Chapter 331 Calling Out Someone's Name in a Dream
Nola never really cared about the girl Hendrix was into, so she didn't pay much attention. Even when she heard Hendrix's excited introduction from behind, she couldn't bring herself to care and just kept chatting and sipping tea with Brian.
It wasn't until Ashley walked over from the decorative shelf, adding a slender figure to her view, that she slowly lifted her head. At first glance, she saw a tall figure, the girl's summer chiffon suit neatly tailored, her heels not-so-high, adding a touch of approachable elegance. Delicate features framed a face with smooth, flowing hair, clean and beautiful. A vibrant bouquet in her arms added a burst of color and vibrancy.
After the initial amazement, Nola's eyes suddenly narrowed, and a familiar image flashed through her mind!
Then her gaze quickly flew to Brian, "Who is this?"
Obviously, Brian was also stunned by Ashley's appearance. It wasn't her beauty that shocked him, but the familiarity, so familiar that it could turn back time and take him thirty years back.
So similar, incredibly similar.
She looked exactly like the girl in his memory. If time hadn't taken away that girl's beauty, she would look like this today!
Brian almost lost his composure and stood up, but thinking that it was absolutely impossible, he forced himself to sit down. Looking at the beautiful face behind the bouquet, he tried to ask naturally, "What's your name?"
Hendrix felt secretly pleased. He knew Ashley's appearance would amaze them, but his parents' reaction was even more intense than he had imagined; they were completely shocked. "Dad, Mom, her name is Ashley. She's a lawyer at our firm. If you paid any attention to legal news, you'd know her. She just won a big case recently..."
While Hendrix was still enthusiastically talking about Ashley's achievements, Brian's face gradually turned pale. He clutched the glass teacup in his hand, the tea slightly shaking due to his arm's movement. "Is your last name Astor?"
This confirmed his suspicions.
Ashley was puzzled. Did her appearance really surprise the elders that much? "Yes, my last name is Astor."
Nola let out a low laugh filled with sarcasm and helplessness. "What a coincidence, after all these years, we still meet. I was wrong earlier; you and your father's taste are the same."
Ashley didn't understand what she was being sarcastic about, but the atmosphere around her felt very strange.
Brian coughed lightly and looked at her carefully, "…Sit down, let's talk."
Hendrix enthusiastically took the flowers from Ashley's hands, smiling, "Sit here. What would you like to drink? How about some tea? Do you like tea?"
Seeing Hendrix's eagerness, Nola almost tore a hole in the cushion. "Miss Astor, the tea today is quite good. You'll definitely like it."
She poured a cup of tea, the light green color visible through the transparent glass.
Ashley felt there was more to her words, but she took the cup, placed it in front of her, and nodded, "Thank you."
Nola didn't respond, smiling faintly, "You're my son's subordinate?"
Ashley's eyebrows slightly furrowed. Why did she speak so strangely? "Mr. Long is a partner at the firm. I'm just an ordinary lawyer."
Nola glanced at Brian, picked up her cup, and took a sip, "A boss inviting a subordinate to his home for dinner, and specifically having his parents present, you should know what that means."
Ashley replied, "Mrs. Long, don't misunderstand. I'm here today because Mr. Hendrix Long's leg injury makes it inconvenient for him to go out, so we arranged to discuss work at home."
Nola chuckled, "How old are you? Do you really buy that excuse? You're a lawyer, not an idiot. If it was really about work, even if his leg was messed up and his brain was fried, he wouldn't need his parents around. Does he lack basic judgment and need a guardian to make decisions?"
Hendrix, being a bit dense, didn't catch the sarcasm in his mom's words at first. But now he got it, and with a dark look, he said, "Mom, what are you talking about? She didn't want to come here. I had to convince her to come to discuss the case with Aunt Linda. How did it get twisted in your mouth?"
Nola put down her cup, her attitude firm and her tone harsh, "How are you talking to your mother? Are you my son or not?"
The atmosphere instantly turned icy, and Ashley felt particularly out of place sitting there.
It was said that children shouldn't be scolded in front of outsiders, but Nola's reprimand was clearly meant for her to hear.
Ashley stood up slightly, "Mr. Long, let's discuss work another day. I won't disturb you any longer."
Hendrix grabbed her wrist, "Don't go yet; wait for me a moment."
Ashley came to discuss work but was inexplicably ridiculed by elders she met for the first time. She felt uneasy and couldn't keep her composure, "No need, Mr. Long. I'll arrange another time to discuss the case with Ms. Linda Long."
Hendrix hurriedly said, "Five minutes, give me five minutes. I'll be right there. Don't go, please!"
Immediately, a servant came over and invited Ashley to wait in the side hall.
After Ashley left, Hendrix raised his voice, "Mom, what are you doing? You never spoke like this before. What's going on today? Even if you have issues with the lawyer, you can't be so rude!"
Nola snorted, "She's definitely like her mother, both bad women! Do you expect me to be nice to a bad woman? Your mother isn't that magnanimous!"
What? Hendrix was confused, "Dad, what's going on?"
Brian sighed heavily, "Your mother is making a big deal out of something that happened over thirty years ago."
"What exactly happened?" Hendrix said.
Brian was reluctant to speak in front of Hendrix, "Forget it."
"If you don't want to say, fine. But I've made up my mind about Ashley. I won't marry anyone else." With that, Hendrix turned his wheelchair to leave.
Nola slapped the table, "Ashley's mother is your father's ex-girlfriend! If you don't believe me, go ask her yourself and see if she dares to admit it!"
Hendrix's hand paused on the wheelchair wheel. He turned back, looking at his father, who was silent but clearly confirmed, "Is it true?"
Brian frowned, "It's been so many years, I've forgotten. It's just your mother who can't let it go."
Nola snorted, crossing her arms and sinking into the sofa, "Is it me who can't let it go or someone else? Who's the one staring at old junk from thirty years ago with deep affection?"
Hendrix felt dizzy. His father's ex-girlfriend was the mother of the girl he liked. How did he end up in such a bizarre situation?
"Dad, you... cut off contact, right?" Hendrix said.
Brian said righteously, "If I hadn't cut off contact, would I have ignored the big trouble Astor Group was in back then? I didn't even ask a single question because I was afraid your mother would overthink. Look at her now, so exaggerated, completely unreasonable."
Nola threw her arms down, tossing the cushion onto the carpet, "Say that again? Dreaming and calling out her name, who's unreasonable!"
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