Chapter 220 I'll Sue You
Before Ashley showed up, Lynn and Hendrix's argument had already left everyone stunned, especially with Lynn's bold words.
Riley, who always saw Ashley as a rival, wasn't about to miss a chance to confront her.
Ashley was in a career slump, and her relationship drama was public. She seemed down and out. No matter how proud she was, what could she do now? She might even have to pack up and leave soon.
Riley straightened up and sneered, "Ashley, you've got a boyfriend but still go after other men. Aren't you overdoing it? Flirting with your boss while your boyfriend's away, and hitting on Hendrix even though he has a girlfriend. Lynn and Hendrix have been together for over two years, and everyone knows they're solid and heading for marriage. You're just shameless!"
Riley made sure everyone in the office could hear her.
She wanted to show her loyalty to Lynn, hoping to strengthen their friendship and get Lynn's resources in the future.
Lately, she'd noticed Lynn had great resources, while Ashley was always dealing with tough cases, retaliation, or cyberbullying. Ashley was a magnet for trouble.
Riley's outburst got everyone's attention. They pretended to work but were all ears.
Hendrix, already furious from his fight with Lynn, kicked his chair. Hearing Riley's rant only poured gasoline on the fire of his anger, making him even angrier.
He kicked open the office door, ready to confront Riley.
Juliana grabbed his arm and shook her head, "Hendrix, don't. If you get involved, it'll just make things worse."
Hendrix, usually polite to Harold's secretary, snapped, "What are you doing?"
Juliana explained, "Everyone thinks you and Ashley are having an affair. If you defend her, it'll just confirm the rumors. Let Ashley handle it."
Hendrix looked at the chaos, his temple veins throbbing. How did Riley get hired? "Ashley, she..."
Juliana said softly, "Trust Ashley. If she couldn't handle Riley, she wouldn't have won so many battles."
Ashley didn't take Riley seriously. She chuckled, "Riley, who are you trying to impress?"
Riley was about to respond, but Ashley cut her off, "I didn't want to explain because I thought anyone with sense wouldn't misunderstand. Since Riley can't figure it out, I'll explain. I met Hendrix three years ago in Sylvania. He asked me out, and I refused. When we met again back home, he ditched his girlfriend and made advances, which I refused again."
Riley sneered, "Who are you trying to fool? You?"
Ashley replied, "Yes, me."
Riley was momentarily speechless, then Ashley continued, "As for Lynn, I talked to her long ago. I'm not interested in Hendrix. If she wants to marry him, she should work hard. I offered to be her ally, but she treated me like a threat. Today's rumors are probably partly her doing. No wonder she's good at divorce cases; she's imaginative."
Lynn, feeling guilty, didn't dare confront Ashley directly. Riley standing up for her made things tense again.
Ashley, speaking clearly and confidently, delivered another blow to Lynn.
But only they knew about that conversation.
Lynn, on the verge of tears, stood up and sobbed, "Ashley, how can you twist the truth? You said I was unworthy of Hendrix and should give up. I felt so inferior. But I just want to love him purely. Is that wrong?"
There were murmurs among the crowd.
Hendrix's face was fierce.
He didn't join the conversation, but he didn't believe Ashley would say that.
If Ashley had special effects, you could see lightning shooting from her eyes, striking Lynn to pieces.
Suppressing the urge to strangle her, Ashley calmly said, "Well..."
Just when everyone thought Ashley was scheming, she sighed, "Lynn, I always carry a voice recorder for important conversations. Every word we've said is on here. Want me to remind you?"
She pulled out the recorder. "I'll give you five seconds to confess and apologize, or I'll play it for everyone."
Lynn's fingers tightened as she panicked. Did Ashley really record it?
Compared to Lynn's fear, Ashley's confidence was striking.
Juliana praised, "Ashley is the calmest woman I've ever seen. Anyone else would be pulling their hair out by now."
Hendrix smiled, "Of course, she's the woman I fancy."
He didn't think anything was inappropriate and kept watching with a smile.
Juliana stayed silent.
Riley shouted, "Lynn, don't let her scare you. You're not wrong, don't be afraid of her."
Lynn hadn't told Riley the truth, putting herself in a tough spot.
Ashley started counting down. "Five, four..."
The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was on edge.
Ashley smiled, "Lynn, then I..."
"Sorry." Lynn's eyes were fixed on Ashley's hand, speaking up before she pressed play.
Ashley wasn't going to be merciful. "Sorry for what?"
Lynn was about to grind her teeth to pieces. She had meticulously calculated that Ashley was dating two men at the same time, planning to bring her down when the opportunity arose, but it backfired.
Lynn murmured, "I was in a bad mood and forgot what we talked about. You did encourage me that day, saying you had no interest in Hendrix. I remembered wrong." Her voice was low, but Ashley and Hendrix heard it.
Everyone felt fooled.
Ashley said, "Done? I remember more than one thing."
Seeing Lynn admit her mistake, Riley angrily said, "Why apologize if you did nothing wrong? Ashley, you behave improperly and don't even allow others to criticize?"
Lynn sternly rebuked, "You stop talking."
Riley's face turned cold, awkwardly standing there.
Ashley said, "Lynn, go on."
Lynn pressed her lips tightly, her face turning purple with shame and anger, her fists clenched. She thought Hendrix would save her, but he didn't move.
Lynn continued, "The rumors about you and Hendrix were spread by me. I felt uncomfortable seeing him being attentive to you."
Ashley said, "Oh? That's it?"
Who was she trying to fool with such a weak explanation?
Hendrix was about to explain, but he held back, seeing Lynn's tearful face.
Lynn looked up at Ashley, tears in her eyes, "Yes, Hendrix broke up with me after meeting you. I begged him not to make it public, or I wouldn't be able to stay in the firm. He agreed. While you were abroad, I treated him better, hoping he'd fall for me again. But once you returned, everything changed."
So they had broken up long ago? Lynn was really acting?
Lynn wiped her tears, the tear film blurring the hatred in her eyes. "But I did nothing wrong! I just wanted to protect the person I love, not let other women hurt him! Ashley, you have a lover, why did you still accept his advances? You're shameless."
Damn it, this bitch!
Jealous and blaming others for their success?
No wonder she was a divorce lawyer, twisting concepts and shifting blame. What a move.
Ashley was speechless. "Lynn, don't keep talking about love; it makes it sound cheap. Why are you clinging to Hendrix? Is it really for love?"
Lynn, sobbing, said, "What do you mean! You have no right to question my love."
Ashley said, "Lynn, you seem to confuse leveraging for advancement with true love. Besides, my stance towards Hendrix has always been clear: respect, admiration, and maintaining the proper distance between superior and subordinate. If you slander me again, I'll sue you. It's very convenient!"
