Chapter 294 Let's See How She Performs Today
"No need, Mr. Hearst. I can walk and know the way. I won't get lost on my way home." Ashley was a couple of steps behind but kept pace. They got in the elevator, watching the numbers drop, but it stopped at 1 instead of B1, which Ashley had pressed. She walked out.
Damian stayed in the elevator, but under Ashley's wary and resistant gaze, he couldn't take another step.
"Alright." All the words he wanted to say were replaced with this light response.
Ashley harbored deep hostility and prejudice against him. He couldn't get into her heart now; he could only wait for time to pass, for the barriers in her heart to loosen, before he could take the next step.
However, Damian was never one to wait passively. Just as Ashley turned to leave, he said calmly, "My people are watching Steven. You have a say in what happens next since you are the victim. As the owner of Emerald Lakeside Gardens, I have a responsibility to give you an explanation."
Ashley stopped in her tracks, her eyes empty and heated. 'An explanation? Haven't you given me enough explanations? Which one isn't more serious than this?'
"I trust Mr. Hearst will make the wisest choice. Mr. Hearst, do as you see fit." Ashley said.
Damian said, "Steven once received help from your father, but now he turns around and wants to harm you. If you don't take something back for yourself, wouldn't it be a waste?"
Ashley tried to sort things out and thought to herself, 'Sure, I almost got poisoned! Should I just let Steven take the beating?
"Let me think about it,"she said.
Damian nodded, "No rush. Whenever you decide to deal with him, let me know. I won't let him go before that."
Ashley didn't answer him, leaving only a receding figure.
Once Ashley's slender figure completely disappeared from view, Damian closed the elevator door.
Entering his home, the phone rang.
"Mr. Hearst, I've found what you asked me to investigate," Thomas said.
Damian put the phone on speaker, took out a cigarette with one hand, lit it, and leaned on the sofa, taking a puff. "Speak."
"Dorian had a car accident three years ago, losing his right leg. Mrs. Hearst was also in the car at the time. Hospital records show that Mrs. Hearst suffered severe external injuries, with multiple abrasions on her hands and broken nails. Additionally, Dorian received a prosthetic more than a year later, but it didn't heal well, leaving him unable to walk properly. Even with the prosthetic, he still limps." Thomas said.
After Ashley told Damian about the incident, he instructed Thomas to secretly investigate in Sylvania.
The findings matched Ashley's words exactly, except she had concealed her experience in the car.
Damian took a deep drag of the cigarette, the rich nicotine numbing his lungs, providing a protective layer against the pain. "Find a suitable opportunity to meet Dorian."
Damian, who rarely confronted Dorian directly, wondered whether he was good or bad.
Thomas hesitated, "Dorian has started a new life under a different name and clearly doesn't want to be entangled with the past. Will he agree to meet us?"
Damian said, "Dorian is not a coward. He won't always hide in the shadows. That's not his character."
Thomas agreed, "Yes, Mr. Hearst. I'll find a way to arrange it."
Ashley took her medication and slept, feeling much better.
Perhaps it was a mother-child connection, she received a call from her mother as soon as she woke up. "Ashley, are you busy?"
It had been a long time since she heard her mother's voice. Ashley smiled warmly, "No, I'm at home. I'm resting today."
"Good to know you're resting. I was worried you'd forget to eat and sleep because of work. Your father said not to call you too often to avoid disturbing your work. Look at him, always thinking about your work," Scarlett said.
Ashley thought of her parents bickering and smiled, "Yeah, Mom, you should keep an eye on your husband! You're the one who really cares about me. For you, I'll rest well, take care of myself."
"Are you trying to butter me up again? I know you too well. You used to study for twelve hours a day, even reading while eating," Scarlett said.
Ashley grinned, "Sounds like a compliment to me."
Scarlett chuckled, "I heard from Fred that Paula is still in Rochester City?"
"Yeah, Paula wants to make a go of it here. I'm helping her find a job," Ashley said.
Scarlett said, "That's good. You two are close. But don't be too accommodating. Paula is stubborn and headstrong. I don't want you to suffer."
Suffering was a thing of the past; it wouldn't happen now.
"Got it, Mom. I'll remember. Are you at home these days? Feeling better?" Ashley asked.
"It's much better. Your brother's new restaurant is ready to open. I'm here to help. It's quite lively today," Scarlett said.
Soon, Ashley heard her sister-in-law's cheerful voice, "Ashley! Our restaurant is opening. Your brother and I are going to be famous chefs abroad!"
Ashley's eyes welled up, "It must be because of you. My brother never cooked at home."
Dorian heard Ashley's complaint and said, "Don't talk nonsense. Who got up in the middle of the night to make you an omelet? Oh, you're terrible!"
"Dorian is kidding," Ashley's sister-in-law said.
Scarlett was called to the kitchen by her daughter-in-law, and Dorian took the phone to a quiet place. His tone changed to serious: "Ashley, tell me the truth. Are you doing well in Rochester City?"
Ashley hated it when Dorian showed such serious concern. It always hit her soft spot, "I'm doing fine. Don't you believe me?"
"I believe you, but I don't trust others. Do you know who contacted me today?" Dorian said.
Ashley clenched her fingers, "Who?"
"Damian's people. They want to meet me. I haven't encountered anyone from the Hearst family in three years. Now, they suddenly show up. I suspect they have ulterior motives," Dorian said.
Ashley stood up straight, like a rod, "What do they want from you? It's been so long; everything should be settled. Don't get involved with them, Dorian!"
Ashley had just mentioned Dorian's car accident to Damian, and he immediately sent people to block the door. What was he up to?
Dorian said, "Damian is two-faced and untrustworthy. I won't fall for it. You should be careful, too."
"I know. You all be careful out there. His people are everywhere," Ashley said.
After hanging up, Ashley gritted her teeth, thinking, 'Damian, you're quite the actor!'
"Ashley, Tina's case is about to go to court. I'm so excited!" Hannah said.
Ashley, dressed in a black suit and with a meticulous expression, showed no hint of humor. "If Robert dares to come, we'll make sure he leaves in a sorry state. It's too early to be excited."
Hannah, holding a file, nodded repeatedly, "You are right! I'm saving my energy for the last laugh!"
Lynn, carrying a briefcase, nodded and smiled at them, "You're here early, Ashley?"
Ashley returned the smile, "Of course, to get a good spot for the show. Lynn, after you."
She had seen most of Lynn's little tricks, thinking, 'With all her sneaky tricks, let's see what kind of performance she puts on today.'
"Yes, many people are watching this divorce case. We must win," Lynn said.
Ashley chuckled, "Of course."
Lynn walked confidently, her pencil skirt accentuating her figure.
Hannah pouted, "Lynn has been so happy these days. Could it be that Mr. Long really got back together with her?"
Ashley shrugged, "Who cares?"
