Chapter 256 Ashley Fell Ill in the Elevator
Ashley was like, "Yeah, Damian and I can play nice sometimes, but mostly, it's a total drag. We both hold grudges and love taking jabs at each other."
'Maybe it's better this way,' she thought. 'Keeps me from getting all mushy and forgetting why I'm here.'
As the VIP elevator went down, Damian noticed her tense face and said, "There are a ton of reporters downstairs. If you go out looking like that, you're definitely getting snapped."
Ashley shot back, "I'm not some big celeb or rich person. Why would they care about me?"
The reporters were all about Christian and Trinity anyway. Why would they bother with her?
Damian smirked, "You were the star tonight, grabbing everyone's attention. You even had the guts to chat up the president of Silvervale City Development Bank. Trying to rebuild your network, huh? You must've figured there wouldn't be any journalists tonight and didn't worry about your privacy. But if they catch you and it blows up online, what’s your plan?"
Ashley hated feeling exposed and shrugged it off, "Dodging it won't help. I came back ready for this."
"Ready for what? A dramatic exit?"
Ashley clenched her teeth, "No."
Damian almost laughed, "If you don't want to die, you gotta learn to deal. You were supposed to test the waters, but you turned the banquet into your own show. Don't you get that the flashier you are, the bigger the target on your back?"
Ashley said, "You have your plans, I have mine. I did what you asked. Mr. Hearst, what I do next is my call."
Damian almost called her "stubborn" but held back.
He wondered if Jessica had missed something in their therapy sessions because, weirdly, he found arguing with Ashley kinda fun, which he used to hate.
The elevator doors opened to the underground parking lot.
Before they could step out, they heard a ruckus.
"She's out! She's out!!"
A mob of reporters, disguised as delivery drivers, repairmen, residents, and businesspeople, were all waiting for Christian in the garage.
Seeing the elevator come down, they rushed forward like maniacs.
It looked like a zombie movie, but with cameras and mics. Their faces were way more animated than zombies, like they hit the jackpot.
Ashley spun around, freaked out, cowering in the corner of the elevator, her legs turning to jelly.
Damian acted fast, closing the half-open elevator door, and it started going up again.
Seeing Ashley trembling, he gently touched her shoulder, "What's wrong?"
"Don't touch me!"
The moment Ashley saw the cameras, she flashed back to when Astor Group went bankrupt, and her home was swarmed by reporters.
Self-righteous reporters had stormed into the villa's yard, yelling at them with loudspeakers. Their faces pressed against the windows, watching their every move.
Every curtain in the house was shut tight, blocking out the world.
Debt collectors and reporters threw rotten fruit and veggies at the glass and doors, then bricks and stones. The noise went on forever.
The cops would shoo them away, but they'd be back in no time. Sometimes, they'd start yelling in the dead of night, spewing the nastiest curses.
Some even blasted funeral music and horror movie soundtracks around the villa.
This went on for almost a month, and it messed Ashley up big time. She ended up with a bunch of mental health issues from the whole nightmare.
Whenever she faced something similar, it felt like she was drowning, gasping for air.
Damian frowned, wanting to ask more, but he was speechless when he saw Ashley crumple like a soaked rag doll, trembling like she was about to break.
Realizing how bad it was, Damian pulled her into a hug, "It's okay; don't be scared."
Ashley was ice-cold, her voice dry and raspy. "Stay away from me; stay away."
Damian whispered, "No one's here but us. It's safe."
Ashley couldn't hear him, her mind filled with shouts and insults.
"Give me my money! Come out!"
"Debtors who don't pay deserve to die!"
"Die and go to hell."
Damian held her tight as she shook uncontrollably, her pale face drenched in cold sweat, hair sticking to her forehead like she'd just been soaked.
Finally, the elevator got back to the top floor.
Damian carried her to the room.
Once inside, Ashley slipped out of his arms like a scared rabbit, retreating to the corner behind the sofa, curling up on the carpet, shaking like a leaf, her teeth chattering.
Seeing her like this, Damian figured it had to do with the sudden swarm of reporters.
Maybe it was a psychological thing?
He didn't want to scare her more, so he just waited quietly.
A few minutes later, Ashley started to calm down. Damian walked over quietly, kneeling on one knee. "Ashley?"
She looked up slowly, recognizing his face. "I'm okay."
It took her a lot of effort to get the words out.
Damian tried to wipe the sweat from her forehead, and she didn't push him away. "Want some water?"
Ashley cursed herself inside. How could she show her weakest side to Damian?
After all that therapy, she thought she was fine. Wasn't she okay? Why was this happening?
"Yeah."
Damian held the cup to her mouth, and Ashley took it with both hands and drank.
After she calmed down, Damian asked, "Feeling better? You okay?"
Ashley shook her head. "Sorry."
Her apology hit Damian hard.
If she were his wife, she wouldn't say sorry. She'd find comfort in his arms, vent her frustrations, and cry on his shoulder.
But with that words, a clear line was drawn, pushing him further away.
Damian frowned but kept his emotions in check. "It's okay."
Ashley struggled to stand up. "We should leave separately. I'll take the regular elevator."
Damian grabbed her arm, wanting to say something but the words wouldn't come. Finally, he took the empty cup from her hand. "Give me that."
"Thanks," Ashley said politely.
Damian forced a bitter smile, staying silent.
The air grew thick with unspoken feelings, a heavy silence hanging over them.
Finally, Damian broke the silence. "Wait a bit before leaving. I'll have someone send up a change of clothes. Dressed like this, you'll be easily recognized by reporters."
Ashley nodded. "Thanks."
Another thank you. Damian felt like he was losing it hearing that.
