Chapter 48 Waiting for the New Bride
He had used those utensils, which were slightly moist—it could be from the food, but saliva was unlikely. Ashley knew all too well Damian's impeccable table manners, worthy of a fine dining experience.
Yet, suddenly she felt nauseated, the kind born of humiliation and a trampled dignity.
Ashley's grip tightened around her belly, veins standing out on the back of her tense hand. She maintained a veneer of calm on her face to mask the anger brewing inside. "The meals prepared for Damian are not meant for an outsider like me. You should enjoy your meal at your own leisure. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave so as not to disturb you."
Damian's eyebrows lifted slightly—Ashley's resilience surprised him. No outbursts, no loss of control; even her anger was articulated with propriety.
Had her innocence from years past not been an act?
As Ashley made to stand up and grab her bag, Damian's voice was measured, "Sit down. Who said you could leave?"
Ashley paused, her voice steady but laced with finality, "I've said all there is to say. The rest needs to be handled in my office. Anything else you wish to discuss?"
There was something about her steadfast professionalism that suddenly sparked a desire in him to challenge, to soften her resolve, to confront her defiance. "Who are you trying to impress with that stern act? You're no actress."
"Mr. Hearst always reminds me not to confuse our professional roles, so let me remind you," Ashley retorted, her gaze unwavering. "I am your attorney, not your secretary or your personal assistant. You have no right to demand work updates outside of office hours. My silence is out of respect, not submission."
In her opinion, lunchtime was not the time for business, and she felt no guilt about it.
Damian relished the idea of a defiant little cat showing its teeth, curious to see if it could really scratch. "I've offered you ten thousand. Not enough? With the grand speech you've given, Ashley, do you think that's too low a price for a business lunch with you? How much do you want?"
Always with the money, that was his way to belittle her, pinning down her vulnerability and going right for it.
A sting like a bee trailed through Ashley's heart, her internal turmoil manageable, but her eyes betraying her as tears threatened. She turned away, pretending to be interested in the view outside the window. "In a world where everything has a price tag, if you're going to be so generous, Mr. Hearst, I won't hold back. Everyone's time is valuable. I don't ask for much, $10,000,000, just fair compensation for my work."
"Ha!" Damian scoffed, putting down his fork. His gaze captured Ashley in profile, bathed in sunlight that turned her skin to a soft glow, her eyelashes casting delicate shadows. From her forehead to the tip of her nose, to the lobe of her ear, she radiated a gentle luminescence.
In the next moment, he looked away, a thought crossing his mind: The more beautiful the woman, the more complex.
"Ten million, enough to buy you," he said coolly.
"Mr. Hearst, you seem to have a rather flawed understanding of professional ethics. Such transactions are not permissible."
"What's not permissible if it's consensual?"
"I'm not consenting to it."
Before Damian could respond, the office door swung open from the outside.
"Hey, Damian."
Trinity struggled in with some food. It seemed like a lot for one person, highlighting her slim frame.
Damian’s brow furrowed as he saw Trinity walk in, then addressed Thomas, who was standing beside her, "What's this about?"
Thomas mentally shrugged. Apparently, the receptionist had let her through without an appointment, assuming she was delivering a special order for the CEO.
The receptionist must have recognized Trinity from previous deliveries and assumed it was okay to let her through without notice, carrying a lunch that seemed specially prepared, so she was let in without question.
Thomas was already too late to intercept; he had rushed to the CEO's office as soon as he heard, but Trinity was already there, presenting the food.
But Thomas, the CEO's assistant, who'd let his focus drift from his work, felt obliged to accept the consequences. "I'm sorry. You should've been informed; this oversight is on me."
Trinity was skilled at making a good impression. Why wouldn't she be, especially if it meant getting closer to those important ones around Damian?
"It's not his fault. I just took the initiative, assuming it would be fine," she said, quickly smoothing over the situation. "I won't do it again without checking first. I just thought you might be too busy to eat, so I brought you something."
As Trinity spoke, she looked around the office, noting its modern style, "This place has such a great vibe, so different from the classic but old fashioned office of my dad."
Damian let her set up the food, an act that to any observer would seem overly familiar, a privilege that only a Mrs. Hearst might enjoy.
Thomas glanced at Ashley. They both seemed out of place in this scenario.
Ashley, watching the scene unfold, seemed to think Damian was oblivious to the difference between genuine affection and flattery.
"Look at me, getting distracted by the decor, I almost forgot my purpose here," Trinity laughed, changing the subject smoothly. She noticed the uneaten food on the desk but didn't comment as she made room for her dishes. "I checked with your assistant about your preferences. You like light meals, right? So, I included some seafood salad, a soup, and a dessert I hope you'll enjoy."
Whether Trinity was truly talented or just had a good sense of presentation, the food looked appealing; Ashley had to admit she wouldn't have been able to put in the same effort.
Two sets of silverware were neatly arranged next to the plates. Trinity, eager for feedback, presented the food. "Damian, please try it."
Ashley's expression barely changed as she turned back to the window.
Damian picked up a fork, "You prepared all of this?" His tone was appreciative.
Trinity nodded modestly, "I've learned some. Even my Dad who has a picky taste admires my cooking. Give it a taste and let me know if it's to your liking. If it is, I can make sure to include these in your orders more often."
Damian sampled the food. "It's not often you find someone who knows their way around a kitchen, especially for some wealthy ladies. Most don’t even know how to make pancakes."
Ashley felt a twinge of irony at the mention of making pancakes. In the early days of her marriage with Damian, she had tried to impress him with homemade treats, but her baking attempts usually ended with a smoke-filled kitchen. The pancake she made, as a final attempt, turned black on both sides.
Standing next to Trinity, Ashley felt a bit inadequate but brushed off the feeling. "I've learned a thing or two about cooking myself now," she mused internally.
Trinity beamed with pride, "Growing up, my parents always said to me and my brother, not to rely solely on our current success, but to be prepared for any situation. I learned to be hands-on with everything. I even took some courses on handiwork. I can bring you one as a gift next time," she was assessing Damian's reaction carefully.
"Interesting," Damian responded noncommittally.
A flash of satisfaction crossed her face, "So, how is it? To your liking?"
"It's quite good," Damian signaled to Thomas. "She went out of her way today. You should try some."
Thomas, taken aback, hesitated. "Me?"
Damian prompted, "Didn't you miss lunch too?"
A direct invitation from the CEO was not to be ignored. Thomas offered Trinity a polite smile, "Miss Bezos."
"Please, have some," Trinity encouraged warmly, "There's plenty, and it would be a shame to let it go to waste. Help yourself."
Thomas, feeling as awkward as if he were navigating a minefield, reluctantly took the fork Damian had used. "Thank you. It's an honor to share a meal with Mr. Hearst."
"You've been a reliable part of the team for years. It's appreciated," Trinity said, acknowledging his loyalty.
Ashley watched from the sidelines, feeling as if she were in a different world from this display of workplace camaraderie. The name "Trinity" echoed in her mind, a stark reminder of her own professional journey. In all her time working with Damian, he had never addressed her with such casual familiarity.
The trio ate with the quiet efficiency of professionals, the clink of silverware barely audible, yet the aroma of the food filled the room.
After a few bites, Damian set his fork down.
"Is everything alright?" Trinity asked with a hint of concern.
"I'm satisfied, thank you," Damian replied, his tone neutral, giving nothing away.
Despite the tension, Ashley approached with a determined look. "Mr. Hearst, we need to discuss some matters privately."
