Chapter 229 I Don't Want to Be Just a Good guy in Your Eyes
Ashley fell in a pretty awkward position, her phone hand landing in a weird spot.
Her face turned red instantly. Compared to this, Damian's antics seemed trivial.
Time dragged on. Ashley got up, but her dignity stayed on the ground.
When her hand touched that awkward spot, Damian's blood rushed to his head. All his self-control vanished, and he was as hard as a rock.
Ashley quickly escaped.
But Damian couldn't calm down.
He stayed silent, his mind blank, driving on autopilot.
Ashley blushed. "The phone."
The car felt too small for the tension inside.
Damian saw it was Thomas calling. "Put it on speaker."
Ashley did so mechanically.
Thomas asked, "Mr. Hearst, are you back?"
It was a two-hour drive back. Damian replied, "On the way."
Thomas, knowing Damian well, sensed his bad mood. After a pause, he said, "The chairman saw the news and is furious. He wants you to explain it today."
Why didn't Anthony call directly? Why go through Thomas?
"Who came?"
Thomas said, "The chairman's secretary visited the company today," then added, "Eileen was very assertive. She seemed to represent the chairman, giving you a warning. The shareholders are also critical."
The shareholders thought Damian and Trinity's marriage was a done deal, boosting KM Group's stock. But today, the stock dropped 0.3%, causing unrest.
They didn't dare challenge Damian openly. Some troublemakers exaggerated the news to Anthony, who then decided to lecture his grandson.
Damian said, "I'll handle it when I get back. Don't respond to anything yet."
Thomas continued, "Yes, Mr. Hearst. Should I visit the Emperial Avenue Group?"
Even though Damian and Trinity weren't officially a couple, Edward's actions implied it.
Damian sneered, "No need."
Thomas got it. "Mr. Hearst, are you going to the chairman's place or home when you return?"
Thomas needed to plan.
Damian said, "Go home."
His home.
Anthony was ready to scold Damian, so why wasn't he rushing to calm him down?
Thomas wanted to say something but held back, afraid of causing trouble. "Okay, Mr. Hearst. Anything else?"
Damian said, "Find a construction team to fix the road in Watercloud Village."
"What?" Thomas thought he misheard. "Watercloud Village? The one you visited yesterday?"
Damian instructed, "Yes, especially Mark's house on the mountain. Fix it up for Mark's mother, send some furniture, and set it up properly. You handle the details."
Ashley watched his serious profile while driving, her awkwardness fading, heart fluttering.
After a moment, Thomas understood. "Okay, Mr. Hearst. I'll get a team."
The call ended, and the car was quiet again.
Ashley touched her nose. "Well, thanks on their behalf."
Damian grinned. "Gonna call me a good guy next?"
She almost did. Honestly, he was being pretty decent.
Damian added, "I don't want to be just a good guy in your eyes."
As they hit the interstate, Ashley felt hungry. Damian probably hadn't eaten much either. Nearing a rest stop, she said, "Pull over up ahead."
Damian thought she needed the restroom and quickly changed lanes.
Ashley unbuckled her seatbelt. "You wait here."
Damian raised an eyebrow. "Ashley, are you going to the restroom for me?"
Ashley blushed. "Do whatever you want!"
After washing his hands, Damian saw Ashley heading to the dining area and followed.
It was his first time at a rest stop. The bustling fast-food section made him frown.
Ashley picked some light food and got a hot dog and coffee for Damian. The coffee was fresh, and the hot dog just out of the oven.
It cost fifteen bucks, the cheapest meal he'd ever had.
Damian took the bags from her without a word. "I'll carry it."
The vendor smiled. "Your husband is so thoughtful and handsome!"
Everyone was staring at him. Ashley smiled, thinking there was no need to explain to a stranger.
Damian suddenly felt coming to the rest stop was a good idea.
The dining area was crowded and stuffy. Ashley asked, "Eat outside?"
Damian agreed. Eating in there was tough.
They set the food on the car's hood. Ashley handed him a wiped disposable fork. "Mr. Hearst, make do."
Damian smirked, "Fixing a road really changed your tune. If I build a few bridges, will you be my secretary?"
He wanted to say wife but didn't want to annoy her.
Ashley said, "Are you eating or not? If not, get back in the car."
Damian smiled. The hot dog was mediocre, but he enjoyed it. "Someone will send Patrick to Rochester City tomorrow. What's your plan?"
Ashley, cheeks puffed with food, swallowed. "Follow the trail and find his boss."
Damian asked, "Not scared?"
Ashley shook her head. "Everyone has weaknesses. Patrick said his boss has a woman at a private club. Maybe that's a lead."
Damian offered, "I can help."
Ashley declined, "You've helped enough. I'll handle the rest."
Damian let it go. But he knew she might not find out who ordered her death without his help.
The rest of the drive was smooth, and they arrived at the Imperial Residence.
Damian said, "Come up with me."
Ashley felt uneasy. "No need, I'm in a hurry."
Damian insisted, "Just a few minutes, it won't delay your mission."
