Chapter 56 Sing Your Heart Out!
<Chapter>Chapter 56 Sing Your Heart Out! </Chapter>
“Well, well, well! The esteemed senior counsel Ashley Astor of Rochester! Ashley, taking time out of your hectic schedule to meet little ol' me, truly an honor for me!” Christian Brin applauded sarcastically.
Ashley felt awkward, as if in a boiling frenzy. No matter how well one strengthened their spirits, they could hardly stand the irritation of such sarcasm.
Ellie clapped along, chiming in with a smile, "Ashley, nice to meet you again."
At the mall, Ellie was preoccupied with her mission, her attention fixated solely on Amelia. But now, with only Ashley before her, she realized the woman's striking beauty, a commanding presence that exuded an elegance rarely seen in showbiz.
A flicker of concern crossed her mind, and she sneaked glances at Christian, anxious he might show an interest in Ashley.
Maintaining a calculated distance, Ashley advanced, ensuring the space between them didn't impede conversation. "Miss Zane, you claimed today that my friend is interested in your boyfriend. Frankly, I believe it."
Ellie was taken aback. Was this lawyer out of her mind? Why would she sabotage her own friend?
"It's a fact whether you believe it or not!"
"Mr. Brin is a man of great wealth and generosity; it's only natural for nearly every woman to gravitate towards him, whether for advancing their status or reaping some immediate perks. Who wouldn't like the money? Right?" Ashley’s veiled barbs were delivered with a disarming smile, her sincerity unquestioned until one deciphered the sting in her words.
Ellie's face drained of color as she retorted defiantly through the embarrassment, "Your friend just wants to climb into my boyfriend's bed for her own gain!"
"So, it's not surprising you think that way since that’s precisely what you’re doing with Mr. Brin.” The unspoken implication was clear; one shouldn't call out the monsters when they too lurch in the shadows.
Ellie vehemently denied, despair tightening her voice, "That's nonsense! My feelings for him are genuine; I love him!"
Ashley was unfazed, “It's just that Miss Zane might want to have her tastes checked.”
Ellie, desperate for support, glanced at Christian who remained impassive. Steeling herself, she hissed, "Do you even know who he is? How dare you stir trouble on his turf!"
Ashley cast a dismissive glance at her purse, "The price tag ain't small, but that style is rather more complementing for someone middle-aged. Have you seen the latest Hermès? If you're out to gold-dig, at least aim for the classics; they hold their value at resale shops. Or maybe have Mr. Brin get you some real estate; at least that way, you won’t come across as a fool."
Ellie initially thought the dig was about Christian and overreacted. But as Ashley continued, Ellie's rage bubbled to a boil, and she shot up from her seat, "How dare you insult me! Say that again, and I swear I'll end you!"
Meanwhile, Christian kept on smoking and sipping his drink, thoroughly enjoying the show.
Ellie couldn't contain herself any longer. Clinging to his arm, her eyes brimmed with tears, "What a nasty woman. Honey, you've got to back me up here!"
Christian flicked his cigarette ash nonchalantly, "Weren't you just threatening to kill her? Go on then, how do you want to handle it?"
Ellie paused, bewildered, unable to tell if Christian was serious or joking, "What?"
Christian had a taste for women with fair skin, striking looks, and svelte figures, but he wasn't unfamiliar with those who lacked in wit, one of whom was right beside him. He picked up a paring knife and handed it to Ellie, "Go on."
Ellie's hands shook, "I... I can't..."
With a reassuring pat on her shoulder, Christian coaxed, "There now, I'm right here. Take a stab wherever it bothers you the most, I'll take the fall."
Ashley, with one hand on her purse and the other crossed over her chest, wore a faint smile, "If it'll make Miss Zane feel better, I'll take a couple of hits. Never held a knife before? Shall I show you how?"
Ellie's grip on the knife was so unsteady she had to use both hands, visibly terrified, she stammered, "You... you're crazy!"
Ashley took a couple of steps forward, and Ellie instinctively backed away, "There's an art to stabbing. Fumble and you're more likely to end up staining your own dress, and what a shame that'd be with how pretty your dress is. Let me show you..."
Suddenly, Ashley snatched the knife from Ellie's grasp, whipped her elbow around, and with a whoosh, only a blur was seen slicing through the air.
Thwack!
The paring knife landed squarely in the center of an impressionist sun painting on the plush leather couch's backrest.
Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds; the scene fell eerily silent.
"Ahhh!!!!!" Ellie screamed a beat too late, convinced she'd been stabbed. Clutching her head with a high-pitched cry, her face turned ghostly pale, her beauty drained away.
Ashley dusted off her hands, though there was no dust, her voice dripping with nonchalance, "Did you catch that?"
Ellie stared at Ashley as if she'd seen a ghost, her mind thundering, "Maniac, you're a freaking maniac!!"
After shouting her piece, Ellie bolted for the door.
Christian crushed his cigar with palpable disinterest, glancing at the knife handle protruding from the backrest. "Impressive, Ashley. What an apology."
Ashley wouldn’t show weakness in front of someone like Ellie. She could put her pride aside momentarily, but that didn't mean everyone could trample on it.
"Just an apology, that's all you want?"
"Oh, not exactly," said Christian Brin, swirling his champagne with a casual twist of his wrist. "You lawyers are a brainy bunch, aren't you? Why don't you figure out what would really satisfy me?"
Ignoring his sarcasm, Ashley replied earnestly, "Apologies hinge on sincerity. Fancy gimmicks are unnecessary. You just want to see me soften my stance."
Inhaling the aroma of his champagne, Christian conveyed to Ashley that this was a game he had won. "Alright, let's see it then, show me your sincerity."
"Firstly, I'm truly sorry for any misunderstanding," Ashley began.
With genuine demeanor and resolute eyes, Christian Brin scrutinized her without finding fault.
"You're certainly not short on cash or looks, with a spot on Rochester's list of top tycoons. But not every woman is into your vibe. Amelia doesn't harbor such feelings for you. If there's been a mix-up making you think she's interested, it must be a misfired signal on her part, leading to your misapprehension. For that, I offer my apologies."
Tsk!
Savoring what initially seemed like flattery with his wine, Christian grimaced as the tone shifted, spitting the liquid back into his glass. "Playing games with me? Ashley, don’t you grasp the severity of the situation?"
Standing her ground, Ashley refused to show a hint of fear; any sign of trepidation would only embolden Christian. "I'm fully aware of the severity. If the online buzz is true, it is indeed intimidating. Amelia's TV show can't air, her scenes are being cut, and her already floundering career could plummet, perhaps even leading her out of the industry entirely. A girl's dream pursued since she was sixteen, shattered."
Christian had never engaged in such a straightforward conversation with Ashley, but her confident defense made it clear that the woman who had tamed Damian was not to be underestimated.
Cutting to the chase, he stated, "Your so-called friend, her dreams, I couldn't care less about them. It's you I can't stand!"
With a stoic face, Ashley showed no emotion. "I know."
"So, keep your friend safe, and make me happy."
How Ashley wished she could tear out the knife and gouge his face, but her priorities demanded restraint, "Like how?" she asked.
Christian Brin seemed to ponder with considerable effort before pointing to the small stage off to the right. "Hayden said you're quite the singer. Sing your heart out!"
