Chapter 292 She Collapsed
Tina was clutching the documents, her hands shaking. "Going abroad? Is that really necessary?"
Ashley nodded. "If you want to shield your kid from all the gossip here, then yeah, it is."
Robert and Alexander were in this together, and if Alexander went down, Robert would too. The public would be all over it, and the money he gave his ex-wife would turn into a scandal.
And if Tina divorced now, she'd be labeled a "heartless woman."
Her kid was still young and couldn't handle all that public scrutiny, might not even be able to go to school.
Ashley didn't spell it all out, figuring Tina would get it soon enough.
Tina nodded. "Alright, I'll do what you say. Once I get the money, I'll apply for an investor visa."
Ashley let out a sigh of relief. "Tina, you're still young, and you've got a bright future ahead. I really hope things get better for you."
Hannah was on the verge of tears, thinking, 'Ashley, you are amazing!'
Tina couldn't thank them enough as she left.
Hannah hugged Ashley, acting all cute. "Ashley, I love you! I love you!"
Ashley said coldly, "Uh, can you let go of me?"
Hannah giggled. "Ashley, are you hungry? Let me treat you to a meal!"
Steven might have already tried these dishes; she definitely didn't want Ashley to eat them!
Ashley laughed and asked, "Clean freak?"
She could tell that Hannah was extremely disgusted with Steven.
"My pure Ashley, how could such a man fantasize about you? Steven is just a shameless old man!" Hannah said.
Ashley packed up her briefcase and patted Hannah's head like she was a kitten. "Let's go, my little assistant."
Hannah made her hands into little claws and scratched her cheeks. "Meow!"
Ashley was amused.
Hannah went all out, booking a fancy private room at the garden restaurant in Emerald Lakeside Gardens. She said, "This is my first meal as your assistant; it can't be half-hearted. Ashley, you have to enjoy this meal."
Ashley knew the prices at the restaurant too well and felt a bit sorry for Hannah. "Hannah, have you made any money? Are you spending your parents' money so freely?"
"Oh, I'll pay them back when I earn some!" Hannah said.
She was pretty good at justifying herself.
The food came, and both the presentation and taste were top-notch.
After a small drink, Ashley felt a sudden pain in her lower abdomen, wondering if her period was coming early.
"Hannah, can you go to the supermarket outside and buy me some sanitary pads?" Ashley said.
Hannah blinked.
As a fellow woman, periods were normal, but hearing it from Ashley, it felt so...
Ashley rubbed her stomach and laughed. "What's wrong? Can't I have a period? Do you think I'm made of iron?"
"No! It's just a bit surreal; give me a moment to adjust." Hannah said.
"You!" Ashley laughed out loud; Hannah was just too funny.
Ashley quickly walked to the restroom, not noticing someone following her.
When she came out, she almost bumped into that figure. "Mr. Rogers?"
Steven seemed to have specially tidied his hair and clothes, looking more presentable. "Ash, didn't you say you needed my help with something? I'm free today; shall we talk?"
Ashley wasn't feeling well today, and she was almost certain Steven wasn't a gentleman. It seemed that she could no longer have anything to do with him. "Mr. Rogers, you're in a high position. Who wouldn't look forward to your help?"
Steven politely said, "Shall we sit in the private room?"
Hannah hadn't returned yet, and Ashley wasn't sure of Steven's intentions, so she didn't dare move. "Isn't today inconvenient? Didn't you have an appointment with Victor?"
"Victor left; it doesn't matter," Steven said as he reached to touch her back.
She sidestepped. "Mr. Rogers, please."
Steven moved slowly, almost shoulder to shoulder with her. "You work as a lawyer at Sky Balance Law Firm. Are you having any difficulties in life? Do you need money?"
Ashley tried to dodge to the side. "A lawyer's income is quite decent."
Steven pushed open a door, blocking it with his hand. "I saw you discussing a case with Tina today. Actually, I have a tricky lawsuit here and would like you to take it."
