Chapter 369 Court is in session, please proceed!
Riley opened his mouth but couldn't think of a single response. He grabbed Lynn's arm and pulled her aside, "Break it up, break it up. I'm swamped today!"
Lynn tightened her grip on her coffee cup, shot a cold glance, and then strode to her workstation in high heels.
Avoiding the crowd, Riley leaned in close to Lynn. "You mentioned last time that you met someone really impressive. Have you made any progress? Is that person more impressive than Mr. Long?"
At the mention of this, Lynn's annoyed expression faded a bit. She lifted her head slightly and smiled arrogantly, "No matter how impressive Mr. Long is, he's just a businessman. These days, don't businessmen have to look at the government's face to get things done?"
She had looked into Sean's background: three generations in politics, all high-ranking officials, far surpassing Hendrix's family.
"Oh my God!" Riley covered his mouth, "Are you saying that person has a political background?"
Lynn's eyes sparkled with excitement, "Don't ask so many questions."
Riley linked arms with her, "If you marry this person, don't forget about me."
The onlookers quietly dispersed, muttering about Lynn causing trouble again. Some even mocked in secret, saying it was no surprise Ashley was envied for her smooth sailing.
Hannah clapped joyfully, "Ashley, that was awesome!"
Ashley patted her head appreciatively, "You stood up for me again. Aren't you afraid of being ostracized by them?"
"Afraid of them? A bunch of big-chested, brainless two-faced people."
Ashley chuckled, "You have brains, but as for your chest..."
Hannah clutched her chest in mock pain, "Ashley, don't hit my vulnerabilities."
Ashley said indulgently, "Last time I took you to the beauty salon for nothing. Today, you go by yourself and try all the services, especially the chest treatments. Let the professional technicians give you a few more sessions; I heard the results are good."
"Really? I can spend as much as I want?"
"As much as you want."
Because Ashley and Lynn had a public spat, rumors about her dating a rich guy were dispelled. So, the topic of who Ashley's boyfriend really was became a hot topic again.
Ashley was quite troubled. Did these people have to focus on her love life?
Especially after the roses stopped coming, even Hannah was puzzled, "Ashley, did you guys fight? Your boyfriend isn't sending you flowers anymore."
Yeah, no more flowers, and there never will be.
"We broke up."
Hannah was shocked, "Broke up? I haven't even seen what your boyfriend looks like, and you broke up?"
"Yeah, busy with work, incompatible personalities, long-distance relationship, separate lives. The reasons for breaking up are always the same; there is no need for me to elaborate, right?"
Hannah patted her shoulder sympathetically, "Ashley, don't be sad. You're so beautiful and excellent; you'll definitely meet a better man in the future! Got it!"
Oh my God! Isn't this a match made in heaven?
Ashley broke up with the guy who sent roses, so her idol could take his place?
What did she say? With Ashley's stunning looks, God would definitely send her a boyfriend!
Ashley scratched her ear; this girl's voice was really loud, "Got what?"
Hannah giggled, "Nothing, nothing. You go ahead, I'll get you some coffee!"
She hadn't even left the room when the receptionist came in holding a beautifully wrapped box, "Ms. Astor, your local delivery."
Ashley never had her online purchases sent to the office, so how could there be a package?
"Who's the sender?"
The receptionist checked the slip, "No name."
Hannah, channeling her inner Sherlock Holmes, examined the box. It contained pink wrapping paper, red ribbon, a beautiful bow, and a strong scent of romance, "Ashley, could your ex-boyfriend be asking to get back together so soon?"
Ashley didn't even have an ex-boyfriend, so how could there be a reconciliation? She frowned, "Open it and see."
"Oh my God."
After peeling off layers of luxurious platinum wrapping paper, Hannah let out an earth-shattering exclamation.
Even with her imagination running wild, she could never have guessed that inside such a grand box was a cactus!
A cactus full of life, with sharp spines all over it.
