Chapter 530 It's Not About Compatibility, It's About Love
Recognizing the person in the surveillance footage led to two conclusions.
First, Hannibal did not meet the founder but met with his lawyer, Chad.
Second, Chad is that person.
Which inference is true?
It seems like another mystery, but a multiple-choice question is much easier.
Damian asked, "Where is Chad?"
"He went back to Evercrest City."
Damian was currently unable to go to Evercrest City, and even if he could, he didn't want to meet Chad in his current state, so he said, "Find a way to bring him back."
"Yes!"
Two weeks passed quickly. Besides accompanying Natalia to her medical appointments, Ashley also helped Sean, making her days fulfilling and keeping her from overthinking.
However, as the weather got colder, Ashley's newly formed idea of morning runs was suppressed again. But after several incidents involving physical confrontations, she was determined to stay fit and went to the villa's gym every day to run and work out.
While others worked out to lose weight and shape their bodies, she did it purely for health and strength.
Natalia's condition showed slight improvement, and the doctor said that blood transfusions could be reduced to once a week.
This was a significant progress.
She shared the news with Dorian and Blair, who were overjoyed. "Ashley, you're amazing! You're our lucky star!"
Blair was so excited that she couldn't find the right words to express her feelings. She was genuinely happy and wanted to come back immediately.
Ashley looked at the slightly chubby Blair on the screen, "How are the prenatal checkup results? Is the baby healthy?"
"It's still too small. We did some tests, but more detailed ones will have to wait until it's bigger."
After some small talk, Ashley reminded, "Dorian, volcano is targeting KM. We've been used once, and it's hard to say it won't happen again. You must be extra cautious. Also, your company is just starting and can't withstand much pressure. Adjust promptly if things go wrong to avoid being passive."
Dorian smiled broadly, "I have some good news that I haven't told you yet, just in case it didn't work out and disappointed you. We secured angel round funding, and the amount is more than we expected."
Ashley was very surprised, "So quickly??"
Raising funds and going public is a long and winding process, usually involving many setbacks and rejections. Is Dorian that capable?
Dorian said, "A joint venture in Sylvania happened to be interested in our project. After reviewing our proposal, they decided to invest. Next, we need to integrate resources for Series A funding, hoping to go public within two years."
Going public is a beautiful yet challenging vision.
There are hundreds of thousands of startups, but only a few go public.
Ashley didn't want to dampen Dorian's enthusiasm, so she clenched her fist in encouragement, "Dorian, the future of the Astor Group is in your hands. I'm looking forward to getting dividends and becoming a wealthy woman!"
Blair laughed, "When we go public, you'll be a shareholder!"
"No thanks, I don't know how to do business. I'd end up losing money."
Laughter continued on the other end.
Afterward, Ashley video-called Scarlett.
Living with Happy, she wasn't too lonely and was in good spirits.
When Happy saw Ashley, a smile spread across his small face, "Mommy."
In a sweet childlike voice, it melted Ashley's heart.
She missed Happy so much and wanted to hug him.
"Baby, you've grown taller!"
Happy inherited Damian's height genes, and even at a young age, he had perfectly proportioned long legs, making him taller than his peers.
Especially his little face, which was a spitting image of Damian.
After a few casual words, the call was handed over to Todd.
"Dad, I know everything now. The reason for the Astor Group's bankruptcy was deliberate sabotage. Many forces are investigating the truth, and I believe the day will come when everything is revealed."
Five years of difficult life overseas had aged Todd significantly, with gray hair and noticeable lines on his face.
Todd nodded frequently, "No rush, we'll wait for that day."
Scarlett couldn't wait to say, "Ashley, don't overwork yourself. Hire a nanny to cook and do housework for you. With your cooking skills, can you eat well?"
Ashley laughed, "Mom, I'm sick of my cooking. You're right, I'll hire a nanny."
She could tolerate it herself, but she couldn't let Natalia keep eating unappetizing food.
