Chapter 461 The Wooden Carving in the Drawer
She just left the office for a little while, and the boss is already unhappy?
Was he trying to push the capitalist exploitation to the extreme?
Ashley stood in the lobby of KM Tower, looking at the splendid decor, feeling the bustling and luxurious atmosphere around her, with countless elites coming and going, dressed in stylish outfits, and the crisp sound of high heels clicking.
But she felt quite uncomfortable inside.
Nicole has never liked her, and now she came directly to settle accounts with her. How long can she stay at KM?
Actually, leaving or not leaving doesn't seem like a big deal, but why does she feel a bit reluctant?
"I'll be up right away." After a brief adjustment, her voice was very calm.
She didn't say who she met or what it was about, and Damian didn't ask much either. He didn't need to ask to know what his mother would say, "Okay."
Ashley swiped her card and pressed the elevator button when suddenly a black figure quickly ran in.
Janet saw it was her and grinned, "Ms. Astor."
These days, whenever Ashley had free time, she would go to the legal department and got more familiar with Janet and the others, chatting more than when she was on business trips in Eirondia.
"When you rushed in just now, I thought you were Superman. What's the hurry?"
Janet, carrying a briefcase, smiled sheepishly, "Work, of course. There's a document Mr. Moretti urgently needs. I rushed to the relevant unit. The company is developing a camera business, and since it's a newly acquired company, some procedures need to be redone. After verifying with Mr. Fields, I hurried back!"
Ashley asked, "Is Daryl still holding a key position?"
"This is quite strange. Originally, I heard the company was planning to send someone from headquarters to manage it, but later Mr. Hearst said to let Mr. Fields continue managing it and see how it goes after a year."
Really?
Could it be that Damian adopted her suggestions?
The elevator reached the legal department floor, and Janet smiled, "I'll head over first, Ms. Astor."
"Okay, talk later."
"By the way, Ms. Astor, our legal department is having a team-building event in a few days. Do you want to join us?"
"We'll see. After all, I'm not part of the legal department."
"No worries! Our leader welcomes you, and the legal department loves working with you, Ms. Astor."
Ashley smiled.
That was because most people don't know about her relationship with Damian.
Ashley arrived at the president's office just as Nancy was about to bring in coffee, "I'll take it."
Nancy was overjoyed, "Ms. Astor, you're back! I was so nervous making coffee for Mr. Hearst just now. I made it according to his usual taste, but he didn't seem to like it. Can you teach me sometime? It seems Mr. Hearst really likes the coffee you make."
Ashley, holding the steaming coffee, smiled, "Sure, no need to remake this one."
Nancy clasped her hands in gratitude and whispered, "Ms. Astor, you know, ever since you became the assistant, Mr. Hearst hasn't yelled at anyone. We used to be scared to death every day, afraid of making mistakes and getting killed by his glare. The office atmosphere has been much better lately."
Damian didn't easily yell or lose his temper, but when he was in a bad mood, he exuded a cold and oppressive aura, which was truly terrifying.
Ashley raised an eyebrow, "Really? Maybe I'm just used to it."
Used to Damian's temper, so she was not that scared.
Nancy winked playfully, "I'll get back to work, Ms. Astor."
Damian was reading a document, sitting upright and meticulous.
Ashley put down the coffee, and Damian didn't react at all.
After a moment of hesitation, she said, "Thank you for the management decision regarding the Fields Group."
Regardless of whether his decision had anything to do with her suggestion, she should thank him. If he hadn't helped, Amelia's family would be struggling with debt right now.
She wanted to share this good news with Amelia today.
Even if she didn't say it, Daryl probably already told the family, but she still wanted to emphasize it.
As for why, maybe she hoped Amelia would change her opinion of Damian.
Damian finished reading the document, "This was a company decision made in a meeting, not my personal will. No need to thank me."
"Okay, then I wish Mr. Hearst success with this new business and making lots of money."
Damian glanced at her.
Meeting his mother didn't affect her mood?
"You've been at the company for a while now, so you should have heard about the Fields Group's issues. As a new department with a weak foundation and insufficient technology, it currently relies on funding from headquarters. Expecting it to make money is a long process."
Ashley said, "Tech research and development is always a long-term investment. Although we can't see the results now, in the long run, there will definitely be unexpected surprises."
