Chapter 363 Control
For the past three hours, Damian had been quietly sitting on the outdoor sofa with his eyes closed, resting.
This was a habit he had developed over many years. Whenever faced with a major decision or a company crisis, he would find a place where he wouldn't be disturbed, empty his mind for a few hours, and put himself in a meditative state.
He would completely clear his mind of distractions, then calmly analyze the pros and cons, envisioning five or even ten years into the future from a perspective far above the present to make his current decision.
Many people said Damian had a forward-looking vision and that he could grasp trends years in advance.
But no one knew that behind every milestone nod was his extraordinary insight.
However, today, no matter what, he couldn't empty his mind or sort out a clear enough thought from the tangled clues.
As soon as he closed his eyes, the image of Ashley and Hendrix chatting happily would automatically appear before him. Her laughter, expressions, and movements were all spells that disturbed his mind.
In the past, half a day would pass in the blink of an eye, but today's three hours felt as long as enduring all four seasons.
Finally, in the last twenty minutes, Damian couldn't sit still any longer and started walking forward.
The scenery and arrangements along the way were useless in his eyes. They added no beauty but rather obstructing his view like trash.
He really wanted to give an order to flatten this place.
Finally, he saw two people, one standing and one sitting, at the end of the wisteria trellis.
Hendrix was holding Ashley's hand, and the two were chatting away.
Still reluctant to part even in the last moments?
He heard Hendrix ask, "What do you want from him? Whatever you want, I can give it to you too."
His steps uncontrollably crossed the wooden deck, and his anger flared up. He spoke before Ashley could respond.
At this moment, he held Ashley's shoulder tightly. Her body heat was in his hand, but he still felt uneasy and insecure, wanting to tear her apart and put her inside his body.
"Ashley, I have all the time and patience."
Hendrix, seeing Damian hugging Ashley right in front of him, gripped the wheelchair armrest tightly. If his legs could move, he would have punched him, "Mr. Hearst is afraid of losing the lawsuit, so he secretly bribed the plaintiff's lawyer? But unfortunately for Mr. Hearst, the people at Sky Balance Law Firm won't be tempted by your small favors. So don't waste your time!"
Ashley secretly tried to wrestle free from his grip, but Damian's strength was clearly much greater than Hendrix's. She had no chance of winning, and the more she struggled, the tighter she was held. That arm was like a snake, pinning her down.
Damian exerted force with his hand, but his face remained expressionless. He coldly glanced at Hendrix, who was sitting lower, "Mr. Long's legs still can't move?"
Hendrix's face changed dramatically, and he sneered through gritted teeth, "From Mr. Hearst's tone, it sounds like you want to kick me again? Fine, there are lawyers present, and there's a camera above you. I'd like to see how Mr. Hearst plans to escape with solid evidence. Mr. Hearst has extensive resources in the judiciary, and it's said even the Chief Justice has to look at your face. Is that true?"
The last few words were filled with provocation and sarcasm.
Damian said coldly, "You'll have that chance."
Ashley saw the two were about to ignite again, closed her eyes for a moment, and bit her lip to calm down, "Gentlemen, we'll be seeing each other in court in a few days. There's no need to exchange harsh words here. You are both prominent figures in Rochester City, and no one dares to provoke you. So can you both show some mercy and temporarily call a truce? Don't involve innocent people."
Hendrix shrugged, "Okay, Ms. Astor has spoken, and I will give her face. But a word of advice to Mr. Hearst, in the capital market, you can cover the sky with one hand, but in matters of the heart, don't be too ruthless."
Damian, exuding coldness, looked like a frozen man in the night, "Mr. Long, mind your own business before meddling in others'."
Hendrix raised his voice, "Damian, you and Ashley are already divorced. What right do you have to interfere with her freedom?"
As soon as he said this, Ashley's back went cold, and half of her body went numb.
Was Hendrix looking for death?
