Chapter 426 Reported
The phone on the table rang, and Ashley's name appeared on the screen.
The high-definition screen's note caught the eyes of Damian and Thomas.
Damian didn't pick it up, and Thomas didn't dare to speak.
The ringtone broke the silence in the room, gradually dispelling the tense atmosphere, but another, more sinister mood was slowly forming.
Selene wasn't dead; she was lying in the hospital. So how was Damian going to handle his relationship with Ashley?
One was his first love from his teenage years and a lifesaver, the other was his ex-wife of six years. This choice was harder than any exam he had ever taken. If it were him, he would probably pull his hair out.
But Damian would surely find a solution.
After a minute, the ringing stopped automatically.
The room was eerily quiet after the ringing ceased.
Damian was about to crush the bone between his eyebrows, staring at the darkened screen, saying nothing.
It wasn't that he didn't want to answer the phone or hear Ashley's voice; it was that, at this moment, he didn't know how to face her or how to handle their emotions.
Selene had almost died twice for him, and the past feelings made him have to weigh things seriously.
Before thinking about balancing the two, he didn't want to hurt Ashley.
After a moment, WhatsApp lit up.
Damian didn't unlock it.
Thomas guessed it was probably still Ashley.
But with Damian ignoring her twice, what would Ashley think?
On the other side.
Ashley called, but no one answered. She sent a WhatsApp message, but there was no reply. She thought Damian was busy at night, but the next morning, she checked her phone as soon as she opened her eyes and still found no response.
After a meeting at the law firm and lunch, Ashley checked her phone again while waiting for coffee in the break room, but there was still no message.
What did it mean?
Was it a hint for her not to disturb him anymore?
Or did he get what he wanted from her and no longer wanted to deal with her? Was their relationship supposed to end so tacitly?
Thinking of this possibility, Ashley gave a bitter smile.
Men are indeed more realistic than women.
"Ms. Astor?"
She was still in a daze when she heard Juliana's voice.
"What's up?"
Juliana, being very perceptive, noticed Ashley's unusual expression and asked tactfully, "Ms. Astor, do you have something to do later?"
"Nothing much, go ahead."
Juliana said, "Mr. Brin seems to be in a bad mood."
Ashley asked, "Why?"
As Harold's secretary, Juliana spent the most time with him and knew his work situation best, but this time, she could only shake her head, "I'm not sure either. There's nothing much going on at the firm recently. It shouldn't be about the cooperation with the Jones Group, right?"
Ashley had already discussed the cooperation with the Jones Group with him, and they would talk again when Theo returned, so it probably wasn't about that.
"I'll go check."
Harold was sitting alone in his office, pulling his hair in frustration. When he saw Ashley, he hurriedly tidied up the files on his desk, "No manners at all, don't you know to knock before coming in?"
Ashley saw his red eyes, clearly from lack of sleep, "Trouble? Is it you or your family?"
Harold had been pondering all day about how to talk to Ashley. Since she came to ask, he decided to spill everything, "Ashley, someone reported your family for a crime. The regulatory agency believes you are no longer suitable to continue practicing law."
Ashley's heart clenched, but she quickly calmed down, "You tried to fight for me, right?"
If there was no other way, Harold wouldn't be so desperate, "I've tried everything, but it's no use. They are adamant about your father's crime and insist on ending your career. If Sky Balance Law Firm continues to employ you..."
Ashley finished his sentence, "Then the firm will suffer negative impacts, possibly even be forced to close."
Ashley had regained her law license thanks to Harold pulling some strings, but she didn't expect that within a few months, someone would report her!
This news didn't shock her too much. Some things, before they happen, you can hold onto a glimmer of hope, but you must also be prepared for them to explode at any time.
Ashley forced a smile, "I understand."
Harold's eyes were even redder than hers, and he sighed, "Ashley, I know how much you love this profession. I understand your abilities. If you leave the legal field, it will be a loss for the law! Don't worry, I'll find someone to help, even if I have to call Hendrix. His connections are broader than mine."
Ashley shook her head, "Too risky. I can't drag you all down for my sake. Don't tell Mr. Long; his leg just healed, and if he gets agitated, it could cause problems. He's impulsive, and if he gets anxious, it could bring trouble."
"But are you willing to give up? You worked so hard to get your license!"
Ashley thought for a moment. She could guess that this report wasn't accidental. The other party must have solid evidence. If she fought back, it would only implicate more people, especially her parents and Dorian, "Of course, I'm not willing, but what can we do?"
Harold angrily pounded the table, and after two bangs, he gritted his teeth, "How about this, I'll talk to my family, and you can work at my dad's company. We'll find you a suitable position. Without a license, you just won't go to court, but your expertise won't be wasted."
Ashley's mind was a bit chaotic. This news was quite sudden. With her family background exposed, all her plans would be disrupted, and everything would go off track. She hadn't prepared a plan B for herself, "Harold, let me calm down. I need to figure out who's behind this."
If something happens suddenly, there must be a reason. Harold asked, "Who have you offended recently?"
"Who haven't I offended?"
"Your dad's old creditors?"
"Possibly. Is there any way to find out who reported it?"
Harold shook his head, "Investigating the identity of the informant is very difficult."
Ashley rubbed her forehead. Yes, she knew, "I'll try to secure the cooperation with the Jones Group as a private individual."
Harold was furious, "Do you think I'm that selfish? Exploiting you to work for the firm at a time like this? Forget the cooperation with the Jones Group. The firm has plenty of other opportunities. If Hendrix, Lucien, and I put our heads together, do you think we need you to run around for us?"
Ashley smirked, "Then I should thank you for giving me a chance to make a contribution?"
Harold didn't say it directly, but that's what he thought. Only if Ashley made enough achievements could she shut those people up. But now, it didn't matter anymore, "Do you have any plans?"
"Find a way to catch the mastermind."
"Are you going to handle it alone again? Do you consider me a friend?"
Ashley smiled, "No."
To avoid causing trouble for the firm, Ashley packed some personal belongings after work and temporarily left.
A report is no small matter; there must be a related process.
But to trace the source of the information, she would need public officials, and she had no connections.
For now, she could only find another way.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