Damian paused for a moment, his deep gaze calm as water, "You understand long-term investment, not only understand but also master it skillfully."
Ashley felt completely seen through by him. She wanted to avoid his gaze but felt it would be too deliberate, so she simply met his eyes, "Mr. Hearst, I don't understand what you're saying."
She didn't understand, but she could feel his sarcasm.
Damian extended his arm, wrapped it around her waist, and pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly, "You've also learned emotional management well. I thought you'd come back crying."
Ashley tilted her body, and Damian easily lifted her onto his lap, making her his plaything.
Does he really like this position? It feels like imprisonment.
"This is the office!"
Damian held her, not caring about her reminder or worrying about anyone suddenly coming in. Listening to her accelerated heartbeat and admiring her slightly flushed cheeks, he said, "Did you meet my mom?"
Ashley's eyes narrowed, surprise replacing her blush and rapid heartbeat, "How did you know?"
It shouldn't be. Since Nicole met her privately, there was no reason to tell her son so much, unless it was to deliberately cause conflict between mother and son. Or maybe this meeting was in line with Damian's thoughts?
The next moment, she heard Damian say, "Whatever she said only represents her personal stance, it has nothing to do with me."
Was he comforting her?
Feeling a warmth in her heart, Ashley smiled, "Maybe your mom has come around and thinks I'm a good daughter-in-law, and wants to invite me back into the Hearst family!"
Damian slapped her on the butt, his lips moving closer to hers, his voice hoarse and deep, "You can even joke about this."
If Nicole really said that, she would be scared and suspect there was a bigger danger ahead. Fortunately, her ex-mother-in-law still had the same temper, "Your mom reminded me to stay away from you, not to ruin your happiness, and not to seduce you."
Damian guessed as much, "What did you say?"
"Me?"
Ashley certainly wouldn't repeat the exact words, "I promised you I'd stay at KM for a month, so I can't give up just because of a few words from her. Compared to your mom's words, my lawyer's license is more important."
She really has changed. In the past, after being scolded by his mother, she would find a place to cry for a while and then pretend nothing happened, but no matter how she pretended, the grievance wouldn't disappear.
But, was it really just for the lawyer's license?
And had nothing to do with him personally?
"From what you're saying, staying at KM is very aggrieving and unwilling."
Ashley didn't hold back, smiling and taking credit, "Whether I'm willing or not is secondary. It seems Mr. Hearst, you enjoy ordering me around as a subordinate, and when you're bored, you can hold me in your arms and take advantage. Whether it's my abilities or my looks and figure, I can basically fulfill a man's fantasies. I heard that since I came, Mr. Hearst's temper has improved?"
Damian's long fingers caressed her lips, "Have you ever satisfied me?"
Although they've hugged and held each other a lot in the past ten days, they haven't crossed the final line. Ashley's ears heated up, afraid he might do something here, "Let me go, I still have work to do. Departments might come to report, I don't want to be seen."
Damian had no intention of letting go, his lips brushing her nose, his tone seductive, "You're right, taking advantage of you when tired from work puts me in a good mood. I don't even want to help you get your license anymore, I want you to be my assistant long-term."
Ashley was speechless.
Damn it, he can't be serious, right?
The phone rang, and Damian, still holding her and not taking his eyes off her face, picked up the phone, "Speak."
Ashley held her breath. This person was getting more and more outrageous!
"Okay."
Putting down the phone, Damian rubbed her earlobe, "There's an urgent meeting. Wait here for me, we'll go somewhere tonight."
Apparently, the matter was urgent, as Damian left in a hurry, pressing Ashley into the president's professional swivel chair.
Ashley calmed her slightly erratic heartbeat, rubbing her ears several times to stop the heat from rising.
Doing something at home was one thing, but this was the office.
The warmth from his body seemed to linger, making her tremble uncontrollably.
Damian's office was meticulously organized, with documents neatly arranged, clean and minimalist, very business-like.
Ashley had no intention of prying into business secrets, purely curious about what personal items Damian might keep in his office, but he was incredibly boring, with only cold office supplies and no decorations.
When she reached down, she accidentally opened a drawer.
Just as she was about to criticize Damian for not locking his drawers, her eyes were suddenly drawn to something inside.
It was a half-finished wood carving?