Chapter 318 Heart Moved
Patrick hit the ground hard, the stones digging into his knees, but he didn't care anymore. In front of Damian, he felt like nothing. He was shaking all over, eyes wide with fear, unable to focus. "I... I... I was forced. I had no choice. Please, please don't kill me."
Damian shot him a cold look, his jaw clenched tight, clearly not ready to let this slide.
He bent down, took off his jacket, and wrapped it around Ashley's soaked body. Seeing the bruises and blood on her face felt like a thousand tiny knives stabbing his heart. He pushed down his pain and anger, held her gently, and whispered, "It's okay now."
Ashley caught a whiff of his clean, fresh scent, her swollen eyes barely opening. Weakly, she grabbed his collar, "You're here."
Damian looked at her, his heart breaking at the sight of her injuries. If he didn't deal with these bastards, he'd never calm the storm inside him.
But when he spoke, his voice was calm and gentle, "Yes, but I was late."
Ashley shook her head, still with water in her lungs. She coughed a few times before calming down and said, "They are Alexander and Robert's men. They threatened me to stop representing Tina in court. Alexander is under investigation and won't escape, and Robert is definitely involved, so..."
She turned her head from his arms to look at the man struggling in the water, the one raising his fist to attack, and Patrick begging for mercy. A faint, cold smile appeared on her lips, "So, do whatever you want. I won't plead for anyone."
Everyone had to pay for their actions. Her compassion had limits, and once crossed, she wouldn't show mercy.
Damian gently wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth with his thumb, careful not to hurt her, "Okay."
Ashley was in pain and exhausted, but she still had some sense left, "Don't do it yourself. It's not worth it."
These people weren't worth Damian getting his hands dirty. She didn't want him to stain his hands with blood.
Damian picked her up and placed her on the smooth grass, her back against a tree trunk. After making sure she was okay for now, he pulled the jacket higher to cover her eyes and whispered, "If you find it dirty, don't look. It'll be over soon."
Ashley didn't argue. She was too hurt and tired, still feeling suffocated. Her whole body was limp.
In the darkness created by his jacket, she could only see the lining. The scent of him, fresh and clean, filled her breath, like a piece of the clear blue spring sky woven into his very being.
If she hadn't repeatedly told herself not to fall for him again, she couldn't guarantee she wouldn't be as reckless as before.
What the heck were they?
Amidst the screams, groans, and dull thuds of fists hitting flesh, along with the sound of splashing water, Ashley fell into unconsciousness.
"Awake?" Ashley hadn't opened her eyes yet but heard Damian's voice close to her ear, almost touching her eardrum."Yeah."
She realized she was lying in a bed, surrounded by the familiar furnishings of Martin's house. Damian must have brought her straight to a doctor.
Damian touched her forehead with the back of his hand. "Fever's gone. Want some water?"
Ashley felt sore all over, and her mouth hurt with every movement. "How long was I out?"
"All night," Damian replied.
Ashley glanced out the window. The sky was bright, the sun hanging in the east, and the indoor plants were glowing green, filling her with a sense of rebirth.
She exhaled, feeling lucky to be alive.
Looking at his arm and other places, Ashley asked worriedly, "Are you okay?"
She didn't ask about the fate of those men; she was more concerned about whether Damian, with one arm, could handle those bastards.
Damian replied, "I'm fine."
Ashley pursed her lips and took a sip of the water he handed her.
Damian asked, "Wondering what happened to them?"
Ashley nodded.
"They're not dead, but the one who hit you is probably paralyzed for life. Patrick was handed over to the police. You can see him if you want or not. It doesn't matter," Damian said.
Before handing him over, Damian had efficiently disabled Patrick's legs, ensuring he could never help anyone again.
Ashley smiled slightly, her mouth hurting too much to smile broadly. "I thought you'd kill them on the spot. Seems you showed some restraint."
Damian's face turned cold, "Didn't you say it?"
She had said that in a law-abiding society, he couldn't just take someone's life.
"Hmm?" Ashley didn't understand what he was referring to.
Martin hurried in, relieved to see Ashley sitting up, "You're awake?"
Ashley felt embarrassed, having caused the old man so much trouble in just three days. "I'm really sorry, Mr. Collins. Thanks for your help."
Martin checked her pupils and tongue, then stroked his beard, "I'm not troubled. He is. He stayed up all night watching over you."
Damian remained expressionless.
Ashley, like a firecracker, exploded with more anger than gratitude, "Are you crazy? You just had treatment and were supposed to rest to see the results. How could you stay up all night? Now what? We won't know if it worked!"
Her sudden outburst surprised both Martin and Damian.
Damian put down the water glass, his cool demeanor blending with the warm sunlight, "I know the results. Don't worry."
What nonsense. Staying up all night definitely meant no results.
Ashley sighed, feeling guilty, "We came to treat you, and now this."
Martin laughed, "Treatment isn't urgent. We can try again today and see the results—Jasper brought breakfast. He'll bring it in soon."
So the boy's name was Jasper.
Martin left with a smile, and Ashley, still upset, said, "You..."
She wanted to ask if he was crazy or just plain stupid...
But considering all he had done for her, she softened her tone, "Do you want to take a nap?"
Damian checked his watch, "No time. We're heading back to Rochester City today. Maybe I can sleep on the plane."
Ashley's heart raced, "What's wrong? Did something happen there?"
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