Chapter 241 Sudden Hospitalization
Damian stood alone in the smoking area, lighting a cigarette and leaning against the railing, taking deep drags.
"Mrs. Hearst even asked me how to make fried fish. She rarely cooks, so it must've been tough for her. She even burned her fingers and didn't complain," recalled Joyce.
The fried fish brought back distant memories. Without Joyce's prompting, Damian might never have remembered.
After a long flight from Evercrest City to Rochester, it was past one in the morning. He noticed Ashley asleep on the sofa, the living room dimly lit by a floor lamp.
There was a plate of fried fish on the dining table.
The next day, he noticed the plate again and frowned. "Why didn't you throw it away?"
Ashley seemed anxious. "I made it. Do you want to try it?"
He said, "You want me to eat something that's been left out overnight?"
Then he tossed the plate and food into the trash.
What was Ashley's expression then? Disappointment? Sadness? He couldn't remember.
She had burned her fingers making the fried fish to surprise him after his trip.
Frustrated, Damian took a deep drag, the smoke hitting his lungs and making him cough.
Nathan hurried over. "Damian, there you are. Grandpa is awake and wants to see you."
Damian stubbed out his cigarette. "Okay."
Anthony, lying in bed, didn't look well. The illness had taken its toll. "Everyone out except Damian."
Before leaving, Bryan patted Damian's shoulder. "Watch what you say. If you upset Grandpa again, I'll break your legs."
Victor noticed but said nothing.
In the VIP hospital room, the scent of disinfectant mixed with a hint of flowers. Sunlight poured in, keeping the summer heat outside.
Damian sat by the bed. "Grandpa, how are you feeling?."
Anthony slapped the bed's edge. "Do you still see me as your grandfather?"
To avoid upsetting Anthony, Damian swallowed his retort. "Please don't be angry."
Anthony looked at him coldly, disappointment in his eyes. "Are you determined to ruin your future? Why are you still involved with Ashley?"
Damian's suspicions about Anthony's condition being connected to Ashley seemed to be on point.
"Yesterday was an accident," Damian explained.
"An accident? Do you think I'm old and clueless? Ever since you had her represent KM Group in court, you've been secretly communicating with her under the pretext of work," Anthony retorted.
Damian frowned. "Grandpa, you're a respected person. You shouldn't say things like this."
"Don't lecture me!" Anthony snapped. "Did you or Ashley mess things up with Trinity suddenly changing their mind?"
"It has nothing to do with her," Damian said.
Anthony's face turned red with anger. "So, it's you. What's your game? Drive Trinity away and get back with Ashley? Forget it."
Seeing Anthony's poor condition, Damian quickly tried to calm him. "Ashley and I are just business partners, not involved romantically. You don't need to be angry."
Anthony glared. "Can I believe you?"
Damian said helplessly, "Even if I wanted to get back with her, she wouldn't give me the chance. Although Astor Group went bankrupt, you know Ashley's temper. Once she decides something, no one can change it. I hurt her too deeply back then; she hates me."
Anthony had a big misunderstanding about Ashley. Now, it was Damian who was shamelessly trying to reconcile with her, but she kept rejecting him.
With a knowing glance, Anthony remarked, "Are you seriously falling for a woman's petty games? If you don't want to drive me crazy, find a way to send her overseas and make sure she never returns!"
After the morning meeting, Ashley called Lynn into her office.
Leaving some wiggle room, Ashley didn't outright expose Lynn. "Lynn, any updates on Robert?"
Lynn had finally found out which club Robert went to last night. She disguised herself as a drunk, sexy woman and waited outside, then took the opportunity to throw herself into his arms. Just as she was about to succeed, Robert got a call and left in a hurry.
Fretting about how to approach him next time, Lynn replied, "No."
Ashley sneered, "Is it 'no,' or you didn't succeed?"
Lynn was taken aback, then narrowed her eyes and fixed her gaze on Ashley. "What do you mean?"
Ashley didn't bother with any more preamble. "Robert was at Clearwater Bay Club yesterday. Do I need to continue?"
Lynn's face turned pale, then she smiled. "So you are also investigating him. I didn't expect us to think alike."
Ashley chuckled, not inclined to elaborate. "Robert's tangled up in some shady business. It poses a risk to your life. Understand?"
Lynn found it laughable. They were both regular lawyers; neither was the other's boss. Why did Ashley get to sit behind the desk and lecture her?
Wasn't it just because she was afraid Lynn would get the evidence first and take the initiative?
Lynn shrugged. "Ashley, Director Brin said this case is a collaboration, but there are divisions of labor, right? Whoever has more effective evidence will represent in court."
Ashley said, "That's right."
"Then let's wait and see. I won't interfere with you, and you don't command me."
Ashley rubbed her temples. "Lynn, I'm reminding you again. The people Robert associates with are ruthless and capable of anything. Don't end up getting yourself into trouble."
Lynn turned up her nose. "Thanks for the reminder, Ashley. If there's nothing else, I'll get back to work. After all, I don't have your good luck."
She glanced at the roses on the desk, sarcasm evident in her eyes.
Ashley thought, 'Forget it, everyone has their fate. If she wants to court death, I will not stop her.'
Afterward, Ashley called Paula, "Hey, you got time? Let's catch up."
Half an hour later, they were sitting in a booth at a coffee shop.
Paula carefully observed Ashley, dressed in a black suit. The familiar pretty face and the unfamiliar professional attire combined to create an inscrutable image.
How had she not noticed in Eirondia that Ashley was different now?
Paula asked, "I did what you asked. When can my dad get out?"
Ashley said, "At most three days."
Damian had promised her that if she completed the task, he would keep his word.
Paula nodded. "I believe you. As long as my dad gets out safely, I'll go back to Dreamvale."
Ashley took a sip of her hot Americano. Maybe she was tired of the creamy and sweet flavors; now she only liked Americanos and espressos. "Do you want to stay in Rochester City?"
Paula asked in disbelief, "Do you have a way for me to stay?"
"Yes, but it's up to you."
Now, Ashley was fighting alone in Rochester City. Amelia was an actress, making it inconvenient for her to get involved in many things. Harold was a man, and his family was eager to set them up, so she had to keep a distance from him in the future. She needed someone she could trust.
Paula's curiosity was piqued. "What way?"
Ashley said, "Do you know Christian?"
