Chapter 219 Faye Hearst Was a Taboo in the Family
Ashley couldn't see Damian's charming smile, and her disgust remained. "Sorry, I'm not as free as you."
Damian hid his embarrassment, pressing his fingers to his nose. "So, what's your plan? Clearing your name in a cold case without evidence isn't easy."
If she just said the word, he'd turn Rochester City upside down to find the culprit and ask him to apologize on his knees.
But Ashley no longer relied on her ex-husband, even though she knew Damian was powerful. "I can't disclose that. Also, because you disrupted things, I might not be able to deal with Trinity as I promised."
Damian sneered, "So you're breaking your promise?"
Ashley paused. "I'll speed things up."
Damian wanted to say he'd handle it without her, but he worried he'd lose his reason to stay in touch with her. "Don't let me down."
Ending the call, Damian left the study.
Nicole hurried over, grabbing his arm anxiously. "Damian, how could you be so foolish? Your marriage to Trinity was approved by your grandfather. You should explain to him first. How will you handle this? He'll find out soon."
Damian was weary. "Mom, are you worried about Grandpa's health or that he'll be disappointed and not give me KM Group?"
Nicole paused. "How can you say that?"
Damian brushed off her hand, his face stern. "If you're worried about Grandpa, visit him more, take care of him, and maybe you'll gain more favor."
Nicole trembled with anger, her silk dress wrinkling. "I'm doing this for you. I want you to reach the top to prevent your uncles and cousins from making things difficult. The Hearst family may seem harmonious, but there are many schemes behind the scenes."
Damian's eyes darkened.
Seeing him stop retorting, Nicole sighed, her voice tinged with tears. "Daughters are better; they understand a mother's hardships. My poor daughter."
She clutched her clothes, tears streaming down her face.
Damian stepped forward to support her, lowering his tone. "Don't think about those things. Take care of yourself."
Nicole's eyes were filled with tears, crow's feet appearing. "Damian, I can't get over this. I just can't."
Damian remained silent.
Faye Hearst had been missing for three years, neither alive nor dead. The resources the Hearst family had mobilized found nothing.
His mother prayed in church but still found nothing.
Damian couldn't forget his mother's heartbroken despair.
Afterward, his mother tearfully said she'd stop searching, but she couldn't let go of Faye.
His father had mostly withdrawn from managing KM Group, accompanying his mother for relaxation and therapy, traveling, and receiving counseling.
Faye was a taboo in the Hearst family. Her belongings were stored in another house to avoid reminding his mother.
To this day, his mother didn't know the last person Faye saw before she disappeared was Ashley.
If she knew...
Damian didn't want to think further.
Ashley quickly called Paula. "Speed up what I asked you to do."
Paula was reluctant but didn't argue. "Do you think the visa center is my family's business? I just got the visa and I'm heading to Rochester City today."
Ashley asked, "Are you mad at me?"
Paula softened immediately. "I didn't mean it that way."
Ashley snorted, "Remember, Paula, I'm doing this to save your dad. As for you framing me, we're not even yet."
Paula muttered, "Don't push it!"
"Push it? What about the dirty things you did?"
Paula quickly composed herself and smiled politely. "Ashley, don't be mad. I have to board the plane now, so I'll talk to you later."
Ashley hung up, rubbing her temples in frustration.
Damian blocking the trending searches was helpful, but it also blocked her investigation leads.
Now that the other side knew Damian was on her side, they wouldn't reveal any clues easily.
Men, such a nuisance!
In the afternoon, Ashley returned to the law firm. She was there for business, but overheard some gossip as soon as she walked in.
Juliana pulled her into an empty meeting room. "Ashley, come here."
After closing the door and pulling down the blinds, Juliana rubbed her hands together. "Ashley, Hendrix and Lynn had a big fight. They used to argue in private, but today Hendrix called her out as soon as he walked in."
Ashley couldn't help but twitch her facial muscles. "Weren't they back together? Lynn was still acting like Mrs. Long yesterday."
Juliana added, "Everyone thought they were back together, but it was actually Lynn's doing. She begged Hendrix not to announce their breakup, but recently she's been frequently going to his office, acting flirtatiously, so she fooled everyone. But..."
Juliana hesitated.
Ashley sensed something important. "Is there something you can't say?"
"They had a falling out today, and Lynn didn't hold back. She publicly accused you of seducing Hendrix, saying he cheated on her with you, and that you have a boyfriend but are still involved with him, implying you two are..."
Juliana didn't repeat the harsh words, as she didn't believe Ashley was that kind of person.
Even if she didn't say it, Ashley could guess and sneered, "Looks like my judgment of people needs some serious work. I thought Lynn was sensible and smart, but she chose the path to ruin."
She had already said she had no feelings for Hendrix, but Lynn still saw her as a mortal enemy.
Juliana opened a crack in the door. "Lynn went back to her desk crying."
Ashley thanked her. "Thanks, Juliana."
Riley exclaimed, "Ashley, you're here!"
Ashley remained unfazed. "Surprised?"
Riley snorted, "I heard you were in trouble. Are you okay?"
Other colleagues peeked curiously from behind their desks, wondering if the well-resourced Ashley would cry in bad luck.
However, she remained exceptionally calm. "I'm fine."
Some were disappointed, while others admired her.
Riley was among the disappointed ones. She sarcastically remarked, "I'm so jealous of you, Ashley. Wherever you go, someone protects you. You're so lucky to have Damian release personal photos on the same day. Wow, you must have saved the galaxy in your past life!"
Riley didn't like Ashley, partly out of sympathy for Lynn and partly out of jealousy. She had been waiting to celebrate Ashley's downfall, but Ashley's news disappeared, and Damian's news swept the internet.
Ashley, in her high heels, was half a head taller than Riley. With a slight smile and a fierce look in her eyes, she said, "Riley, watch your mouth."