Ashley was half-skeptical. "What kind of legal trouble are you in, Mr. Rogers?"
Steven smiled. "Since it's a legal dispute, we can't let others hear about it."
Ashley glanced around. It was dinner time, and the place was pretty crowded. Steven wouldn't dare try anything. And if he did, she could always scream for help. "Alright."
The door closed, and the room fell silent.
The rich fragrance of rose incense filled the air, creating a cozy vibe. The table was set with pastel-colored pastries, looking all fancy and elegant.
Ashley frowned. "Mr. Rogers, please get to the point."
"Why the rush? Try some of the pastries I had the chef make. Women love sweets," Steven said.
Ashley immediately thought of Hannah's disdainful look. If she were here, she'd probably be holding back a laugh. "Mr. Rogers, you're too kind. I've already eaten, and no matter how good it is, I wouldn't be able to taste it. Wouldn't that be a waste?"
Steven put his hand down, scrutinizing her. "Ashley, if it weren't for your father's investment in Smart Wing Technology back then, I wouldn't be where I am today. So, I sincerely want to repay him."
Ashley asked, "How do you intend to repay him?"
Steven lightly tapped the table with his fingers, inching closer to her. "Taking care of Tina was a task entrusted to me. If she has grievances, I stand up for her without hesitation. I would do the same for you. This world is dangerous, with many men like Robert. If you ever encounter one, I would feel even more guilty!"
Ashley felt a chill but kept an innocent look. "Mr. Rogers is right; people's hearts are hard to fathom."
"So, Ashley... I want to take good care of you. Ever since I saw you at the last party, I thought, you can't fall into the hands of others and be bullied. I have to do my part," Steven said.
Ashley felt like throwing up. Her throat was starting to hurt, and she wanted to cough. "Mr. Rogers..."
Before she could finish, Steven suddenly grabbed her hand, holding it tightly, and said urgently, "Ashley, if you stay with me, you won't need to handle lawsuits. Half of my money will be yours. With Smart Wing Technology as your backing, would you still fear being looked down upon? As long as you're with me, I guarantee..."
Ashley gritted her teeth and slapped him. "Steven! Do you want to die?"
Steven was knocked back into his seat by her slap, a red mark appearing on his face. His expression immediately turned serious. "Ashley, how dare you hit me! I gave you a chance to be my lover because I found you attractive. Don't be ungrateful!"
Ashley's face turned pale with anger. She grabbed a water glass and splashed it at him. "Get out!"
Steven, drenched and slapped, felt a surge of anger. He rushed forward, grabbing her arms with the natural strength advantage of a man, and roughly pressed her onto the table. "Ashley, I'm telling you, once you enter this door, I won't let you leave."
Ashley wanted to curse, but she suddenly felt dizzy.
She hadn't eaten anything, so why was she dizzy?
It must have been the incense.
She gritted her teeth and twisted her wrist, but her strength was being sapped away bit by bit, and she couldn't muster any force.
Steven's face got closer, his breath reeking of tar. "Yes, just stay down like that, this position..."
"Help!" Ashley screamed at the top of her lungs.
Steven quickly covered her mouth. "Still able to scream? Soon, you'll be screaming something else."
Ashley thought this was bad. Would Hannah think of knocking on doors to look for her? That girl wouldn't think she had left, would she?
Her mind grew more and more sluggish, and everything in front of her started to blur. She could only see a large hand pulling at her clothes in the dim light.
In her daze, she heard a thunderous crash. She bit her tongue hard to keep herself from passing out and turned to look at the suddenly lit private room, only to see a particularly tall figure in the chaos.
Then she heard a man's wail in her ear, and the external force restraining her suddenly disappeared. Her body went limp and fell.
But instead of the pain of hitting the ground, she was enveloped in a soft embrace.
Just before her senses failed, she caught a faint whiff of Tahitian vanilla in the air.
Was she hallucinating from the incense?
