Chapter 451 The Groom Was Snatched Away
"Who told you that? KM and Emperial Avenue Group have always been competitors. Although Damian and Trinity have had close personal interactions, KM has always kept business and personal matters separate and never engages in underhanded tactics."
Ashley took a sip of her coffee, her gaze drifting over the rim of the cup. "I was just making a casual remark. If it's a misunderstanding, then forget it. I thought so too. You and Mr. Hearst are both part of the Hearst family, so you wouldn't team up with outsiders to bully your own people."
Victor pondered silently. Could Ashley know something? Otherwise, why would she speak so cryptically?
"Even if you don't say anything, I would still trust you. But you can't stop the rumors outside. Gossip is the worst, especially when it's spread and distorted. It's unbearable. What if it reaches Grandpa? What would he think?"
Ashley put down her coffee, her determined gaze meeting his. A faint tension filled the air. "After all, someone saw you having dinner and drinks with Edward in private. It's said that Edward admires you and even wanted to marry his daughter to you. Although I don't believe a word of it, rumors are hard to control and explaining them is a hassle."
Recalling the scenes from the video, Ashley doubted if she even knew Victor. He had bribed the security to keep track of Damian's every move, trying to use Edward to counter Damian.
What was his goal?
To make Damian lose Anthony's trust due to a business mistake?
This idea was easy to understand. Victor had been the vice president at KM for a long time and had coveted the president's chair for years, eager to get rid of Damian in one fell swoop.
Damian wasn't an easy opponent either. The video was so clear, totaling 100GB. Showing any part of it to Anthony would be enough to infuriate him.
Ashley felt a chill in her heart. The open and covert struggles in wealthy families were terrifying. Family ties were as thin as paper, and everyone was eyeing power.
Victor's well-maintained smile cracked slightly, and the veins on his hand gripping the cup bulged, betraying his true emotions. "None of it is true. It's all nonsense."
Ashley said, "I believe you, but others need to believe it too."
Victor frowned. Suddenly, Ashley seemed very unfamiliar to him. This wasn't the obedient little girl from The Hearst Villa. "What do you mean?"
Ashley's tone was soothing, but her words were firm. "As former family members and as KM's frequent legal partner, I can give you a suggestion. The best way to break rumors is to take the initiative! The big trouble in Edward's hands was sent by KM. Now, he should be willing to return it. Why don't you talk to him?"
Victor almost broke his knuckles. He never expected to shoot himself in the foot.
Nor did he expect Damian to use Ashley to deliver a message to him.
Jack noticed his terrible expression and asked cautiously, "Mr. Hearst, are you okay?"
Victor grabbed the ashtray on the table and smashed it on the marble floor, chipping a corner of the crystal ashtray. "He's deliberately making things difficult for me!"
Jack bent down to pick up the ashtray and fragments, cleaned up the debris, and then walked over. "Does Mr. Hearst know?"
Victor pressed his throbbing temples. He had been holding back his emotions all the way, finally releasing his anger in his office. Even so, he couldn't forget Ashley's innocent and pretty face.
What did she say?
"Victor, it's not that I'm making things difficult for you. I'm also forced into this. You know my situation over the years. My fate is in others' hands. What can a woman like me do?"
Damian was using her to declare war on him?
So, Ashley must dislike Damian.
In that case, good!
Victor loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. "So what if he knows? I'm also part of the Hearst family. He can't do anything to me!"
"So, what do you mean?"
Victor sat down and calmed himself for a moment. "Arrange a meeting with Edward. The fat meat he swallowed must be spit out."
At this point, he had no choice but to tear off the mask.
Edward was useless and had no value. He could only sacrifice him to protect the bigger picture.
Jack hesitated. "But this will create enmity with The Bezos family. If we face difficulties in the future, will they still help us?"
Victor sneered, "Whether Emperial Avenue Group can survive this is still uncertain. Even if they do, they'll be severely weakened. Rely on him to help me?"
Moreover, the information he provided to Edward was a scam. Edward must already hate him.
Forget about helping; they might end up in direct conflict.
Jack understood the essence and quickly nodded, "Yes, I'll arrange it."
After sending Victor away, Ashley leaned against the sofa, gazing out the window.
Damian, that cunning businessman, actually used her as a shield. Did he think she was stupid?
Now, Victor would only blame him, and as for her, she had crafted an image of a victim in Victor's eyes.
Playing the victim? Who couldn't do that?
The phone rang. Ashley glanced at the number and smirked, "Paula."
Paula was crying, heartbroken. "I left the stuff for you. Can you let me go?"
Ashley was annoyed by her crying. "It's too late to plead now. Before I tell Uncle and the others about your glorious deeds in Rochester City, pack your things and leave."
Paula sobbed, feeling as if someone had stolen her groom. "Ashley, I have nothing left. How will I live if I go back to Eirondia?"
"You're a top student, fluent in three languages. Finding a stable job to support yourself isn't that hard."
Paula wanted to plead further, but Ashley gave her a final ultimatum. "You have one day left. Instead of crying, you should pack your bags."
With that, she hung up the phone.
After all, they were family. She feared that if she listened to the crying for too long, she might soften.
The office door opened again, and Damian walked in, bringing the cool air from outside. His imposing presence filled the space.
Ashley didn't get up to greet him but looked up at him from the side. She had to admit, he was incredibly handsome, and his serious demeanor in a suit was even more captivating.
"Mr. Hearst, do you have time to sit and chat?"
Damian glanced at the coffee on the table. "You saw Victor?"
Ashley smiled lightly. "How could I not follow Mr. Hearst's orders?"
Damian adjusted his trousers and sat down, crossing his long legs comfortably. "Judging by your reaction, the task is complete?"
The same sofa, the same tall figure, the same outstanding looks. Damian had a way of being superior. To Ashley, he was much more pleasing to the eye than Victor.
"By now, he's probably preparing to meet Edward and confess. In a few days, Mr. Hearst will get the desired result."
Damian rubbed his chin with his long fingers, leisurely admiring Ashley by the window. He had given her this difficult task to test her courage and skills. He didn't expect her to accomplish it so quickly and decisively. "You really have a way. You're smarter than I thought."
Ashley was straightforward. "Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Hearst. We're all familiar here, no need for pretense. Since I helped you with this, shouldn't Mr. Hearst show some appreciation?"
"What do you want?"
Ashley didn't hold back. "I'll cook for Mr. Hearst for a month, as you said. But just cooking and cleaning is a waste of my professional skills. How about arranging a position for me in the legal department? I don't have a practicing license, so I can't go to court, but gathering evidence and organizing cases won't be a problem."
She had thought about this before Damian returned. She wanted to learn some skills from Dante.
Dante was deep and capable. If she could learn some skills up close, she would be able to take her litigation skills to the next level. Many things couldn't be learned from textbooks!
Damian suddenly laughed, as if looking at a fool trying to pull a tiger's whiskers. "Don't you think this request is a bit excessive?"
Ashley was prepared for his sarcasm and remained unfazed. "A bit, but I took the risk of Victor's retaliation to stand up for you. I'm not doing it for a verbal thank you."
Damian leaned back against the sofa, his right hand resting on his leg, tapping with his long fingers. "If you want to stay at KM Tower, it's not impossible."
Ashley's heart skipped a beat, but she knew he had more to say. "Please, continue."
"Thomas is currently on a business trip abroad, and his assistant position is temporarily vacant."
Ashley almost exploded on the spot. "I want to learn from Mr. Moretti, not serve you tea and water as an assistant!"
Damian remained unmoved. "The opportunity is here. Take it or leave it."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
