Chapter 353 The Childish Side
"Afraid you'll get mad."
If he gets mad, I might not see Dorian again.
Ashley didn't dare say this out loud. In Rochester City, the Hearst family and KM Group were like an empire, and Damian was at the top of the food chain. It's no exaggeration to say that his words could determine the fate of many people.
Often, in her anger, she would lash out and say harsh things, but when calm, she didn't dare to offend him too much.
Because she couldn't afford to gamble too much; she couldn't afford to lose.
Damian frowned deeply, "Do you think I have such a bad temper?"
Ashley forced herself to lie, "No."
But she couldn't bring herself to say that his temper was actually quite good.
Damian could see her mood from her subtle expressions. When he spoke again, his voice wasn't as cold as before, "Did Sean send it?"
He was still brooding over it and asked directly.
Ashley almost asked how he knew, but she held her tongue in time, "You wouldn't believe me even if I told you."
She didn't answer directly, but Damian could guess the answer.
The fire in his heart was stoked again, but he restrained himself, "Dorian will arrive in Rochester City at ten and be here around eleven. You should know it wasn't easy for him to get through all the checks this time."
He was hinting to Ashley not to go too far.
Enjoying the conveniences he provided while flirting with Sean.
Ashley understood his hint and said in a muffled voice, "I don't like roses, and I'm a bit allergic. He won't buy them again."
She reacted quickly and was smart enough, which Damian admitted he liked, "What kind of flowers do you like?"
It wasn't about the flowers; he wanted an attitude. She had to give it, so she just said one, "Flowers that don't die easily, the kind with roots and soil. Otherwise, I'd have to throw out a batch every few days, which is annoying."
Damian turned his head and smiled silently, "Cacti fit your requirements."
Ashley didn't argue. Let it be sarcastic; she didn't care.
Around eleven, Ashley finally saw a car coming up the mountain road.
She rushed out and saw a tall, slender man get out of the car. Her eyes welled up, but she held back, her voice trembling slightly. Luckily, she had learned to manage her emotions and didn't cry outright. "Dorian..."
Dorian saw Ashley, and a smile appeared on his travel-worn face. He quickened his pace as much as possible, and the inconvenience of his right leg became more apparent. The last few steps were noticeably limping, "Were you that anxious? Running out like this, what's a few more minutes?"
His words were reproachful, but his tone was surprisingly gentle and caring.
Ashley's eyes were red, and tears welled up as she looked at Dorian, who had finally returned safely after a long flight. Her emotions were overwhelming.
She really saw her brother, in Rochester City, on American soil.
"Why have you lost weight again? Running a restaurant and not eating enough?"
Dorian ruffled Ashley's hair, "You've lost weight too, but you look prettier. How have you been?"
Ashley clung to Dorian's arm, her tears staining his suit. She hadn't seen Dorian in a suit for a long time; he still looked so stylish and handsome. "I'm good. Eating well, sleeping well, living well, and work is good too."
She kept saying "good" several times, afraid Dorian wouldn't believe her.
Dorian felt Ashley was trying to comfort him. How good could she be alone in Rochester City without the protection of the Astor Group?
She had grown up in a privileged environment, never suffered, never had to look at others' faces. Suddenly falling into the abyss, it must be tough, "Is your job at the law firm going well? Anyone giving you trouble?"
Ashley pouted, "Am I that easy to bully? It's good enough that I don't bully others!"
Dorian laughed, "I know you. You only throw tantrums at us. Stubborn, soft-hearted girl."
Ashley pulled Dorian towards the prepared restaurant, talking non-stop along the way. Once inside the private room, she let him sit at the head of the table, "It's all your favorite food. See if anything's missing, and I'll have the kitchen make it!"
She wanted to pile all the good things on the table for him, afraid the time was too short to express her excitement at their reunion and her fear of parting.
Dorian sat down and saw the table full of his favorite dishes. He felt a pang of sadness, "You remember so clearly?"
"Of course! I even know you like cod, but I forgot to tell the kitchen to buy the ingredients, so I didn't make it for you. Next time you come, I'll prepare it and cook it myself."
Next time?
Dorian didn't dare to think if there would be a next time in this lifetime.
"It's not about the food. Seeing you safe and sound is enough. Before I came, Mom and Dad kept reminding me to take lots of pictures."
Ashley's nose stung. Mom and Dad were her untouchable red line; just mentioning them made her want to cry. She nodded sullenly, "Okay, you take... wait, let me touch up my makeup first."
The internet and communications were monitored. Dorian didn't use any communication tools in the country, and Ashley didn't dare risk a video call with their parents at this time. So, she let Dorian take lots of videos and photos to show their parents when he returned.
The siblings urged each other to eat more, but neither's mind was on the food. They just picked at it while talking.
There was so much to say.
"Dorian, is your restaurant busy? Are the customers easy to handle? Any troublemakers?"
"Are you seeing the doctor for your leg on time? Does it still hurt on rainy days? Oh, I met Martin in Coastal City a few days ago, Albert's teacher..."
"Is Blair helping at the restaurant too? Don't let her work too hard!"
"Do you remember the house Dad bought for me? Luckily, Dad had foresight. The house price has gone up again, but I'm used to living there and won't sell it. When you all come back, we can."
At this point, Ashley felt a strong metallic taste in her throat. She couldn't swallow it, couldn't spit it out. It felt like her airway was cut off, making it hard to breathe.
Could she still hope for her family to come back?
In the suite.
Ashley and Dorian's conversation was being live-streamed to Damian without any delay.
Watching the screen, seeing Ashley's face full of smiles, talking non-stop, Damian realized that the lively, optimistic, talkative Ashley was back.
This was the girl he knew.
Not the cold lawyer always putting on airs.
Thomas, watching the scene, also felt that this version of Ashley was more adorable and warm. If not for this moment, he wouldn't have remembered how Ashley used to cling to Damian, "Mrs. Hearst is so happy with Mr. Astor. It's been a long time since I've seen her this happy."
Yes, only at times like this did she show her childlike side, real and pure.
Damian asked, "Is Dorian's return schedule set?"
His time in the country had to be limited to avoid complications. Even with Damian's protection, they couldn't be too blatant.
Thomas nodded, "It's set. He flies out at ten tomorrow night."
Damian said, "Have someone watch over them, 24/7."
"Yes, Mr. Hearst. Aren't you going to see them?"
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