Chapter 238 Staying Overnight
Ashley thought, 'Why? Because he's Damian, someone you can't mess with. You have no choice but to believe.'
Damian's response was blunt. "Believe it or not."
It worked. After a moment, Alexander talked more with Damian about cleaning up his mess and future plans.
The deal was sealed without Damian lifting a finger.
Alexander raised a toast. "Since we're partners, can you at least tell us your name?"
Damian didn't touch his glass. "You'll know next time."
Thomas cut in, "Mr. Smith, we'll be waiting for your good news in three days."
Robert and Benjamin exchanged looks. Alexander, known for his cautious nature. How could he even consider partnering with someone whose name they didn't even know? Was this a sign of Alexander getting too comfortable and now craving risks?
As they left, Damian said to Ashley, "Ash, let me buy you a drink."
Amy nudged Ashley. "Ash, come on."
Ashley forced a smile. "Sure."
Thomas sighed as he left last.
In the elevator, just the two of them, Ashley checked her makeup, wishing she could disappear. She regretted her makeup choice.
Damian laughed. "Feeling ashamed?"
Ashley straightened up and changed the subject. "Did Trinity come to see you? Are you happy with how I handled it?"
Damian asked, "What did you do to her?"
Trinity's stubbornness matched Ashley's. Her sudden change, suggesting not to marry into the Hearst family, surprised Damian.
Ashley remained tight-lipped, simply stating, "The goal was achieved. How doesn't matter."
Damian frowned at her outfit. "You can't handle Alexander. I don't care how you got into Clearwater Bay Club; you're not coming again."
Ashley said, "How can I find evidence if I don't come? Reenacting his crimes doesn't prove Mark was murdered by him or clear my name."
Damian asked softly, "You don't trust me?"
Ashley couldn't answer.
If Damian couldn't do it, no one could.
The elevator door opened, and Damian grabbed her hand, pulling her close. Before she could resist, he whispered, "You're staff here. How else will you leave?"
Ashley knew his reasons were weak but couldn't break free. She gritted her teeth. "Don't push it."
"This is pushing it? Is this your first day knowing me?"
The manager glanced at them, nodding knowingly as they left.
Ashley swallowed her words.
Before leaving, Thomas spoke to the manager. The manager stared at the woman getting into the car, his face pale, knees almost giving out.
Without hesitation, the manager made a phone call, scolding, "Are you out of your mind? Who gave you the privilege? Be polite to Ash from now on. If anyone wrongs her, I'll have your heads!"
Not only would they be in danger, but his life was also at risk.
In the car, Ashley noticed they were heading away from her home and asked nervously, "Where are we going?"
"Imperial Residence," Damian replied.
"I'm not going!"
Damian locked the doors and kept driving at 50 mph. "Do you think you have a choice?"
Ashley grabbed some tissues and wiped off her heavy makeup, leaving black smears. "Mr. Hearst, we've made it clear. I won't..."
Damian cut her off, "You made a scene today. Do you think Alexander will let you go easily? His people are following us right now. If they find out where you live, tomorrow's news won't be about a corrupt lawyer forcing someone to kill, but a nightclub girl dying a tragic death."
Ashley had wiped off half her eye makeup and stared at his emotionless profile. "Are you trying to scare me?"
"See for yourself," Damian snorted.
Ashley turned and saw a black business car tailing them. It sped up when they did and slowed down when they did. It was definitely following them.
She pursed her lips. "Alexander will find out your identity too."
"He'd better. It would save me the trouble of probing," Damian replied.
"You're not afraid of exposing your identity?"
"Is my identity something to be ashamed of?"
Ashley rolled her eyes. "You said it yourself."
Last time, she was proud of refusing to go home with Damian, but now she was in the same situation again.
Frustrated, Ashley grabbed her hair. "Let's be clear; I'm just staying over."
Damian looked at her ghastly face. "I suggest you clean yourself up first. No way I'm sleeping with a ghost."
In the bathroom, Ashley realized how terrifying her half-removed makeup looked.
It was impressive Damian managed to drive without crashing, showing his strong mental fortitude.
The bathroom had a full set of toiletries. Ashley came out in a bathrobe, seeing Damian on the balcony making a call.
Damian had one hand in his pocket, his tall and straight back looking imposing. "Keep an eye on them, 24/7. Use force if necessary, don't let anyone slip through. Wait, who are you talking about?"
Upon receiving the response, he let out a chilling laugh. "Alright."
Damian hung up and turned to see Ashley with half-dried hair, wrapped in a bathrobe, revealing her slender, fair legs. Her fresh, makeup-free face looked like a blooming flower.
His throat tightened, and a primal heat stirred in his lower abdomen.
"There's something you might be interested in," Damian uttered.
Ashley paused her hair-drying and looked at him with doe-like eyes. "What is it?"
Damian cleared his throat. "Your colleague is with Robert."
Ashley's eyes widened. "Lynn?"
Damian nodded. "If she's your partner, then yes."
Upon hearing the news, Ashley had only one thought: Lynn was trying to get evidence of Robert's infidelity. Even if she didn't have any, she would create it herself. "Is she crazy?" Ashley shouted.
Damian said, "You two are handling Robert's divorce case together. It seems Lynn is willing to take risks and sacrifice herself for her client."
Ashley dropped her towel and ran to find her phone. She had to stop Lynn's crazy actions.
Damian quickly caught up, snatched her phone, and tossed it onto the couch. Then he raised his hand, pinning Ashley between his chest and the shelf. "It's too late."
