Chapter 361 Flirting and Bickering
Ashley wanted to hide but it was too late. Instinctively, she pressed Damian's shoulder, as if that could push him under the seat. "It's Linda. Does she know you?"
Damian rarely appeared in public, but maybe he and Linda had crossed paths somewhere. If she recognized him, how would Ashley explain?
Damian remained unmoved. "I don't know."
Ashley's blood pressure spiked. "You don't know?"
In the blink of an eye, Linda's shuttle bus approached hers. Linda, wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, dressed casually, with a slightly plump figure, smiled warmly before even speaking. "Hendrix was worried you might get lost, so he sent me to fetch you."
Ashley glanced at Damian out of the corner of her eye, trying to signal him not to say anything rash. But no movement could escape Linda's notice, so she forced a smile despite her nerves. "Thank you, Ms. Long, for coming out. You lead the way, and I'll follow."
The car window rolled down halfway, enough for Linda to see the man in the passenger seat. She glanced inside. "And who is this?"
"A friend."
Linda had met many people. Although the man inside wore sunglasses, obscuring his full appearance, his aura was unforgettable. Seeing that Ashley didn't want to elaborate, she didn't press further. "All the facilities at the estate are open to Ms. Astor today, and naturally, we'll also entertain your friend. See you soon!"
Ashley felt a chill down her back. "Thank you, Ms. Long."
After the shuttle bus left, she exhaled in relief. "Mr. Hearst, give me three hours, and I'll come find you."
Seeing the fine sweat on Ashley's nose due to nervousness, Damian said in displeasure, "Just a mere Linda, and you're this nervous? You haven't learned anything during your three years with the Hearst family."
Watching Ashley politely smile at Linda, Damian's forehead veins almost popped.
His woman, actually fawning over someone else!
Ashley gave a bitter smile, nodding sincerely. "As Mrs. Hearst of the Hearst family, I indeed don't need to fawn over anyone. I could hold my head high and wait for others to come to me. But Mr. Hearst, I am aware of my identity. Today, the person sitting here is just Ashley. If you don't want to see me socializing, please wait a moment. This estate, though not as luxurious and beautiful as yours, is still decent."
Leaving Damian, Ashley floored the gas pedal and sped off.
Watching the car tail disappear down the winding tree-lined road, Damian bit his teeth in frustration.
Then, he dialed Thomas's number.
"Notify Dante to contact the legal department for a meeting. Resolve the dispute with Infinity Enterprises Group within a week."
The longer it dragged on, the more private interactions Ashley and Hendrix would have.
And Hendrix had painstakingly arranged the meeting at the estate, clearly using work as an excuse to court Ashley.
Damn it!
As soon as Ashley got out of the car, she saw Hendrix sitting in a wheelchair, wearing a flamboyant Hawaiian shirt, competing with the surrounding green trees and red flowers.
He stood out among the crowd.
Others were also dressed casually, more like a picnic than a meeting.
Seeing her approach, Hendrix waved. "Ms. Astor, over here."
Ashley forced a smile. "Sorry, I'm late."
Linda took off her sunglasses and sat at the head seat, smiling. "Not late at all. We've been drinking tea, chatting, and enjoying the scenery—Ms. Astor, have a seat."
She indicated a seat next to Hendrix, separated from the others.
Ashley, as Hendrix's assistant, sitting next to her boss seemed natural, but the seating arrangement hinted at something more.
After she sat down, Hendrix leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Directly across from you is the legal counsel of Infinity Enterprises Group. To his left is the PR manager. You don't need to know the others, remember these two."
Ashley nodded. "How's the discussion going?"
Hendrix smirked. "With me here, how could it go badly?"
Ashley chuckled.
Their close interaction, like a couple whispering sweet nothings, made the atmosphere at the large picnic table a bit awkward.
Linda clapped her hands. "Okay, now that everyone is here, let's get down to business."
They first reviewed the lawsuit and then discussed the litigation plan Hendrix proposed.
Hendrix had previously communicated with them online, and today's face-to-face meeting made things clearer. Everyone agreed the plan was feasible and praised Hendrix for his strategy.
Lying in his wheelchair, Hendrix smiled. "As you can see, I'm not in the best condition to go to court and argue. So, the trial will be fully handled by my capable assistant, Ms. Astor. She is one of the most promising young lawyers at our firm. You can rest assured."
Ashley nodded politely. "Thank you, Mr. Long, for your trust, and thank you all for your help. I will do my best."
The head of Infinity Enterprises Group's legal department adjusted his glasses and smiled. "We don't doubt Ms. Astor's abilities, but with KM Group backing Quantum Innovations Tech, this might be tough."
Ashley replied, "KM Group indeed has a vast network in Rochester City, but no one, no company, is above the law. As long as we have enough evidence, we don't fear their tricks."
Hendrix nodded. "We have evidence of Quantum Innovations Tech's substandard products. Can KM distort the truth?"
The legal counsel smiled but said nothing. Hendrix had handed her such an important case to promote his woman. Was Sky Balance Law Firm not concerned about its reputation?
People whispered among themselves, some optimistic, others worried about KM's influence.
Linda had been observing Ashley. Whether thinking, listening, speaking, or frowning in difficulty, Ashley was undeniably beautiful, with every move captivating.
It wasn't without reason that her picky nephew was so infatuated with Ashley.
As for her workability, from the earlier conversation, Linda could gauge Ashley's competence. It was clear Hendrix entrusted her with this task not just because of her looks.
After discussing work, Linda skillfully changed the topic. "Talking so much has made us thirsty. Let's have a drink."
The waiter brought red wine.
The decanted wine glowed brilliantly under the sunset.
On a clear summer evening, golden light poured from the open western sky, with no tall buildings to block it. It cast shadows over the landscape, creating a warm atmosphere with high-saturation colors.
Ashley took a glass of red wine and checked the time.
Twenty minutes left of the three hours.
Taking a sip, Ashley leaned close to Linda and whispered, "Ms. Long, if there are any other work-related issues, we can discuss them later. I have some matters to attend to and need to leave first."
Linda swallowed her wine and raised her voice. "Yes, Ashley, where's the friend you came with? We couldn't involve others in our work discussion, but they can join us for the picnic!"
Hendrix, just about to sip his wine, paused and stared at Ashley, asking, "Friend? What friend?"
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