Chapter 469 Confronting the Hearst Family
"You think I need some kind of status to take him away?"
Ashley heard her voice, firm and resolute.
She thought that perhaps the high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat from the wild ride had given her more courage and boldness than usual to face this complicated family and the domineering Anthony.
Normally, she might not have had the guts.
There was one time, though, when she first visited Anthony after reuniting with Damian, she splashed water all over Damian.
People indeed become bolder when they are angry.
Nathan let out a faint, cold laugh. He sat there, looking down on Ashley as an outsider, as a member of the Hearst family, as if he were looking at a discarded shoe. "Damian is the president of the group and our most respected brother. You want to take him away without our family's permission? Where does that leave Grandpa's dignity?"
He wasn't stupid; he knew how to use Grandpa's status to pressure others.
Perhaps in the Hearst family, everyone was used to being completely trampled by Anthony, instinctively submitting or currying favor because they wanted the inheritance and more money.
Ashley didn't think their filial piety towards Anthony was purely out of blood ties; it was more about interests, seeing Anthony as a shortcut to the pinnacle of life.
So deep down, she didn't think much of the Hearst family's descendants.
If she hadn't fallen in love with Damian and hadn't irrationally become obsessed with him, she would probably view him the same way.
Ashley didn't smile, her face devoid of warmth, her fierce gaze fixed on him. "To take him away, I only need his permission. His status and titles are all secondary. First, he needs to live with dignity, not be beaten to a bloody pulp."
Ashley wasn't sure if Damian would side with her. If he said he wouldn't go, she would accept it, admit she was being unnecessary and meddlesome, and never act recklessly like a fool again. If he nodded, then tonight she would completely offend the Hearst family.
After all, she was already an outcast of the Hearst family, with nothing to lose. What was there to fear?
Damian grasped her trembling hand. He could feel how much courage it took for Ashley to say those words. How could he let her lose so miserably? "Grandpa, I won't be joining you for dinner."
With that, he held Ashley's hand. "Let's go."
He was injured, but his steps were still steady and composed. The wind blew through his white shirt, and the faint scent of Tahiti lingered in the air.
Ashley, her hand in his, took large strides to keep up. They seemed like lovers in a movie, defying the world to be together, holding each other's hands against all darkness.
Behind them, Anthony's angry shouts and the sound of something breaking echoed, but they didn't look back.
With such determination, they walked through the bustling night of Rochester City.
It wasn't until they got into the car that Ashley's heartbeat began to calm down. She tried to shake off the adrenaline from facing Anthony. "You should sit in the back. Sitting in the front requires a seatbelt, which might hurt your wound. I'll drive."
She instinctively took the driver's seat and looked at Damian in the passenger seat.
Suddenly, Damian leaned over, cupped her face with his large hand, and planted a hot, fierce kiss on her lips. She took a deep breath, smelling his blood, her senses doubly stimulated, her pupils dilating.
Ashley was taken aback by his intense action, her eyes widening.
What was wrong with him? He just survived a disaster and now his animal instincts were kicking in.
The heat faded, leaving her lips numb. "What do you mean by this? Is this Mr. Hearst's way of saying thank you?"
Damian's long, elegant fingers brushed her lips, wiping away their traces. His voice was low and charming. "Do you realize that by doing this today, you've involved yourself in the Hearst family's internal conflicts?"
He was being tactful, but Ashley understood. From now on, the Hearst family would see her as an obstacle to be eliminated quickly.
Nathan's eyes had already said it all. She was a roadblock in their fight for inheritance, whether she intended to be or not.
Moreover, she really did intend to help Damian.
Ashley turned her head, twisting the car key. "Then why did you come with me? If you hadn't, they would have ignored me, and our misunderstanding would have resolved itself."
The engine roared to life, breaking the silence.
Damian's voice remained clear. "I was afraid that if I didn't come out, it would be even harder to see you again."
Her eyes had been so resolute, ready to succeed or die trying. If he hadn't followed her, even a moment's hesitation could have meant losing her forever.
Fortunately, he was confident that he would be able to protect her no matter what unexpected events occurred in the future.
Victor was no match for him.
Ashley opened her mouth, her watery eyes fixed on him.
She knew very well that even if she hadn't intervened, even if she hadn't taken him away so resolutely, Anthony wouldn't have killed his most beloved and proud grandson. But why... why did she still do it?
Was her love for him still so deep, so intense, so uncontrollable?
"Are you done, Mr. Hearst? If you can talk so much nonsense, it means your injuries aren't that serious." Ashley stepped on the gas, speeding into the night.
A smile spread across Damian's lips.
The general surgeon efficiently treated Damian's wounds.
Although the bruises on his back were somewhat gruesome, the doctor said no bones were damaged, and a week of good rest should suffice.
However, the wound on his forehead was more troublesome and needed stitches.
Ashley looked worriedly at Damian's head. The blood had been cleaned, but there was a nasty gash. She reached out her fingers but stopped, afraid of hurting him.
The doctor, seeing her worried expression, reminded her, "Administering anesthesia to the head can affect the nerves. If he can bear it, I wouldn't recommend it."
Ashley blurted out, "Stitching without anesthesia will be excruciating!"
Damian's smile widened again. He grasped Ashley's fingers. "No anesthesia. Just stitch it. I can handle it."
Ashley thought he was crazy. "You're human, not stone. This is flesh and blood. How can you possibly..."
Damian let go of her hand, calmly saying, "You should go out. Come back when it's done."
He was afraid Ashley wouldn't be able to handle seeing the needle and thread go through his flesh.
Ashley grabbed his large hand, exhaling, "I'll stay with you. If you're not afraid of the stitches, why should I be afraid as a bystander? Doctor, please be gentle."
The doctor, seeing their "life and death" love, was both envious and impressed. But he still picked up the needle and thread. "I've seen many loving couples, but you two are quite rare. One is afraid his wife will be scared, the other is afraid her husband will suffer too much."
"You misunderstand. We're not married," Ashley explained.
Damian didn't speak, just gave a bitter smile. "Not yet."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
