Chapter 538 President, Not So Good
Ashley had every reason to believe that someone had posted her new phone number online.
With a splitting headache, Ashley leaned back on a pillow and closed her eyes. "Do you need something from me?"
Esme's anger seemed like it was going to explode the sky. She furiously said, "How could you seduce someone else's boyfriend and act like it's no big deal! Ashley, I really misjudged you!!"
Ashley's headache worsened from Esme's yelling, and she felt nauseous again. "Ms. Bergstrom, I'm not feeling well. Can we talk later when I call you?"
Ashley didn't have much hostility towards Esme and didn't want a direct confrontation.
But Esme was consumed by her anger. "Feeling guilty and trying to buy time to find a remedy, huh? No way. I'm telling you, Ashley, you must show up in front of me within an hour!"
Ashley moved the phone away a bit; she really felt like throwing up. "Sorry, Ms. Bergstrom, my head hurts too much to communicate. I'll contact you tomorrow."
"Today. I want an answer today. You left without a word for two years, why did you come back? And why are you clinging to Hendrix now? You said you didn't want him, that you didn't love him. What's going on now? Did you lose your support and want to regain his sympathy? How shameless can you be?!"
Every word was sharp and piercing, something only said in extreme anger.
Ashley's brain couldn't handle the loud noise and turned into mush. "I'll give you the address, you come here."
Then, she hung up the phone.
She reeked of smoke and looked disheveled, so she went to the bathroom to take a shower, then changed into thick loungewear and slowly dried her hair.
Theo, Faye.
So much information kept replaying, overwhelming her rationality.
"Ashley, where are you!"
Before long, Esme's urgent shouting came from inside the house.
Ashley put down the hairdryer and walked out of the bathroom with her hair down. "You got here fast."
Esme threw down her bag and angrily cursed, "What did you say to him! He doesn't even want to see me!"
Ashley put her hands in the large pockets of her top, looking a bit lazy. "I told him to give up on chasing me and to find a woman to live a good life with. I said you were a good choice."
Esme was stunned.
Hendrix's refusal to see her made her think that Ashley had been stirring up trouble, being ruthless, and she was convinced that Ashley was the instigator.
No, that couldn't be right.
"You two were at Blue Star all night. I don't believe you were just talking and drinking! Do you think I'm an idiot?" Esme's eyes were red, and every word was filled with accusation.
Ashley didn't dislike Esme's bossy attitude. On the contrary, her reaction was what defending love should look like, showing that she cared about Hendrix. "There are no cameras in the private room, so you can only believe what I say. Yes, we were just drinking and talking. I can also tell you that Hendrix still has feelings for me. He's liked me since college and hasn't let go, but I've made my stance clear. I don't like him and could never have a future with him. Also, I've been married and had a child. Even if my relationship with my ex-husband is over, I won't let anyone else into my life. Hendrix has never been my choice, never in my range of potential partners. I've told you this before."
Esme was shocked.
The amount of information was too much for her to process at once.
Ashley took two steps forward, approaching the stunned Esme. "From a certain perspective, Hendrix is a deeply affectionate man. If you're willing to spend time getting him to open up and accept you, then be patient. If you can't stand that he has other thoughts, then kick him to the curb. To be blunt, the person you should be questioning and cursing isn't me, it's him."
Esme's almost explosive anger deflated like a punctured balloon. "If you hadn't shown up, he wouldn't be acting like this."
People instinctively look for something to blame for their failures to maintain their dignity.
Ashley said, "Are you two happy together? You went out of your way to come from Limehof to Rochester City, humbling yourself to work at the Long Group. Has he looked at you differently? You call Hendrix your boyfriend, has he fulfilled his responsibilities and duties as a boyfriend? You know the state of your relationship better than anyone, and it has nothing to do with my presence."
Esme was speechless, her eyes growing redder, tears about to spill out. "Ashley, how can you be so despicable!"
"You scold me just to make yourself feel better. A failed relationship always needs a scapegoat. You can't bear to blame him, so you come to blame me," Ashley smiled, feeling helpless and heartbroken.
She never intended to ruin anyone's happiness or destroy anyone's relationship.
Esme lowered her head, tears of grievance falling, "Why won't he accept me? Why does he prefer you, a divorced woman with a child?"
"Aren't you the same? Knowing his feelings, yet still unwilling to give up."
"You don't understand! I don't care, I'm willing to give more, to love him more."
Ashley took a few tissues and placed them in Esme's trembling hand. "Maybe he feels the same way. In that sense, you two are quite a match."
Esme suddenly felt a bit touched, inexplicably moved by her rival's words.
After a long while, Esme's emotions finally improved a bit. She reluctantly asked, "You were married? Who was your ex-husband?"
At this point, Ashley didn't want to hide it anymore. "You know him, Damian."
"What??" Esme was completely shocked, dumbfounded.
She thought Ashley was just someone Damian played around with! How could she be his ex-wife?? Damian was actually married??
"Maybe Hendrix is unparalleled in your eyes, but you can also think rationally. From all aspects, who is better?"
Esme immediately had an answer. Damian was certainly more powerful and outstanding, but she didn't want to admit it. "You're divorced and still think he's great? You must be crazy."
Ashley said, "Divorce is due to emotional incompatibility, it doesn't mean that person is worthless. If I completely degrade someone I once loved, it indirectly denies my own taste and judgment. I don't want to insult myself."
Esme chuckled, wiping her nose and tears. "Ashley, you're really cunning."
"I'm just telling the truth."
Esme sniffled, "You really don't consider Hendrix?"
"Not at all."
Esme hesitated, "I asked you about his preferences and followed those standards, but he still doesn't like me. I don't know what to do."
For this, Ashley had some experience. "When I was pursuing Damian, I used every trick in the book, being persistent and relentless. If you don't want to give up, keep trying. But let me remind you, a woman doesn't need to depend on love and a man to survive. Leaving him might make you happier, and getting him might not necessarily bring happiness."
Esme shook her head. Just thinking about Hendrix leaving her world made her heartache unbearable. She had tried, but it was too painful. "I can't do it. I really love him. Even if he's cold and unappreciative, as long as he occasionally shows up, has a meal with me, and smiles at me, I feel all the effort is worth it. Ashley, are you mocking me?"
Ashley restrained her expression and coughed, "No, I just see my former self in you."
And then she realized how foolish she had been!
Esme smiled bitterly, "But you succeeded. You even had a child with Damian."
Ashley smiled, not wanting to preach too much, but instead said straightforwardly, "I wish you success too. And I don't think pursuing Hendrix is harder than winning over Damian."
Hearing this, Esme burst into laughter, "You're right, I feel confident again."
Esme came with a combative attitude, but after a few words, she felt grateful and deeply admired Ashley.
She was convinced.
"I'm leaving, Ashley. I hope you find someone better than Damian, though it's a tall order, but I wish you the best!"
Ashley smiled and didn't see her out, just watched Esme's light steps disappear outside the door.
Are women all so easy to deceive and placate? One moment furious enough to kill, the next, gentle as a kitten with a little coaxing.
Or was it that when women fall in love, they all lost their wits?
As she was thinking, a tall figure approached outside the door, walking briskly with a strong presence.
Ashley smiled, "You all know my whereabouts, huh?"
Thomas, feeling a bit embarrassed, said, "No, no, I've come several times, finally caught you at home."
Ashley felt quite guilty for not coming home last night and leaving Natalia with Damian. "I'll go over right away. How's Natalia today?"
Thomas replied, "Natalia is fine, but..."
"But what?"
"Mr. Hearst is not doing well."
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