Chapter 214 Stirring Up Trouble
Threaten her?
Ashley ran her fingers over the terrace plants, watching Damian's blurry reflection in the glass. He said he was meeting Hayden for dinner, but Hayden was nowhere to be seen.
Ashley said, "Since you know each other, it's only polite to say hello first. They're elders, after all."
Damian's face was unclear in the glass, but his cold laugh on the phone said it all. "Aren't you afraid I'll expose the act you and Harold put on?"
Ashley was speechless.
Given his unpredictable behavior today, Ashley had no idea what he'd do next. She steadied herself and said, "We're both single. It's not an act; it's about seeing if we get along. Character will show if it's right or not."
She subtly insulted him.
The shadow in the glass suddenly stood up, those long legs heading straight to the window table. Ashley's heart skipped a beat.
Damian added, "Speaking of character, I should share some details about the 'perfect daughter-in-law' with some acquaintances, so they don't get burned."
Ashley put down her phone and rushed back, but it was too late. Damian was already standing there, facing Jason and his wife.
Was he nuts?
Ashley heard Damian's smooth voice. "Mr. Brin, Mrs. Brin, nice to see you again."
Jason and his wife's faces changed. Jason stood up, trembling, not knowing what to do with his hands. "Mr. Hearst?"
He probably never imagined he'd meet Damian again, whom he saw once at a private party in Rochester City two years ago, without even speaking to him. And now Damian was greeting him first?
Oh my God, could Ashley really be their daughter-in-law, bringing them luck even before joining the family?
Everyone knew Damian's identity was mysterious, and he rarely appeared in public. He only showed up at that party because the host was a big deal, and the event was super exclusive, with just a few dozen close people attending.
Luckily, Jason's father had been a comrade of that big deal and had done him a favor, so he got an invite. Such chances were once in a lifetime.
But with his status, it was tough to strike up a conversation with Damian.
Sofia was so shocked she dropped her spoon and stood up, speechless.
Harold was the only one who kept some composure, but Damian's authoritative presence was intimidating. With his parents' reactions, Harold didn't dare to act rashly.
Damian's face was calm and emotionless. Though he initiated the greeting, his authority was clear. "Have you finished eating?"
Jason, good at reading people, caught his drift and quickly suggested, "No, we've just started. Mr. Hearst, if you're willing, would you like to join us?"
He then gave up the main seat and ordered the waiter to clear the table and bring new utensils. It was all done swiftly.
Sofia's fingers trembled, and it took her a while to speak. "Mr. Hearst, what do you like to eat?"
Damian glanced at the half-eaten dishes and didn't plan to eat. "No need to trouble yourself, Mrs. Brin. What to eat doesn't matter."
He spoke politely, but Sofia still had to be careful. She ordered the restaurant's best dishes, feeling both regretful that today's place was too ordinary and lucky to have met Mr. Hearst.
Damian chatted with Jason, mostly giving brief, polite responses.
Jason, however, was thrilled. Getting familiar with Damian could be a huge help in the future if any trouble arose.
The business world was like a battlefield, and having more friends meant more options. Damian could help in emergencies or even save a company.
Harold got pulled into the conversation by his dad. "Mr. Hearst, this is my son, Harold. He's a lawyer and has a firm with his friends."
Damian calmly said, "I know. Sky Balance Law Firm handled a few cases for KM Group, and Ashley was the agent."
Jason was so surprised his jaw almost dropped.
His son hadn't mentioned a word! What a blockhead!
Speaking of Ashley, Sofia finally calmed down enough to ask, "Where's Ashley? Still on the phone?"
Harold thought, she better stay on the phone all night and not come back.
Jason glanced at the terrace, "Isn't that her? She's coming over."
Hiding wasn't a long-term solution. If she wasn't there, she wouldn't know what Damian might say. Returning to her seat, Ashley tried to stay natural and relaxed. "Mr. Hearst, do you know each other?"
Jason, feeling quite dignified due to Damian's presence, straightened his back and laughed. "Yes, we go way back. Mr. Hearst mentioned you've handled cases for KM Group and always come out on top. Quite impressive."
Ashley nodded. "Just minor cases, hardly worth noting. Grateful to Mr. Hearst for the chance."
Damian wore a meaningful, mischievous smile. "Just found it pleasing to the eye."
This remark made the atmosphere at the table very awkward.
Sofia quickly exchanged glances with her husband. What did that mean? Pleasing to the eye? Could it be that Mr. Hearst was interested in the person, not the work?
Looking at Ashley, who was as beautiful as a fairy, men would be moved, and women would be jealous. Of course, she would easily attract attention!
Oh no, her son and Damian were interested in the same girl?
No need to think to know there was no chance of winning!
But wasn't there a rumor that Mr. Hearst was engaged to Trinity?
Well, with wealthy people's marriages, who could take them seriously? Even if they got married, no one could stop them from finding lovers.
Jason forced a smile. "Ashley and my son went to school together at Sylvania..."
Damian said, "I know. They are both alumni and colleagues. Many things Ashley did after returning to the country were helped by your son. Thank you."
This tone of "my woman has troubled you, and I will repay you in the future," how should it be interpreted?
Ashley frowned. "Harold and I have been friends for many years, often helping each other abroad. We're closer than family."
Harold grinned. He could see the situation clearly. Damian definitely had impure motives towards Ashley. "I heard Mr. Hearst and Miss Bezos from Emperial Avenue groups are about to get engaged. Let me toast you and congratulate you in advance."
Ashley silently gave a thumbs up. Well done, bold enough.
Damian didn't touch his wine glass, his tone casual yet serious. "As a lawyer, Harold should know that any statement is just a rumor until confirmed by the person involved. Ashley has explained legal principles to me many times in private. Jumping to conclusions and treating rumors as facts, can that be considered defamation?"
