Chapter 539 Damian Exposes Family Scandal
Damian's mood had nothing to do with her, and Ashley didn't want to ask why.
She dragged her somewhat unsteady steps and walked into Damian's luxurious and outrageously spacious villa.
Her steps were unsteady, and the cobblestone path was driving her crazy.
Finally, she walked into the hall and saw Natalia leaning her head against Damian.
Damian was holding an encyclopedia, introducing various plants to Natalia.
For some reason, Ashley felt a bit touched.
She could never have imagined Damian interacting with a child, but now the scene was unfolding before her eyes, so real yet so fragile.
Didn't Thomas say Damian wasn't doing well?
What's wrong with him?
"Auntie!"
Natalia saw Ashley return, happily left her chair, ran over, wrapped her thin arms around her, and looked up with eyes full of joy.
Ashley's guilt magnified infinitely. She would never again stay out all night for any reason. As Natalia's only close relative, she needed to give her enough security, not leave her to others.
"I had something to do last night and couldn't come back. Did you wait long, Natalia?"
Natalia nodded and then shook her head, "A little, but Uncle played with me, read me a bedtime story, stayed with me for a long time. Uncle said you couldn't come back because of something important, not on purpose, and that I would see you today. Uncle didn't lie to me."
Ashley glanced at Damian. She found it hard to believe these words came from him.
His sharp tongue usually said things that could choke people.
With a stiff tongue, Ashley said, "Sorry for the trouble."
Damian said, "Natalia is very good, not troublesome."
His tone was very doting, as if he could spoil her like his own daughter.
Ashley felt awkward.
Moments later, Jasper came to take Natalia outside to play.
Ashley sensed that serious matters were about to be discussed.
Sure enough, Damian, holding a teacup, said, "Dorian's financing failed. The person in charge, Matt, had a car accident, caused by the Volcano."
Hearing the answer, Ashley wasn't surprised. It seemed all the bad luck recently was due to Volcano's actions. What did they ultimately want by being so persistent?
"Dorian said Matt is still in the ICU, and it's uncertain if he'll survive. The driver died, leaving no evidence. We suspect the driver was killed because his injuries weren't fatal. It seems Volcano is very unscrupulous and has no limits."
That's the scary thing about bad people; they never follow principles or rules. They use any means to get what they want, regardless of casualties.
Damian pushed the water cup towards Ashley.
Ashley was stunned.
This small gesture seemed strange coming from Damian, but he did it very naturally.
She picked it up, took a couple of sips, and then heard Damian say, "Have you ever doubted Chad's identity?"
"You mean he's not Volcano's lawyer? I suspected at first, so I had someone check his academic records. The files are real, but for some reason, he feels very strange to me, like his lawyer identity doesn't match him."
It seemed Chad had more power and a higher position.
He acted very freely, as if he held absolute control. He could book a restaurant, come and go as he pleased, and speak arrogantly.
Moreover, since he always mentioned his boss and said his boss wanted to battle Damian, would his boss allow him to be so arrogant?
Logically, if they wanted to humiliate her, the boss should come forward.
Ashley couldn't figure out this logic.
Damian said, "After repeated investigations and tracking, we suspect Chad is the founder of Volcano, the mastermind behind everything. But he is very cautious, leaving no traces. Even if we find clues, his face is covered, or the surveillance is erased. I had a video call with him once; he wore a mask and disguised his voice. All these make it very difficult to investigate his true identity."
Ashley listened carefully to his detailed explanation, feeling slightly moved. "If that's the case, how did you determine it's him?"
"Remember Sherlock Holmes' famous quote?"
Ashley thought for a moment, "When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
Damian nodded, "Yes, eliminate all impossibilities, and whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
Thomas didn't dare interrupt, silently refilling their cups.
Ashley said, "Then what? What's your next step?"
"We have an important person in his hands. Until we ensure her safe return, we can't eliminate him completely. But I've already stationed people at the Volcano building to capture Chad and exchange hostages."
Thomas glanced at Damian, unable to believe he would tell Ashley such important matters.
Ashley didn't understand their complex plans. Since Damian had someone important with Chad, caution was necessary, "It sounds very risky."
Damian hesitated for a moment, then chose to be honest, "I suspect Chad has a closer relationship with my father, but I can't prove it yet."
Ashley's eyes sparkled, a thought popped up, "Could he be an illegitimate child or something?"
But Chad didn't look like Bryan.
Such a family scandal could have been kept secret, but to let Ashley know the whole truth and stand with him, Damian revealed everything, "My father had many relationships when he was young, with women who bore him children. He never acknowledged any woman, and might have taken extreme measures to sever ties, causing irreparable harm. Naturally, this could provoke revenge. If Chad is my father's illegitimate child, his actions would be understandable."
Ashley wondered if the alcohol was still affecting her, making her dizzy.
Suddenly suspecting Chad's identity, hearing Bryan's affairs, and connecting unrelated people was too much!
Moreover, why was Damian so honest? It felt like he was showing her everything.
As if she were on his side, fighting alongside him.
Or was he implying that the Astor Group's bankruptcy and all the Astor family's tragedies were caused by Chad, and she should hate Chad, while Damian, like her, was a victim?
Is that what he meant?
She already knew that, no need for Damian to emphasize.
Ashley wanted to draw a clear line, honestly saying, "Thank you, Mr. Hearst, for telling me the truth. I'll be wary of Chad and not become his leverage against KM. Also, if I get captured, I hope Mr. Hearst won't consider my life or death and do what needs to be done." Because she didn't want to owe anyone.
Damian frowned slightly, lowering the room's temperature with a look, making the living room instantly cold.
Thomas tightly closed his mouth, trying to breathe less.
Mrs. Hearst's words were shocking!
But Damian didn't get angry. He suppressed his emotions, nodded, and said, "I won't let that happen. Just reminding you not to be deceived by Chad. He's ruthless and will do anything to get revenge on me. Also, even if something happens to you, I won't stand by. It's my fault you're suffering for the Hearst family and KM. I couldn't save the Astor Group in time, but in the future, I'll save you at any cost."
Save you at any cost.
He said it solemnly.
It carried weight.
Ashley's eyes lowered, her thick lashes hiding the ripples inside.
This damn warmth, could it be touching?
What are you touched by! The Hearst family harmed you; even if they go bankrupt saving you, they deserve it!
Adjusting her mood, Ashley looked up again, neither humble nor arrogant, "There's one more thing I want to confirm."
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