The receptionist was also surprised, "Isn't this a bit much?"
Not sending roses was one thing, but sending a cactus after a breakup was just spiteful.
Besides, what was wrong with Ashley that she deserved such a jab from a jerk?
Hannah slammed the table in righteous anger, "Ashley, tell me who that jerk is, and I'll take him down!"
Ashley had the answer.
The cactus was from Damian.
He really kept his word. That day he sarcastically said she was more suited to a cactus, and then he actually sent one.
"It's fine, keep it. Let it remind me to cherish life, work hard, and stay away from men."
After work, Ashley ran into Harold in the parking lot.
Harold had walked about 10 feet past her, then realized something and came back, looking at Ashley and then at the car, "Ashley, did you buy yourself a gift?"
Ashley jingled the car keys, "Saving public resources for the firm. That company car can be for Hannah now."
Harold coughed, "Hannah came in a supercar, didn't you know?"
Ashley was shocked.
She had never paid attention to what Hannah drove.
"Hannah told me that Lynn is spreading rumors about you at the firm. How can you let someone slander you right under your nose?"
Ashley scratched her bangs with her long fingers, "It's fine."
Alright, you don't need to explain further. Harold understood and waved his hand speechlessly, "Get the Quantum Innovations Tech case wrapped up quickly!"
Ashley was amused by his worried expression, "Mr. Brin, you're so busy every day, are you planning to continue being a pastor? How about going on a few dates?"
Harold chuckled, "Why do you think I came back?"
"What?"
Harold smirked, "My parents arranged it at the restaurant across from the firm to make sure I don't have any excuses."
Ashley burst out laughing, "Wishing Mr. Brin great success! May you soon find a partner and become a dad!"
Harold felt a chill down his spine, "Get out of here."
In the car, Ashley flipped through the news. Amelia was filming on set, and many stills had recently been released. Amelia looked stunning, and her fan base was growing rapidly.
Switching to the WhatsApp page, I noticed a conversation that hadn't been active for a long time.
Ashley tapped a few times and changed Damian's contact name to "Cactus," adding a little icon.
Time flew by in the intense preparation, and soon it was the day of the trial.
In the morning, after a meeting at the firm, Ashley drove to the courthouse.
Hannah sat in the passenger seat, holding documents, a bit nervous, "Ashley, how about I drive? I feel bad making you drive while I sit here."
Ashley said, "I like to think while driving."
"Just make sure you watch the traffic lights."
Ashley made a right turn, and the courthouse was right ahead, "Aren't we here already?"
Hannah got out of the car anxiously and pursed her lips. "Ashley, let me drive back later, okay?"
Thinking while driving really wasn't a good habit.
Ashley pulled out the car key and got out. She then noticed Dante and his team. She looked away and smiled, "Alright, you can drive back."
Because she wasn't sure if the trial would give her a heart attack.
Hannah took the car key and asked uncertainly, "Ashley, that Mr. Moretti, you guys have worked together on cases before. Will he show any leniency?"
"Expecting him to show leniency? Not a chance."
As they spoke, Dante slowed down, deliberately waiting for her, "Ms. Astor, we meet again."
Ashley nodded, "Mr. Moretti, looking forward to working with you."
Dante smiled, avoiding the people around them, and whispered, "Ms. Astor, one last reminder: we can still settle this case. Mr. Hearst doesn't want things to get too ugly."
Ashley could tell this implied that today would be unusual. She replied seriously, "Mr. Moretti, a settlement wouldn't be hard. Quantum Innovations Tech needs to admit their mistake, compensate the victims, and apologize. But your company's idea of a settlement seems to be a one-sided crush on my client, with no sincerity at all."
Dante said, "We won't accept false accusations."
Ashley smiled slightly, "I've seen your skills. I'm sure you know the truth of this case. But I'll borrow a line from Mr. Hearst: giving it your all is the greatest respect for your opponent. Please, go ahead!"
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