Chapter 333 Mr. Hearst Gets Drunk
"Didn't he tell you?" Scarlett immediately felt like she messed up, thinking she might've called the wrong person and spilled something Dorian didn't want out there.
Ashley, worried her mom might stop talking, quickly made up a story to keep the chat going. "Yeah, Dorian called a few days ago saying he had something to discuss, but he got pulled away for something urgent and hasn't had the chance yet."
Hearing this, Scarlett felt a bit relieved. The tough years had worn her down, making her more anxious than before. "Since Dorian's restaurant opened, business has been pretty good. Someone from back home wants to discuss a partnership with him. I don't know what kind, but the other party is quite powerful and even mentioned helping him pass security checks."
Ashley's first thought was Damian.
Dorian was a wanted man. If he went back home, he'd get arrested the moment he stepped off the plane. How could he take such a risk?
Unless Damian had promised to keep him safe.
Ashley laughed and said, "Dorian is amazing! The restaurant just opened, and people are already noticing his talent! You gotta believe in Dorian's abilities. Running a small restaurant is beneath him; he's meant to be a big boss!"
Scarlett gave a bitter smile. "Nonsense, it is unnecessary to be a big boss. If we can live peacefully for the rest of our lives, we'll be content."
Unable to get more info, Ashley switched topics. "Mom, have you ever worked with the Long Group?"
Scarlett was puzzled. "Which Long Group?"
"Brian, the chairman of Vertex Innovations Group," Ashley said.
People usually called Vertex Innovations Group the Long Group, so Ashley thought Scarlett would get it.
Over the years, Scarlett had undergone treatment, and her memory had significantly declined. Plus, she tried to forget the past in Rochester City, remembering only the good times. So, unless she made an effort to recall, she couldn't remember many of the old grudges.
When Ashley mentioned Brian, Scarlett was momentarily dazed and then slowly said, "I know him, but we didn't work together. It was more like..."
Scarlett hesitated.
"More like what? Were you friends?" Ashley said.
Scarlett replied, "Why are you asking this all of a sudden? Are you handling a case for Vertex Innovations Group?"
"Sort of, but not for Brian himself, for his sister Linda. When I went to the Long family today, he seemed particularly surprised to see me," Ashley said.
Scarlett considered the topic important and simply said, "When I was young, I dated Brian, but then some things happened, and we broke up."
This answer surprised Ashley. She thought it might be a family scandal, but it turned out to be a romantic entanglement from her parents' generation.
No wonder Hendrix's mom spoke so harshly.
"Did he have another woman when you were dating?" Ashley said.
Nola's reaction made it seem like her mom had taken Brian away from her.
Scarlett said, "No, we dated for over a year, and there was no other woman. But his parents didn't approve of us, and your grandparents didn't support our relationship either. So, we never took the next step. Later, your grandfather fell seriously ill... Let's not talk about this. Since you're working with them, just use your professional knowledge to handle the case well. The past generation's issues aren't important."
Scarlett might think it wasn't important, but Nola seemed to hold onto it, caring deeply.
Ashley didn't dare ask more, fearing it would upset Scarlett. She obediently said, "I understand, Mom. I'll do my best to win the case!"
As for who she was up against, she decided not to mention it. Scarlett gave her some more advice, telling her to eat well, get plenty of rest, and find a boyfriend so she wouldn't waste her youth.
Ashley nodded along, not arguing.
After hanging up, she thought about Dorian's return, her heart racing with excitement.
She glanced at her missed calls from today and a smile crept onto her face.
She hadn't called Damian back.
She thought, 'It has been a while, and he hasn't called again, so it probably isn't urgent, right? Should I call back?'
But thinking about what Scarlett had said, Ashley felt a bit worried. Maybe Damian wanted to talk about Dorian?
Her mind was torn between two thoughts.
The pleasant ringtone sounded in her ear, and Ashley silently mocked herself. She had never won a battle of wits with Damian.
After about twenty seconds, the call was answered. A deep, hoarse voice, as if it had been cut by something, said, "Hello."
"I didn't see your call earlier." So she didn't answer. She was actually explaining herself. What was there to explain?
She despised herself even more.
Damian didn't seem to care why she missed the call. "Where are you?"
Ashley glanced at the street sign. "Sunrise Avenue."
"Are you driving?" Damian said.
"Yes," Ashley said.
"Come to Blue Star," Damian said.
"Now?" Ashley said.
If Damian was at Blue Star, he would either be chatting with Christian and the others or meeting important clients. Either way, it wasn't appropriate for her to go.
"I drank too much. Come pick me up," Damian said.
With that, he hung up.
Ashley thought, 'Does he drink too much? Shouldn't he have Thomas pick him up? Or Roy? Why does it fall on her?'
She called back, but no one answered.
Was he alone? Did Thomas also drink too much?
Sunrise Avenue was in the same direction, so Ashley started the car and arrived outside Blue Star in less than fifteen minutes.
The lobby manager saw her and eagerly approached. "Miss Astor."
Ashley wished she were invisible. She really didn't want to draw attention on Damian's turf. "I'm here to find someone."
"Of course, Miss Astor. This way, please," The lobby manager said.
With no obstacles, Ashley took the VIP elevator straight to the third floor, where Damian's private suite was located.
She raised her hand but hesitated. She wasn't sure what scene would greet her when the door opened.
A noisy party? A tense negotiation?
Before she could decide, the gilded double doors slowly opened from the inside, and a man in a club uniform stepped out. "Are you the person Mr. Hearst is waiting for?"
Ashley frowned. "What's wrong with him?"
The attendant invited her in. There was no need for further explanation; Damian, lying on the sofa, said it all.
"Mr. Hearst?" Hearing her voice, Damian pinched the bridge of his nose, his alcohol-clouded eyes focusing slightly. "You're here."
He patted the spot next to him.
Ashley glanced at the messy table full of bottles and the man who still exuded an air of nobility despite being drunk. "Drank this much? Are you stressed out?"
Damian pinched the bridge of his nose with his long fingers, gently shaking his head to clear it a bit. "Can't you tell?"
Ashley looked around the room again and realized there must have been others here earlier. The place had been cleaned up, but he alone wouldn't need four ashtrays. "Had a meeting?"
Damian said irritably, "Some city officials."
Only those people would dare to push drinks on Damian.
But that didn't make sense. Damian had been in the business world for years, meeting countless big shots, and he had never gotten drunk or been forced to drink.
Seeing him so drunk and weak, Ashley felt a pang of sympathy. "Can you get up?"
Damian looked up at her with hazy eyes and a slight, pleading smile on his lips. "I can't."
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