Chapter 252 Saving the Beauty
"What are you saying? Am I making waves or just yelling from the rooftops? Criticizing me for no reason, how dull!"
Christian didn't bother matching Ashley's flair and shot back, "Don't wanna be in the spotlight? Ripping your dress in public isn't for attention? Hanging with Steven and Lars, what's your game? Trying to win folks over?"
Ashley shrugged off his arm. "Yeah, the organizers set this up for networking and project talks. Everyone's using their own skills. If you're not cool with it, go make your own connections. No need to throw shade at me."
Christian sneered, dropping any pretense of friendliness. "You really think those people wanna help you revive the Astor Group? They just wanna sleep with you!"
Ashley replied, "In business, people chase three things: fame, profit, and beauty. When I can't offer the first two, I use my looks. Beauty's a tool, and I don't see any shame in that."
Damn!
Christian regretted not recording her words to play them back to Damian on repeat to wake him up.
"Despicable!"
Ashley snorted, "Compared to you, I'm nothing. You are the most desoicable people in the world!"
Christian mocked, "You can't even handle Trinity, and you wanna challenge me?"
Ashley said, "She's not my match, and neither are you, actually."
"What are you getting at?"
Ashley, eager to restore the Astor Group, was willing to compromise on other matters. "Universal Group's signed artists face dozens to hundreds of lawsuits every year. You don't lack lawyers, but the high legal fees are a pain. My expertise and resources can give you high-quality and reasonable services. Instead of mutual destruction, why not shake hands for a win-win?"
To seek a stable development environment, Ashley didn't mind tolerating him.
Christian laughed until tears almost came out, "Wishful thinking! Let me tell you, Ashley, even if you run yourself ragged, those people won't help you. As long as I'm here, you can forget about succeeding."
Trinity's hand rested on Christian's shoulder, snapped, "Don't think a little scheming will lead to success. Dream on."
Ashley saw through her intentions. "Looks like you two have teamed up?"
Trinity had a frustrating night, worried about how to deal with her. When Christian finally took action, she eagerly followed suit. "I admire Mr. Young. For heartless women like you, ruthless is necessary. You better not try any of your tricks, or cry under the covers at home. Don't come out and embarrass yourself."
Ashley smiled. "Alright then."
If the soft approach didn't work, so be it.
Ashley suddenly took the initiative, linking arms with Christian and moving closer. "Mr. Young, let's nail this opening dance!"
As soon as she finished speaking, a lively piano tune started playing, and the terrace transformed into a vibrant dance floor under the effect lights.
Thanks to Ashley's words, they were at the center of attention, their white dress and black suit blending together, capturing numerous gazes.
The diamond sparkled like a shooting star, casting dazzling beams of light with each turn.
Christian finally understood the significance of the "Rosy Dawn Necklace."Its splendid radiance was indeed like the glow of dawn, no wonder Damian had taken a liking to it and bid high for it.
The onlookers were also amazed by Ashley's dance moves and exquisite attire, inadvertently elevating the aesthetic standards of Silvervale City's upper echelon.
After years away, she returned in a blaze of glory.
Ashley, once at the forefront of countless beauties, still seemed to be the Ashley who captivated Silvervale City.
"Ashley's killing it! Even Mr. Young's got the hots for her."
"Hold up. Trinity said Mr. Young's her date. And from what I know, Trinity and Ashley are like oil and water."
"Then why's her date dancing the opening dance with Ashley?"
"Mr. Young's a playboy who goes for looks. Ashley's way hotter than Trinity, and he's not blind."
Trinity was so mad she could grind her teeth to dust, deeply regretting. "Mr. Young's just messing around! A woman like her, anyone who touches her gets dirty."
Jessica, standing quietly in a corner, watched the dazzling dance floor thoughtfully.
This was her third time seeing Ashley.
Once in Damian's office, where she was negotiating work as a lawyer.
The second time was at the entrance of Cloud ManHearston restaurant, where she was with Damian.
She hadn't thought much of it before, but tonight's clues kept reminding her that Ashley's identity might not be so simple.
"Jessica?"
Snapped out of her thoughts, Jessica responded, "Mr. Nathan Hearst? Do you need something?"
Nathan raised his glass. "Are you still Damian's psychologist?"
Jessica, on guard, asked, "Why the sudden question?"
Nathan wanted to indirectly inquire about Damian's mental state from Jessica, to gradually erode his influence and make the shareholders not trust him. "I found some treatment plans abroad that could help Damian, so I wanted to discuss them with you."
Jessica politely smiled. "Tonight doesn't seem appropriate. How about we schedule a meeting at the clinic another day?"
The nearby chatter reached Trinity and naturally caught Ashley's attention. She gripped Christian's arm, refusing to release him, and asked with a smile, "Mr. Young, how does it feel to be manipulated?"
Christian's jawline tightened, grinding his teeth. "Aren't you afraid tomorrow's headlines will say we're a couple?"
Ashley confidently replied, "Who dares?"
Indeed, who would dare? If they did, Damian would crush their headquarters.
Christian gritted his teeth, feeling humiliated. "Did you drug Mr. Hearst?"
"If beauty counts as a drug, I did," she replied.
Damn!
Before Christian could curse, Ashley said, "Your dad's here."
Christian looked around for his father's figure, only to realize he'd been tricked. Finally, his teeth grinding, "Ashley?! Are you looking for trouble?"
Ashley smiled. "Are you scared?"
Christian's gaze was fierce enough to flay her. "I warn you; don't alarm him."
Ashley lightly replied, "I warn you too; don't cross my line."
The music hadn't stopped, but Christian couldn't wait to throw Ashley off and storm out of the dance floor with a darkened face.
Ashley, having achieved her goal, smiled as she watched him leave.
After tonight, at least half of the wealthy businessmen in Silvervale City knew that she still had connections with Victor, Christian, Lars, and others. This meant that it would be more convenient for her to discuss collaborations in the future.
Networking wasn't about how many people you knew, but how many people remembered you.
In a great mood, Ashley walked briskly to the buffet area.
"Watch out!"
She had only taken a few steps when she heard a sudden exclamation.
The tall champagne tower collapsed in an instant, and the crystal glasses, along with the filled champagne, came crashing down on her.
As Ashley belatedly sensed the peril, evading became an impossibility. Her eyes mirrored a cascade of glass fragments hurtling towards her, akin to a scene from a movie.
The sharp glass shards were bound to slice into her skin.
In that critical moment, her mind went blank.
In that instant, a figure flew to her side, grabbed her, and they both rolled several feet away.
