Chapter 228 Falling Down
Ashley's first thought: Damian's identity can't be revealed. If people knew he was the president of the KM Group and a Hearst, it'd be chaos.
She acted before speaking, stepping in front of Damian and saying calmly, "I'm his lawyer. Any questions, ask me."
Damian glanced at Ashley, who looked a bit messy but stunning. They hadn't planned this; her quick reaction was instinctive.
Of course, Damian saw her concern for him.
In the morning mist, she seemed like the rising sun, slowly lighting up the dark world.
The small-town cops weren't used to serious cases or dealing with lawyers, so they didn't question her much.
Ashley took control, keeping Damian out of the conversation.
Patrick was the only one left confused.
Didn't she say he was her boss yesterday? They acted like a bickering couple. Now she's his lawyer?
After giving her statement, Ashley saw Damian on the phone. She waited until he finished and said, "Someone's picking you up soon, right? My car's at the village entrance; I'll go get it."
Damian gave a few instructions over the phone: tow his broken car and no need to pick him up. "Ashley, I shouldn't meet my subordinates looking like this."
The cellar was dim, and after coming out, she noticed the dust on Damian's black dress pants. His custom Scabal suit, once fine, was now dusty.
Despite that, Damian looked clean, showing no signs of a night in a cellar or a fight.
Ashley thought he looked fine, but she knew proud Mr. Hearst wouldn't want to appear flawed.
Ashley shrugged. "So, what do you want to do?"
Damian said, "My car's broken. Can you give me a ride?"
Could she refuse?
In this remote area, after going through so much together, and with Damian helping her, it would be unkind to say no.
Ashley said, "If you don't mind my car being low-end."
Damian said, "I care about people, not things."
Ashley chuckled dryly.
After saying goodbye to the elderly folks, they walked down the mountain together.
The morning light brightened the sky, and the mountain air was fresh. Wildflowers and grasses gave off a faint scent, tall trees reached for the sky, and birds flitted through the greenery, creating a lively scene.
Taking a deep breath, Ashley felt refreshed.
Finally, a breakthrough proving her innocence was near.
She said, "Thanks for helping me."
Damian asked, "Which part?"
"All of it."
Damian looked at her. "How will you thank me?"
Why was he so serious?
She didn't ask him to come; they just met and went through a lot. She was being polite, and now he wanted a return gift?
Ashley said, "I can drive you home."
Damian said, "Isn't that too casual for someone who saved your life?"
Walking down the mountain path required caution. Ashley took small steps, multitasking. "I'm just an ordinary person; my life isn't as precious as Mr. Hearst's. I think this is enough."
Damian frowned, keeping an eye on her to prevent a fall. "Don't sell yourself short."
"Ah!"
The stone was wet and slippery. Despite her caution, Ashley slipped. Just when she thought she'd roll down the mountain, a hand grabbed her arm, pulling her into a solid embrace.
Damian held her tightly, feeling her heartbeat through their clothes, likely racing from fear. "I've saved you so many times; your life is valuable too, Ashley. Have you read 'The Little Prince'?"
Ashley recalled the classic line easily. "This rose is unique because you've spent time and effort on it, making it special."
Ashley asked, "Mr. Hearst, can you let go before talking?"
He was holding her so tightly she could barely breathe, and his hand on her chest was far from innocent.
Damian adjusted his hold. "Let go and let you fall? Walk properly, and I'll see this good deed through to the end."
He naturally supported her shoulder, keeping her close.
Ashley blew her bangs in frustration. Being so close, the thin clothes couldn't block the heat transfer. After a few steps, she felt hot all over and couldn't stand it anymore. "I can walk by myself. Mr. Hearst, please, ah!"
Bad luck struck again. Before she could finish, she stepped on another stone, tilting sharply. Driven by survival instinct, she grabbed Damian's clothes and clung tightly to him.
If it weren't for Damian holding her, she would have fallen and hit her head hard.
Still shaken, Ashley's face turned pale.
So frustrating!
Damian looked at her hand, her slender fingers gripping tightly. "Ashley, if you want something, just say it. No need for pretense between us."
Ashley awkwardly let go, clearing her throat. "Mr. Hearst, please watch your words. Stop saying things that can be misunderstood! What do you mean by this morning and just now? Is there nothing else in your mind besides that?"
Damian remained calm. "Which part made you uncomfortable? What did you misunderstand? Explain clearly, and maybe I can change."
Ashley gritted her teeth, rolling her eyes but unable to explain. "In any case, it made me uncomfortable."
Finding the car, Ashley was about to sit in the driver's seat but was pulled to the other side by Damian and pushed into the passenger seat. "Sit tight, I'll drive."
Ashley didn't argue, buckled her seatbelt, and remained silent.
In Damian's capable hands, the ordinary car glided swiftly and smoothly, maximizing its performance. Despite the occasional bump from hitting a stone, the ride quickly resumed its smoothness.
Damian had no interest in the scenery, his peripheral vision catching Ashley's lowered head as she replied to messages. "Are you still mad?"
Ashley was reassuring Harold and asking for half a day off, not looking up. "How dare I?"
"Sorry."
Ashley paused her typing.
Did she hear that right? Damian apologizing to her?
Damian didn't explain further. Just then, his phone rang. With both hands on the wheel and the phone in his pocket, he freed one hand to reach for it.
Ashley said, "You dare drive one-handed on a mountain road? Let me get it."
Emotions aside, safety always came first.
The silent treatment between them wasn't over, but Damian knew when to stop, politely saying, "Alright."
Ashley turned, reaching into his pants pocket. Her fingers accidentally brushed his leg, recoiling as if shocked. The thin lining made it easy to feel his firm muscles. Grabbing the vibrating phone, she swallowed.
She got up. "Here..."
Before she could finish, the car jolted, and Ashley fell onto Damian's lap.
