Chapter 223 A Woman's Whisper, Melting the Bones
Her sweet "Honey" made Damian melt instantly.
Even though he knew she was doing it on purpose, Damian loved it. He grinned and said, "Of course, I'll eat whatever you give me."
He couldn't remember what he ate or how it tasted; all he could think about was "honey."
He'd canceled all his meetings, drove over two hours, and walked two miles on a mountain road after his car broke down. Totally worth it.
Ashley smiled. "Then later, honey, please help fix the road."
Damian felt like he was floating. "Sure, I'll fix it."
He used to mock kings who lost their kingdoms over women, thinking they were weak. Now he got it—women's whispers were powerful.
Fixing the road was just to win Mark's mom's trust. Even if Damian wasn't there, Ashley would've done it herself.
Watching Damian move stones, Ashley felt both surprised and worried.
His expensive suit and white shirt were out of place with the muddy bricks. His artistic hands shouldn't get dirty.
If Anthony knew his precious grandson was fixing the road, he'd probably flip out.
Ashley picked up a stone. "How did you end up here?"
Damian took the stone from her. "Don't get in the way; go wait over there."
Ashley insisted, "You can't stop me from asking questions."
Damian was just as stubborn. "Put it down, or you'll never get the answer."
"Fine." Ashley dropped the stone.
Damian picked it up and placed it neatly. "I looked into Mark's records and guessed."
Ashley realized she found Mark's case from ten years ago probably because of Damian. "Did you release his criminal record?"
Otherwise, how could Lucien not know?
Damian didn't hide it. "His record was covered up. You think you can just look it up like ordering food?"
Ashley didn't get mad. She stiffened her neck. "Thanks."
Damian paused. "Your way of thanking me is making me pave the road?"
"It's a desperate measure. Plus, this road isn't good for the elderly. Isn't it nice to do a good deed? Why did you agree to fix it? You can't say no?"
Damian said, "Honey, I'm all yours."
Ashley shouted, "I'm not your honey!"
Damian shrugged. "You were just now."
Ashley didn't want to argue. She looked around the old house. "Where do you think Mark would hide something? I've looked around; the house is too simple unless he dug a hole."
Damian said, "Those people know Mark's hometown. They must've checked it out. Hiding it in plain sight is asking for trouble."
Putting down the stone, Damian squatted, looking at the mountain, then the house. There was a small fence behind the house with chickens and ducks.
Ashley asked, "You don't think he hid it in the chicken coop, do you?"
Damian's nose wrinkled. "So gross."
Ashley laughed. "As long as it disgusts you."
Her smile was more beautiful than the mountain view.
Damian used the dust on his fingers to poke her nose, leaving a black mark. "You're getting bold."
The action was natural yet intimate, making the air tense.
Ashley stood up and wiped her nose. "You keep working; I'll check over there."
Damian paused for a moment before lowering his hand, still feeling the warmth from her touch.
Ashley walked to the mountain pass, letting the cool breeze clear her mind of Damian's scent.
She told herself, 'Don't get emotional, don't get attached. Keep it together!'
When she came back, Damian had stopped working. He'd washed his hands and was sitting on a bench, enjoying the view with his hands behind his head.
She didn't know that a few minutes ago, she was part of that view.
"Find anything?" Damian asked first.
Ashley didn't bother asking about the roadwork, knowing Damian wouldn't do hard labor for long. "I found something odd."
Damian stretched out comfortably. "Go on."
Ashley made a circular shape with her hands. "There's a pit near the chicken coop, covered with hay and a wooden board. I lifted it, but it was too dark to see inside. Looks like a cellar."
Damian nodded. "A cellar."
Ashley was puzzled. "Huh?"
Damian explained, "A pit rural folks dig to store food for winter. Covering it with straw keeps the food fresh."
Ashley's eyes lit up. She'd never seen one before, and Damian actually knew about it?
Was his knowledge endless?
Damian said, "We'll check it out tonight."
Ashley hesitated. Eating wild veggies was one thing, but going into a dark cellar was a bit much.
Damian teased, "Aren't you too squeamish for a lawyer? Afraid of crime scenes and cellars?"
"Who said I'm afraid?"
Damian snorted, "Stubborn."
To explore the cellar at night, they had to stay until evening.
The best excuse was the roadwork.
As the sun set, they had only finished a tenth of the road, so they naturally stayed for another meal.
Mark's mother asked, "It's dark, and the mountain road is tough. Where will you stay?"
She wasn't being unkind; she just didn't have a bed for them.
Ashley said, "It's okay. We'll drive back later. Don't worry about us. Good night."
After spending the day together, Mark's mother saw they had kind hearts and relaxed. "A few days ago, some people claimed to be Mark's friends. They ransacked the place and smashed things when they couldn't find anything."
So that's what happened!
No wonder Mark's mother was wary at first.
Ashley quickly held her hand and gently comforted her, "If this happens again, call me!"
Mark's mother had an old cell phone that could only make calls. Ashley saved her number in it and handed it back.
The troublemakers were definitely connected to Mark's death. They had to be found.
Mark's mom, who'd lived in the countryside all her life, was kind and simple. Tears rolled down her deeply set eyes. "Miss, you are good people. Mark was lucky to know you."
Seeing Ashley's gentle kindness, Damian felt a warm fire ignite in his heart.
Nightfall covered the land, turning the mountains into deep indigo. Returning birds painted beautiful silhouettes.
The new moon had risen, and the sunset lingered in the west.
Ashley bathed in the soft silver light. She was beautiful.
Damian said, "Doesn't it remind you of something?"
Ashley looked at him. "That photo, you took it."
It was also at sunset, also on a mountain.
Ashley turned to him. The moonlight sculpted his profile, making it striking. His long eyelashes were like indigo curves, hiding a lake of wonders. "What photo?"
"Don't pretend. I don't believe you haven't seen my Facebook."