With that decision, Ashley went to a domestic service company to hire someone.
At the domestic service company, as she stepped out of the car, Ashley saw a familiar face.
"Ms. Long?"
Linda, dressed in a dark brown fur coat, took off her sunglasses and confirmed several times, "Ms. Astor? You're back?"
Since they had met, the two found a nearby café.
Ashley took a sip of her hot latte. "Ms. Long, you still have the same energy as before."
After leaving Infinity Enterprises Group, Linda returned to work at her family business and is now the manager of the Long Group. There was no need to mention the past; smart people don't expose old wounds.
She smiled lightly, "I heard you went abroad to develop your career. I thought you wouldn't come back."
Ashley said, "Rochester City is my home, this is my country, how could I not come back?"
Linda forced a smile, "In the days right after you left, Hendrix was completely out of sorts."
Ashley asked, "Is Mr. Long married?"
"Married?" Linda seemed to be hearing a joke, "Mrs. Bergstrom's daughter clings to him quite tightly, but he's not interested, barely pays her any attention. By the way, haven't you two been in touch these past two years?"
Ashley shook her head.
Without the superior-subordinate relationship and not wanting to get too entangled with him, it was natural to lose contact after changing her number.
Hendrix must have sensed her intention and didn't ask Harold for her new number.
Relationships between people are subtle; one deliberately distances, the other consciously avoids, and they drift apart.
Linda looked at her still beautiful face, unable to pinpoint what was different, but felt that a lot had happened to her in the past two years. "Do you remember the person who scratched your car back then?"
Ashley raised an eyebrow, "Don't tell me it was you."
Linda, seeing that she had been seen through, didn't show any awkwardness and nodded, "It was me. When I made the payment, I found out the car owner was you. My honest nephew liked you, so I wanted to help you two meet. Actually, Hendrix isn't as promiscuous as people say. The person he's always liked is you."
Ashley listened silently to her reminiscing about the past, occasionally taking a sip of coffee.
Linda said that when Hendrix was in college, one day he excitedly told her that he had fallen in love at first sight with a freshman at Rochester City University and wanted to pursue her and marry her. Later, for some reason, he became very depressed and often got drunk at night.
She couldn't stand it anymore and forcibly broke into his room, loudly scolding him for being so pathetic over a woman.
Hendrix, with a flushed face, told her, "Linda, she's in a relationship, she has a boyfriend. My heart hurts so much, please don't scold me."
Everyone thought Hendrix was just young and impulsive, and that he would get over it after a while. But who knew, he couldn't let it go for a long time and eventually chose to study abroad.
Years later, Linda heard Hendrix excitedly announce again that he had met another girl he liked, and she was also in Sylvania.
Only then did Linda believe that Hendrix wasn't just interested for a moment; he had remembered her deeply for three years.
Later, he inexplicably started dating a girl named Lynn. His explanation to Linda was, "Linda, I'm too tired of waiting. No one is with me through this, and I'm afraid I can't hold on. The first time I saw Lynn, her profile looked a lot like Ashley's. I almost thought she was Ashley's shadow. I admit I was cowardly, finding a substitute to deceive myself."
It was then that Linda learned the girl Hendrix liked was named Ashley.
The same Ashley who was the daughter of Todd, who had gone bankrupt and left the country.
She secretly felt relieved that Hendrix hadn't dated Ashley; otherwise, he would have surely made the Long family put up a large sum of money to save the Astor Group. Such a big hole would have dragged down the Long Group.
And Hendrix might not know that his father, Brian, once had a passionate relationship with Ashley's mother.
After recounting the past, a faint bitterness appeared on Linda's weathered face, "Brian and your mother were not meant to be, and Hendrix also couldn't walk into marriage with you. Maybe the men of the Long family are just not worthy."
Anyone hearing such a heart-wrenching past would find it hard to remain calm.
Ashley shook her head, using a serene smile to mask the turmoil inside, "In relationships, it's not about being worthy or not, it's about love or not."
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