Chapter 542 Damian said, "I can be a slave to my wife."
Ashley stopped talking.
"That was a very scummy thing to say."
Damian continued, "My grandfather has dementia and was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease last year. His memory is now very confused, and he often can't remember anyone except for Jessica, whom he trusts completely. So my mom wants us to get married as soon as possible to control my grandfather and seize the inheritance of KM. You just heard about the Hearst family's relationships; they're more complicated than you know. My third uncle, Everett Hearst, who has never appeared in public, is my grandfather's illegitimate son. His son, Doyle, is the eldest grandson, and now the whole family is in Europe. I can responsibly tell you that, whether openly or secretly, everyone is eyeing the chairman's position. This is the truth about the Hearst family. There are very few genuine family reunions; it's all about mutual exploitation and scheming."
He spoke with complete honesty, without holding back.
Like peeling an onion, he revealed his inner helplessness layer by layer.
Ashley reluctantly admitted that she felt a bit of sympathy and a bit of heartache.
And then, a little bit of being moved.
Seeing her complex emotions, Damian said seriously, "I want to apologize to you. In the past, I didn't protect you well, and you suffered a lot in the Hearst family, especially from my mother, who treated you harshly. I don't ask for your forgiveness; I just hope you feel a bit better."
This apology came too late.
If it had been in the past, she would have cried her heart out and run into his arms.
But today?
The pain had long been eroded by time, and she felt nothing.
Ashley shook her head, "I forgive you because I no longer care about the past and don't want to dwell on it. Nicole was right; there's no way we can get back together. If you're refusing to marry Jessica because of me, you don't have to. I won't reconcile with you."
Thomas secretly wiped away tears in his heart. Oh God, when did Damian ever apologize so humbly? Even after going this far, Mrs. Hearst still wouldn't accept it. Is there any hope left?
Damian looked at her, feeling a dull ache in his chest.
Nicole's sharp words were nothing compared to Ashley's gentle ones.
No reconciliation.
Was she determined to cut ties with him completely?
But he hadn't given up yet, so she couldn't just walk out of his world.
Hiding all his emotions, Damian carefully said, "It's not for you. Even if I get married, it will only be to someone I love."
Was it necessary to repeatedly emphasize his attitude towards Jessica?
After all, she had taken care of him for a long time, hadn't she?
Cold-blooded.
Ashley suddenly smiled faintly, "This might be an inappropriate thing to say, but I really want to say it."
Damian raised an eyebrow, "What?"
Ashley said, "Nicole is so strong-willed, yet you haven't been tamed into a child who only knows his mother's love. That's impressive."
Thomas was stunned for a second, then smiled.
Could it be? Was Ashley joking with Damian? How heartwarming.
It seemed that reconciliation wasn't so far-fetched after all!
Damian also joked, "Being loved by my mother is hopeless in this life, but I might end up being a slave to my wife."
Ashley was momentarily speechless. Damian's sudden cold joke was really cold.
Not wanting the atmosphere to become too awkward, Ashley quickly changed the subject, "Natalia must be anxious. I'll go find her."
"Wait." Damian called out to her.
He didn't know when it started, but he really didn't like seeing her back as she walked away, as if she would disappear forever once she turned around.
He didn't want to endure the longing anymore, nor face the empty nights without her.
Ashley frowned, "Mr. Hearst, is there something else?"
Damian said, "Chad could return to Rochester City at any time, and he will definitely come looking for you. For your safety, I'll have someone protect you. Do you mind?"
Ashley was quite puzzled. In the past, he would have someone protect her without her consent. Why was he suddenly so considerate?
"How will you protect me?"
"Preferably with close protection, 24 hours a day."
Ashley awkwardly laughed, "Mr. Hearst, I'm a single woman. It's not appropriate to have a burly man with me all the time."
She valued her life, but she also had her dignity.
"I'll find you a female bodyguard who can also be your driver."
Considering her special role with Chad, Ashley didn't refuse, "Okay, but since it's for my protection, I'll pay her salary."
Thomas wanted to remind her to save her money. The bodyguard Damian would find for her wouldn't come cheap.
Damian could guess her thoughts and didn't stop her, "Alright, I'll find someone, and you can discuss the salary."
That day, the nanny Ashley had chosen, Sophie Müller, and the bodyguard Damian had sent, arrived one after the other.
Ashley first explained the household situation to Sophie, instructing her on meal preferences and other details. Sophie then diligently started cleaning.
Next, Ashley looked at the tall, cold-faced female bodyguard and felt a bit intimidated.
"What's your name?"
"Samantha Patel, twenty-eight years old, professional bodyguard, skilled in kickboxing, taekwondo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and shooting..."
Ashley nodded, indicating that was enough. She didn't need Samantha to report everything; she probably wouldn't need Samantha to go into battle. "Mr. Hearst wants you to protect me 24 hours a day, so from today on, you'll live here. The room on the first floor is yours."
"Okay, Ms. Astor."
Ashley said, "Natalia is my niece, and the person you saw earlier, Sophie, is the housekeeper. It's just us, so don't feel pressured."
Samantha was very calm, without any social anxiety, "Understood."
"Usually, you'll drive for me. If I have any appointments, you can accompany me. I don't go out much, so your workload should be light, and you'll have plenty of free time."
"Okay, Ms. Astor."
Actually, all this was to make it easier to discuss the salary.
Ashley finally said, "Tell me your expected salary."
Samantha said, "I happen to be free this year, and since the tasks you mentioned are so light, I'll treat it as a vacation. Room and board included, you can decide the salary."
Ashley laughed, "Did Mr. Hearst tell you to say that?"
"I don't talk to Mr. Hearst. This is my genuine thought. Besides, you're very nice, much kinder than my previous employers. For people I like, I don't care about the money, and I don't lack it."
Ashley felt like a failure as a lawyer. Look at this bodyguard; she didn't even care about money.
"How about this, besides room and board, a monthly salary of thirty thousand dollars, and we'll renegotiate in two months."
She didn't want to seem too stingy, but her current financial situation was limited. If it didn't work out, she'd have to find someone cheaper.
Samantha wouldn't say that Damian had already transferred three million dollars to her account before she came, "Thirty thousand dollars is too much. It feels like I'm cheating you. Fifteen thousand dollars is enough, so I won't feel guilty for not working much."
They finally agreed on a monthly salary of twenty thousand dollars, with a one-year contract.
Ashley gave one last instruction, "I don't know if you had any prior interactions with Mr. Hearst, but while you're working for me, please keep my personal life confidential. As long as it doesn't involve safety, I don't want him to know things he shouldn't."
This was also why Ashley insisted on paying the salary herself. Otherwise, she wouldn't have the authority to give Samantha any orders.
"Okay, Ms. Astor."
Samantha's job was indeed easy because, for the next week, Ashley's life was just a routine.
Her activities were within a five-kilometer radius.
Accompanying Natalia to take medicine, reading at home, making phone calls, using the computer, and video chatting with friends.
She was a complete homebody.
Damian wanted her to report Ashley's whereabouts at any time, but what was there to report?
A week later, all the materials Sean had helped organize were sorted out, and the trial had begun. As a behind-the-scenes assistant, Ashley had no reason not to go to court to take a look.
At the courthouse entrance, she saw Sean in a sharp suit. He was the star of the day, full of confidence, and beside him stood Lynn in a beautiful outfit.
Money can indeed make a woman beautiful.
With designer clothes, a good hairstyle, and a well-maintained face, no one would look too bad, especially since Lynn was already quite attractive.
Lynn was obviously taken aback, "Ashley? When did you come back?!"
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