Damian clearly felt Ashley's reaction. Was she worried? Worried about Hendrix's safety? Worried that in a fit of anger, he would do something to Hendrix?
Did she care about him that much?
"She's mine. Do you have a problem with that, Mr. Long?"
"Are you trying to scare me? Let me tell you, Damian, as long as you don't kill me, I'll keep meddling. You can forget about controlling her again."
Damian's thin lips finally moved, parting slightly, "Mr. Long is in a hurry to die. Fine, I can fulfill that wish right now."
With that, it seemed his next move would be to end Hendrix's life.
Ashley, in a panic, tightly hugged Damian's arm, "Mr. Hearst, I have something to say to you. Come with me!"
If she didn't pull him away, who knew what Damian would do in his rage.
And if she didn't provide an out, Hendrix would really get himself killed with his words.
Forcibly pulling Damian a few steps away, Ashley's arms were about to break from exhaustion, "Mr. Hearst..."
Damian interrupted her, "Aren't you afraid that by defending Hendrix like this, I'll use more extreme measures to deal with him?"
Ashley choked, "I'm helping you, not him. If you really do something to him, and if anything happens to him, can you successfully get away? This is Hendrix's territory. His aunt and the Infinity Enterprises Group's legal team are inside. No matter how powerful you are, you can't erase the evidence."
Damian's anger on his face slightly subsided, and he frowned, "So, you're doing this for me? Ashley, your lying skills aren't as good as they were three years ago."
Ashley, with a stern face, was exasperated, "To be precise, I'm trying to protect myself. No matter who gets hurt, I can't escape the blame. Hendrix has his ways to get out unscathed, and Mr. Hearst, you are even more capable. What about me? I still have to live in Rochester City and make a living in the legal circle. If you both come out unscathed, the only one who will get hurt is me."
After hearing her explanation, Damian's anger was halved, "Is there anything you're afraid of? I thought Ms. Astor feared nothing."
Ashley blurted out, "I'm afraid of you."
Damian was stunned for a moment, "You don't seem afraid at all. Didn't I warn you to stay away from him? Didn't you hear me?"
Ashley said as she walked out, "I'm afraid of you, but I still have to do my job. Mr. Hearst, you should have seen today that we are just superior and subordinate."
"Do you think I'm an idiot, Ashley? Superior? He threatened me with that attitude, and you still dare to say that?"
Ashley wanted to defend Hendrix, but he had spoken too harshly, leaving her with no excuse. She sighed helplessly, "Can't you be more mature? Why stoop to his level?"
Damian's breath hitched, and in her softened voice, his anger temporarily subsided.
After a moment, he looked at her lowered face, "And how does he know about our situation? Did you tell him?"
Ashley looked at her toes, thinking she was really unlucky. Why was it so troublesome to fight a lawsuit, "No."
Damian snorted coldly, "It seems he had someone investigate my marital status. No wonder he's a lawyer; he can even access my information. Do you believe that if I investigate further, the person who helped him look into my identity will be taken away today and will only be able to count ants in prison?"
Ashley, anxious, grabbed his arm, "This matter ends here. No matter where he got the information, it's still the truth. He didn't lie, and this matter basically stops with him. He won't spread it around and won't affect your privacy."
Damian was very dissatisfied with Ashley repeatedly pleading for Hendrix. His already limited patience was almost exhausted, "Are you still pleading for him?"
Ashley pursed her lips, "Then what do you want to do? Go back and kick him? Then go ahead, I'll wait here. As long as I don't see it, I can't be a witness and won't bear any legal responsibility. Don't look at me like that. I'm just a coward who fears trouble and loves life. I don't want to be dragged down by your big shots."
Damian rubbed his forehead and massaged his temples, helplessly saying, "Let's go."
Ashley blinked, "Where to?" Was he really going back to beat someone?
Damian grabbed her hand and pulled her forward, "With your driving skills, you're courting death. Let's practice driving properly!"
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