Chapter 526 Spoiling
Rochester City's most luxurious hotel, penthouse suite.
"You guess, how long will it take Damian to find me here?" Chad looked at the bustling night view of Rochester City, smiling coldly.
April never doubted Damian's abilities. He had been in a car accident, leaving his legs paralyzed, but he still possessed an extraordinary intellect. "He seems to know we used his money to buy Nova. They've attacked Nova's database, and it was brutal. We had to employ top engineers just to barely fend off their assault. They probably know everything they wanted to know. Also, the Rochester City branch has uncovered quite a few issues."
Chad squinted coldly. "The branch probably can't be saved. No matter, if it's lost, it's lost. Consider it tuition fees."
These years had been smooth for him, stepping on the shoulders of the Astor Group and exploiting Damian's emotional pain, it was exhilarating.
Now, taking a few hits and detours wasn't a bad thing. It reminded him that life is exciting because of its ups and downs.
April said, "You sent Bryan the photos, and he didn't react. Should we continue?"
Chad's slender fingers brushed his lips, a habit when he was thinking. "No reaction? He's almost memorized that virtual number backward and has bodyguards protecting him 24/7, afraid of being ambushed. How did such a coward dare to mess with so many women before?"
"Because most women are hopeless romantics, easy to deceive and coax. After sleeping with them, they think it's forever."
Chad patted his pocket, found a cigarette, and held it without lighting it. "What about you? Besides this, haven't you thought about finding a man?"
"Are you joking? It's not funny at all."
"Before meeting Ashley, I also thought women were uninteresting. Similar body structures, not much difference in temper. But she's fascinating, so much so that I want to get her by any means necessary!"
April couldn't stand it and sneered at him. "You're sick. A woman who's lost a child and had another, used by others, and you still want her."
"You don't understand. Ashley is... how to say it, a bit annoying when you're with her, but you miss her terribly when she's gone."
"Good luck, don't let her ruin your big plans."
"KM, I must have it!"
"That's good. As for the rest, do as you please."
After hanging up, Chad looked up at the sky alone.
No, being messed up by Damian like this, he had to find Ashley for some comfort.
Meanwhile.
Ashley received a call at nine in the evening, after putting Natalia to sleep, and sitting in the study reading documents.
The materials Sean gave her were very complex and lengthy. Although her comprehension was on par, reading too much text made her eyes tired.
Chad's call was like adding fuel to the fire.
"What do you want?" Ashley's tone was not good.
Chad, however, smiled. "I miss you."
Ashley frowned. "Speak in plain language."
"Am I not speaking human language? Then how do you understand?"
"If you understand a dog's bark, does that make you a dog?"
Chad was choked. "I don't understand dog barks."
"Really? You're more suited to being bitten by a dog."
Chad was even more choked, feeling utterly frustrated. "Ashley, why are you so angry? I just wanted to chat with you, hear your voice. Why are you scolding me?"
Ashley rubbed her forehead, her eyes still on the screen. "I'm very busy. If you have nothing important, hang up."
"Let's have dinner tomorrow."
Ashley said, "Do you have a special hobby of getting wine thrown at you?"
"If it's you, I don't mind how many times."
"No time."
"Volcano lost the lawsuit and has to pay a huge compensation. The Rochester City branch is implicated, under investigation, and might be shut down. I'm alone in a foreign place, facing career setbacks, physically and mentally exhausted. As the only person I know, can't you show some sympathy?"
Ashley hadn't paid much attention to the news, but she had heard a bit about such a big event. KM won decisively this time.
"Are you a child in need of a mother's love? Wanting a woman to sympathize with you."
"I lost my mom when I was very young, never had a chance for motherly love."
Ashley was momentarily speechless, feeling a bit guilty for unintentionally offending him. "Sorry, I didn't know."
"An apology should be sincere. Tomorrow night at seven, the usual place."
With that, Chad hung up.
Ashley looked at the screen, frowning.
She couldn't read anymore, turned off the computer, and went to bed.
Lying down, Ashley closed her eyes but couldn't sleep.
Maybe it was the blue light exposure before bed affecting her melatonin production, or perhaps Chad's interference made her think of KM and Damian.
He used to be so high and mighty, forcing others to look up to him with his natural height advantage.
After returning, she remembered Damian always sitting there leisurely, looking up at others when speaking.
His gaze was still cold and arrogant, but less aggressive.
Damn it, why was she thinking about this?
The next morning, Ashley got up early, listening to the birds outside, feeling an urge to go for a morning run.
She put on long-sleeved and long-pants sportswear and jogged along the mountain path.
Her stamina wasn't great, so she ran slowly, but soon she saw the elegant white villa.
The quiet villa had its doors closed, like a giant beast sleeping in the morning mist.
Had Damian given up his morning run habit?
In the afternoon, Ashley took Natalia to get her medicine.
Martin knew about Natalia fainting and having a nosebleed and was adjusting the prescription.
Damian asked, "Why did she faint?"
His concerned look was as if his child were sick.
Ashley didn't want to reject his kindness and explained, "She rarely ran or jumped before, and this time she played a bit too much."
Damian reached out, and Natalia obediently walked over. He rubbed her little head with his big hand, his eyes showing a hint of warmth. "Did you hurt yourself?"
Natalia shook her head. "No."
Seeing her stubborn little eyes, Damian thought of Ashley. "If it hurts, you should say it hurts. Don't hold it in. It's okay to show weakness sometimes, understand?"
Showing weakness was something Natalia didn't quite understand, but she did understand that if it hurt, she should say so. She nodded and said softly, "It hurts a little."
She didn't like to say words like hurt, bitter, or afraid because every time she did, her family's expressions would become very sad. She didn't want her loved ones to be unhappy because of a few words from her.
But with Damian, she seemed to find the courage to express herself truthfully.
Damian's lips curved slightly, and he touched her knee. "Is it here?"
"Yes."
"Don't want Ashley to know, right?"
Natalia pursed her lips.
Damian's breath hitched, feeling sorry for the "daughter" who was so understanding. "If you feel uncomfortable in the future, tell me. I won't tell Ashley."
It seemed like they had reached some secret agreement, and their relationship became very close.
Natalia tilted her head, puzzled. "Uncle, why are you so good to me? Mom said only very close people would be so good to us."
Damian's warm hand brushed her little cheek, smiling. "I am someone very close to you."
Natalia stared blankly at Damian's smile.
She was very afraid of Damian. Whenever he spoke with a stern face, she didn't dare to breathe loudly. But when he smiled, the whole world suddenly became beautiful and warm.
Natalia raised her little face and showed him her small white teeth.
Damian's long fingers hesitated for a moment, then he gently tapped the little girl's nose.
Ashley was stunned.
Was that Damian? He had such a warm smile? He doted on Natalia by tapping her nose??
She didn't hear what they were saying, but just watching the scene was shocking enough.
Could it be that Damian had investigated Natalia's identity, saw the fake identification she left, and thought Natalia was his daughter?
GOD! Could it be that dramatic?!
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
