Ashley's arm, pulling her into his embrace, tearing at her clothes.
Images of her and Damian's reenactment flashed in Ashley's mind. Against absolute strength, a woman had no chance!
Ashley yelled in desperation, "Help! Help!"
A dull thud suddenly broke the air.
The man holding her was knocked down by a shadow, crashing into a tree at a strange angle.
Ashley, propelled by inertia, fell forward but didn't hit the ground. Instead, she collided with a firm, broad chest.
A familiar Tahitian scent emanated from him, mixed with a menacing aura and a pounding heartbeat. In the darkness, she couldn't see his face, but she felt a strong arm firmly pulling her close.
