Chapter 253 Extra Benefits
With a loud crash, the champagne tower came tumbling down, glass shards flying everywhere. The room erupted into chaos—women screaming, men shouting, and everyone else just losing it.
It all went down in a split second, so fast it was like a blur.
Ashley, still in shock, stared at Sean, her mouth open but no words coming out. He had her wrapped up tight, shielding her with his own body.
Sean took the brunt of it, making sure Ashley didn't get hurt. He hit the floor hard, letting out a muffled groan. "You okay? Did you get hurt?"
Ashley shook her head, nervously checking his arm. She remembered his right arm hitting something when they fell. "What about you? Are you hurt?"
Sean grinned, trying to play it cool. "I've trained in self-defense; I'm pretty tough."
But no matter how tough Sean was, he was still human. That kind of impact had to leave a mark.
Ashley pushed herself up, noticing a scrape on her calf, blood trickling out. She glanced at it, not too worried. "When did you get here?"
Sean replied, "I got here when you were dancing."
Sean hadn't planned on showing up tonight but couldn't resist his family's nagging to make an appearance and network a bit.
He showed up halfway through the banquet, planning to stay just a few minutes. But then he saw Ashley dancing and couldn't take his eyes off her.
He watched her the whole time, which is why he was able to save her just in time.
Ashley brushed her bangs aside. "Well..."
Sean noticed, "You're hurt."
Ashley tried to hide her injured leg. "Just a scratch, no big deal."
A delicate and beautiful woman like her should be treated like a precious gem. Even a tiny cut on her finger should be taken seriously. Sean urged, "You can't take chances. An open wound can get infected quickly. Let me check it out."
Thomas pushed through the crowd, grabbing her arm before Sean could, pulling her back. "Ashley."
The scene just now was too dangerous. He was too far away to reach her in time and was anxious when he saw a man leap over.
For a moment, he thought Damian had arrived.
Was there anyone else in Silvervale City with such quick reflexes?
Sean withdrew his hand, enduring the pain in his back, and said calmly, "She's hurt and needs her wound cleaned, or it could easily get infected."
Thomas raised his voice deliberately. "As the host of the banquet, I have a responsibility to provide the best medical care for my guests. Mr. Ross, you don't need to worry."
His words were flawless, leaving Sean no room to argue.
Jack hurried over, apologizing sincerely, "I'm so sorry, Mr. Ross. Are you hurt? Please come with me, the doctor will be here soon."
Sean's special status made Victor instruct Jack to seize the opportunity to win him over. If they could get his help, it would be much easier to build connections in the future.
There were many people here, and Damian's men were likely among them. If he knew Sean and Jack interacting too much, it could lead to misunderstandings.
Ashley didn't want Sean to become enemies with Damian, so she nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Ross. You seem to be hurt too. Let the doctor check you out."
Before Sean could get a word in, Thomas had already whisked Ashley away.
Sean watched as her slender figure slowly vanished from sight.
The crowd was buzzing.
What was up with Ashley? She'd been the center of attention all night.
Victor, Christian, and now Sean. The most dazzling guys in the room were all orbiting around her.
Trinity sneered, "Damn, that chick's got her act down. I can't compete with that."
Among the socialites, many admired these three men. Once jealousy was ignited, it was unstoppable. They all gritted their teeth and cursed.
Trinity further incited, "Ladies, keep an eye on your men. They might be seduced by her at any moment."
Meanwhile, Jessica, having watched Thomas protect Ashley, grew even more curious. She casually asked, "Thomas seems to have a special interest in Ashley."
Nathan, not daring to reveal Ashley and Damian's relationship, smiled meaningfully, "She's not an ordinary person. Be careful, Jessica."
Jessica smiled. "Is that so?"
Ashley followed Thomas through the rooftop garden, around the porch, and toward the presidential suite.
Thomas said, "Mr. Hearst is in the room."
Ashley gave him a knowing smile.
Thomas swiped the card to open the door and respectfully nodded to the man sitting on the sofa. "Mr. Hearst, Ashley is here."
In front of Damian loomed a massive wall-mounted HDTV, broadcasting the banquet live. Every guest's action was caught on camera.
Ashley's heart tightened. So Damian had been watching every scene of the night's drama.
Ashley thought, 'Those folks really go all out with their performance, huh?'
But if Damian had high-tech surveillance, why go through the trouble of making her show up?
Damian's icy stare landed on Ashley, lingering on her slim legs. "What's with the sour face? Heartbroken over Sean?"
Ashley replied, "I'm heartbroken for myself. Mr. Hearst, didn't you see my injury?"
"I saw it. It's not fatal."
Knowing she wouldn't hear any kind words from Damian, Ashley didn't mind. "You must have seen everything that happened tonight. Victor is indeed getting close to some shareholders. You should be cautious."
Victor played tricks under his nose; how could he not know Victor's schemes?
Damian asked, "Did Christian give you a hard time?"
They were in cahoots. Ashley thought Damian would not fall out with Christian for her. "No, it's just normal interaction."
Damian obviously didn't believe her. "I'll remind him."
Ashley smiled faintly. "Is this an extra benefit of our alliance?"
Damian frowned.
Thomas came over with a medical kit. "Mr. Hearst, should I get the doctor?"
"No need." Damian opened the medical kit, taking out the supplies for treating external injuries. "Sit down."
Ashley said, "I can do it myself. It's not the first time."
Damian pressed her down onto the sofa without a word, then crouched to examine her bloody calf, his brows furrowing tightly.
Thomas, understanding the situation, said with impeccable timing. "Mr. Hearst, I'll go take care of something."
If he found out who deliberately knocked over the champagne tower, they'd be done for.
Damian soaked a cotton ball in iodine, gently wiping the blood.
Ashley winced in pain, seeing Damian's frown deepen. She awkwardly said, "Sorry, I couldn't help it."
Damian extended his other arm, placing it in front of her mouth. "Bite down if it hurts."
