Chapter 272 The Heiress Who Bewitched Thousands of Men
Plans got flipped, so the outfits had to get a makeover, too. After freshening up, Ashley slipped into her dry-cleaned clothes. "Got a few hours to kill. Time to snag a dress."
Damian's clothes looked different from when he showed up. Didn't he just grab some sportswear?
Damian was chilling on the couch, legs crossed, checking out stocks. He casually pointed to the suite. "Pick one yourself."
Ashley wasn't shocked that Damian could snag the latest seasonal dress in no time. However, what threw her off was, if he could get stuff done with a snap of his fingers, why'd he bother hitting the mall himself?
Living the commoner life, or soaking up Limehof's local vibes?
It seemed remotely likely.
Sven's wife was all about looking good. She wouldn't want to be outshined, so Ashley picked a low-key, classy white long dress with a square neckline and a shallow V at the collarbone, topped off with a delicate necklace.
After changing, Ashley used the makeup Damian had set out to go for a light, elegant, earth-toned look, fitting her low-key secretary vibe. She pinned her long hair back with a simple clip, showing off her forehead and features.
When she came out, Damian was all set, too, rocking a matte black suit. The only pop was the platinum cufflinks, matching the little bit of his white shirt cuff that peeked out, simple but classy.
Damian fastened his watch with one hand and glanced at Ashley. "Ready?"
Ashley smoothed her dress at the waist. "How do I look?"
Damian said, "Passable."
Ashley smirked. "As your secretary, I hope I won't embarrass you."
Damian grabbed a cream-colored shawl from the coat rack and tossed it to her. "It's windy at sea."
Sven's private yacht was docked at Fisherman's Wharf. When Damian's car pulled up, there were two gold Bentleys and a pink Porsche parked outside.
Ashley eyed the Bentley in front. "688 is Hendrix's ride."
Damian said, "Looks like it's not just us tonight."
"Think Sven's gathering everyone who wants this land, making them duke it out, then jacking up the price?" Ashley asked.
Damian opened the car door and stepped out. "Could be."
The golden-orange sunset cast its glow on the endless sea, making the waves look like they were sprinkled with gold. Standing on the pier felt like walking on clouds, dreamy and beautiful.
Ashley tightened the shawl against the wind, grateful for Damian's heads-up. Otherwise, she'd be freezing. "Let's just wing it."
Damian offered his arm, and she took it. They marched up the gangway side by side.
The yacht was decked out, mostly in pink, giving off a fresh, girly vibe. The red carpet was lined with fresh roses, and the air was sweet with their scent.
Was Freya really this girly?
Damian said, "Looks like Sven's daughter is here too."
"Esme Bergstrom?" Ashley asked.
From what she knew, Sven had a son and a daughter. His daughter, Esme Bergstrom, was twenty-five, a socialite who lived abroad and rarely showed up inland. His son, Leif Bergstrom, was only twelve and kept out of the public eye.
Entering the yacht's luxurious hall, Ashley smiled. "As expected of Mr. Hearst, you nailed it."
The piano music at the front of the hall wasn't from a player but from Esme, elegantly playing a grand piano. The piece was "Encounter," re-arranged by a master, adding luxurious chords, making the performance exceptionally beautiful.
In a pink strapless dress, Esme looked like a fairy among flowers, with fair skin and beauty.
Behind the piano was this massive window decked out with these cool feather floor lamps. The hazy light mixed perfectly with the sunset outside, making it look like there was a second sunset right in the hall.
Bet that setup was all Miss Bergstrom's doing.
A few moments later, a sweet violin tune floated in from the right. Hendrix, in a white tailcoat, was half-closing his eyes, totally lost in the music. The violin and piano together made a pretty sweet scene under the crystal chandelier.
Ashley grinned. "Look at them, they make quite the pair."
For once, Damian didn't argue. "One's a charming lawyer, the other's a socialite who turns heads. They do fit."
Of course, he wouldn't say anything nice about Hendrix.
Ashley felt a twinge. "But if Hendrix and Esme are tight, Sven might lean towards selling the land to the Long family. He might even throw it in as a dowry. Aren't you worried?"
Damian shrugged. "Is a rival who relies on charm worth my worry?"
Ashley was speechless. 'Your goal's about to get snatched, and you're acting all cool?'
When Sven saw Damian walk in, he raised his champagne glass and kept enjoying the music.
Ashley whispered, "I think Sven's pretty happy with Hendrix. Could he really be thinking of him as a son-in-law?"
Damian said, "That would be best."
Did he even want the land on the island?
When the piece ended, Damian clapped politely.
Ashley joined in, clapping in appreciation.
Esme took a graceful bow, treating the small hall like it was a grand stage.
A staff member took the violin from Hendrix, who then walked down a couple of steps and held out his hand. Esme placed her hand in his, and they walked down together, bathed in the light.
Admittedly, the vibe was perfect for a wedding.
It was Esme's first time seeing Damian, and her eyes lit up with amazement, but she quickly pulled herself together. "The legendary Mr. Hearst, what a pleasure to see you in person! The rumors don't do you justice. Mr. Hearst's demeanor and charm are unmatched."
Ashley couldn't help but be impressed. Esme was young but had a strong presence. Most girls seeing Damian would either lose their cool or stare with dreamy eyes like fangirls. She handled it like a pro.
She was definitely Sven's daughter.
Damian said calmly, "Miss Bergstrom, you're too kind."
Hendrix sneered, "How can those inexperienced women compare to you? Others only see the surface; you see the essence. You never know what's going on inside someone's head."
Damian stayed stone-faced, ignoring him.
Ashley couldn't quite figure out how close Hendrix and Esme were, but those straightforward words suggested they were tight.
Esme must've talked him up to her dad.
Clearly, Hendrix came prepared.
Esme didn't pay much attention to Damian but was noticeably less friendly when she saw Ashley. "I heard from my father that Mr. Hearst brought his secretary. This must be Miss Astor. My father is so bad at compliments. Miss Astor is clearly an ethereal fairy, yet he calls you a strong woman."
Ashley smiled lightly. "Miss Bergstrom, you're too kind. Compared to you, I'm very ordinary."
Esme, holding Hendrix's arm, tilted her head and smiled. "Beauty is just skin deep. I prefer interesting souls. Since Miss Astor is here, why not let loose and have fun? Don't be reserved; it makes everyone uncomfortable."
Was this a challenge? Or a test from Sven?
Either way, she wasn't in her own house. Plus, she had to help Damian get that land.
Ashley smiled. "We're here to have fun, so just let loose. Miss Bergstrom, lead the way!"