Chapter 541 Heard Through the Door
Ashley couldn't see Damian's reaction, and just listening to Nicole's words made her head spin.
"Damian had an accident? Jessica took care of him for a long time?"
"How could Anthony, that cunning businessman, listen to Jessica?"
"Who is Doyle? How come I've never heard of Damian having a third uncle?"
"Evelina and Nathan both call Damian their second brother because Victor is a bit older. Isn't he the eldest grandson?"
"The Hearst family's relationships are too complicated."
After a long time, she heard Damian's response, "I was married once, and there won't be a second time unless we reconcile."
Ashley couldn't see it, but when Damian said the last few words, he glanced tenderly towards the door.
As soon as Nicole heard him mention his previous marriage, she got furious, "Reconcile?? You're still thinking about Ashley?! The Astor Group hasn't caused enough trouble for KM? Back then, they suddenly took away so many years of hard work, and the KM Group was plunged into scandal, with banks demanding repayment and shareholders causing trouble. You bore all the pressure, working tirelessly for days to turn things around. The Astor Group almost ruined you! And you're still thinking about her! Also, because Todd didn't repay his debts, we were implicated, and several departments at KM were under review for three months. The stock market was sluggish, and we were almost taken advantage of. Have you forgotten all that?"
Ashley listened silently to Nicole's complaints, feeling a mix of emotions.
Volcano's scheme indeed killed two birds with one stone, bringing down the Astor Group and tarnishing KM, reaping the benefits.
The Astor Group and KM completely broke off, and her marriage with Damian was shattered.
Only Chad and his people watched everything with a sneer, perhaps even letting out ghostly laughs.
Damian said, "The theft of KM's funds was done by someone else, not the Astor Group. The real culprit will soon surface, and I will give Grandpa and the board a satisfactory explanation."
Nicole clearly didn't believe it. Damian would say anything to defend Ashley. Was he trying to infuriate her?
Unable to attack directly, Nicole softened her tone and said gently, "Fine, let's take a step back. We accept her, just like we allowed you to marry her back then. But what about her? Will she come back to you? Ashley is not a fool or a puppet. After going through so much, she can't possibly reconcile with you. KM suffered significant losses, but the Astor Group also went bankrupt, and the whole family is hiding overseas. And..."
Nicole quickly realized she had said too much and changed the subject, "I heard from your grandfather's servant that after Ashley returned to the country, she went back with you once, and she threw water on you, and your grandfather hit her with an ashtray. The relationship is already broken. How can you be a family again?"
Facing his mother's outburst, Damian felt cold and unfamiliar. He looked at Nicole's luxurious attire and impeccable makeup, "Mom, do you remember how you treated her before?"
Nicole was momentarily speechless but quickly regained her maternal authority, "A woman who tried so hard to cling to us, of course, I had to discipline her. Should I have let her do as she pleased? And how I treated her was with your tacit approval. I never saw you defend her once."
Nicole's words were blunt and harsh, but to Damian, each word was a stinging slap and a heavy shackle.
In essence, Nicole's domineering attitude towards Ashley was all due to his inaction. If he had stood up for her, Nicole would have spared Ashley for his sake.
Ultimately, it was his failure that left Ashley isolated and helpless in the Hearst family.
That young, innocent girl, perhaps, gradually lost her passion in the daily cold violence.
He was the biggest jerk, the unforgivable culprit.
Seeing Damian's defeated expression, Nicole felt more confident, "Ashley is in the past. All grievances are written off. From now on, live well with Jessica and have a child soon. If it's a boy, your grandfather can rest in peace."
Ashley's nose felt a bit sour.
It wasn't heartbreak, but bitterness.
She felt sorrow for the years of emotions she had invested and for her foolishness.
"I won't marry Jessica, absolutely not."
Damian didn't explain much, but his words were firm.
Nicole was furious, "Do you have to force me? Do you want me to die in front of you before you agree?"
Damian pushed Nicole's hand away and said each word clearly, "Don't use these threats on me, or I'll immediately sell all my shares. It's you who care about the inheritance, not me."
"You're crazy?! You..." Nicole felt dizzy, holding her head and sighing heavily, her figure trembling, "You're killing me! Bryan's philandering made me suffer for half my life, and my only son is unfilial. I might as well die and join Faye!"
"Mom!"
Damian tightly grasped Nicole's wrist, "Thomas, help her!"
After a long while, Nicole finally calmed down and then said firmly, "Fine, you don't want to marry Jessica, I won't force you, but we've decided on this daughter-in-law. She'll move in with you tomorrow."
Damian was not polite, "Are you sure you want to ruin Jessica? As soon as she steps into this house as my fiancée, Tyrell and the Baldwin family's businesses in Rochester City will be finished. I mean it."
Intimidated by Damian's gaze, Nicole didn't dare to take the risk.
Damian still had some fear of her, but he might not have feelings for Jessica.
Nicole finally issued an ultimatum, "In any case, your relationship with Ashley is over and cannot be restored! As long as I'm alive, she won't enter the Hearst family. You have to choose between her and your mother who gave birth to you and raised you."
Thomas quickly glanced at the bedroom door.
God, Mrs. Hearst must have heard every word of their argument. How painful must it be?
Finally, it was quiet outside.
A fierce argument between mother and son had come to an end.
Ashley took several deep breaths, trying to digest the overwhelming information.
If she had known it would be so embarrassing, she wouldn't have shown up today.
Damian calmly said, "You can come out now."
Ashley walked out of the bedroom, having been so focused on their argument that she only now noticed how empty Damian's bedroom was, with no signs of life.
Damian immediately noticed her discomfort and slightly moved his lips, "Did you hear everything?"
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop; you were speaking very loudly," Ashley explained.
Damian didn't mind and patiently said, "I won't marry Jessica. My mom only represents her personal stance and can't control my marriage."
Ashley said indifferently, "That's your private life; you don't need to explain it."
She was already frustrated.
Why did Jessica's version of events seem so different from Damian's behavior?
Didn't Jessica even have the right to check his phone?
Who was acting?
Damian said, "It's necessary to clarify. I don't want you to misunderstand my relationship with Jessica. No matter what you've heard or seen, if I didn't personally confirm it, it doesn't count."
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