Chapter 562 The First Snow
The next day, Amelia woke up to a call from Ava, reminding her of today's schedule and to go to the studio for makeup.
After a few words, the call ended.
Amelia changed her clothes and quickly tidied her hair.
Ashley leaned against the bathroom doorway, admiring her fresh, makeup-free face. "Ava is amazing. In such a short time, she has paved the way for your development, and the scripts she got for you are perfect."
Amelia's face was beautiful, belonging to the sexy type. She could be molded into a two-faced character or a cold, strong woman, depending on how her agent set her image.
Unfortunately, her previous agency had placed her in a low position, only allowing her to play villains and supporting roles to highlight the protagonist's positive image.
Now it was different. Amelia had won an award for a TV series, gaining industry recognition and finally shedding the "two-faced" label.
Seeing her career turnaround and finally being able to play roles she liked, Ashley was genuinely happy.
Amelia raised her beautiful eyebrows and pouted her highly saturated lips. Even without lip gloss, her naturally peachy lips were still sexy. "Who made me have the best friend in the world? Ava took me in because of Mr. Hearst, not because I'm that capable."
Ashley's watery eyes half-closed. "Are you sure?"
"You didn't know? Well, I thought you asked him for help. At first, I thought I was just lucky that Ava took a liking to me, but I recently figured out the truth."
Ashley was silent for a moment, then said with a clear conscience, "Having such a good artist like you, Ava should be grateful. So if anyone should be thanking someone, it should be her."
Amelia couldn't believe her ears. "Are you being sincere?"
Ashley pinched her smooth, dewy cheeks. "Do you want me to scold you and then drag you out of the entertainment industry, refusing his resources? I'm not that foolish. Take what you're given, but be mentally prepared. He might take it back someday."
Amelia responded, "Ashley, thank you. No matter what, it's great to have you."
"I feel the same. It's great to have you. Now go to work, and come over when you have time."
After seeing Amelia off, Ashley stood alone by the sink, staring at herself in the mirror.
Amelia's resources in the entertainment industry were secretly helped by Damian.
She could let Amelia accept it without question, but she couldn't get over it herself.
She picked up her phone, thought about dialing, but then put it down.
Breaking this layer of secrecy would only lead to endless trouble.
After lunch, Ashley contacted Luna.
On the phone, she first heard a baby crying. Luna soothed the baby, and the crying stopped, seemingly drinking milk.
"Luna, are you free today? We need to discuss the issue of reclaiming property." Ashley got straight to the point without any unnecessary pleasantries.
"I'm free, but it's inconvenient to hold the baby," Luna said, troubled.
"No problem. You choose the place. Taking care of the baby is more important. I'm fine with anything."
Luna chose a mall close to her residence. There was a family restaurant downstairs that provided children's entertainment facilities, and the waitstaff would help take care of the children.
The blonde beauty holding a Barbie-like baby caused quite a stir, with everyone curiously looking on.
Especially in the baby, curious and envious.
Ashley smiled, "They all really like your daughter."
Luna was not in high spirits. "Thank you."
A large group of children was crying and making noise.
Such a setting was not suitable for discussing work, but as mothers with children, neither of them minded.
Ashley used to find children noisy, but after having Happy, she was willing to accept the shortcomings of children because they brought more happiness.
After ordering, the two sat across from each other.
Luna was in a bad mood, her eyes red, stirring her vegetable salad without taking a bite.
Ashley said, "It will get better. You will be stronger, braver, and happier than before. And the happiness you earn yourself is more solid and can't be taken away."
Relying on a man might bring more disappointment because people's hearts always change.
It's not that men change, but people's hearts change, regardless of gender. Infidelity is not exclusive to men.
Luna gave a bitter smile. Her well-defined features were beautiful, even with a touch of sorrow.
"I went to see him in prison. He said he hated me for not helping him. If I had testified, he wouldn't be in jail."
Ashley gritted her teeth. "What a joke! He broke the law, and the evidence presented by the prosecution was irrefutable. He's just trying to make you feel guilty and miserable, to force you to back down. Luna, he's a scumbag. Do you see that?"
Luna nodded, her eyes moist, with a hint of a smile. "I know. Many people have told me."
She calmed her emotions and formally discussed the appeal details.
Ashley took the lead, guiding her step by step, organizing the clues very quickly.
Seeing the amount of money, Luna felt both heartache and anger. "He never gave me anything. I didn't even know he had so much money."
Ashley smiled. "It will all be yours in the future."
After discussing business, Ashley looked enviously at the children. She missed Happy. "Luna, I'll fly to Sylvania as soon as possible to help you get what you deserve. Next, are you going to get a divorce?"
"Do you handle divorce cases too?"
Ashley said, "Your divorce will be easy. Your husband cheated and is in jail. He has no right to refuse the divorce."
Luna hesitated, unable to make up her mind for a long time.
Letting go of a relationship was like cutting away rotten flesh from one's body.
"No rush. You can take your time to think about it. Once you've decided, let me know. I'll introduce you to the best divorce lawyer." Ashley patted her hand, offering encouragement.
Back in the car, Ashley called Sean. "Sean, I'll be flying to Evercrest City in a couple of days. Luna has authorized me to reclaim their marital property."
"Are you going alone?"
"Yes, alone. I can also visit my parents and Happy."
But with only Natalia left in the country, she was a bit worried.
Natalia's condition was stabilizing, and with Samantha and Sophie around, it should be fine. But they weren't Natalia's family, and might not provide the right emotional warmth.
Sean said, "What about Natalia when you go to Evercrest City? How about handing the case to someone else? I can find someone for you. There are a few experienced people in Evercrest City."
Ashley refused. "It's not suitable. Luna is too emotionally unstable. Changing people would make her uneasy. I'll try to handle it within a week and come back as soon as possible."
"I'll take care of Natalia. I'll bring Cleo to play with her. Two kids together can distract her. You focus on your work."
Ashley instinctively refused because Sean was very busy. It took him over an hour to get here from where he lived, and the back-and-forth would be exhausting for him.
"We have a nanny at home. I'll ask Mr. Collins for help. Cleo often plays there and isn't afraid anymore. It should be fine."
"I'll visit her whenever I can. Don't worry."
"Okay, thank you, Sean."
Then, Ashley contacted her colleagues in Evercrest City, asking them to go to the court to expedite the process and schedule a hearing.
IK was a large law firm, and senior law firms were familiar with the local federal court judges and chief judges. A small favor could get things done quickly.
That afternoon, her colleague replied that the hearing could be moved up to Thursday.
And today was Tuesday.
Ashley didn't hesitate and immediately booked a flight to Evercrest City. Considering the flight distance and time difference, she still had time to meet the third party who had stolen someone else's marriage.
At dusk, Hillside Villa.
After arguing with Damian, Ashley instinctively wanted to avoid him, not wanting to meet or talk.
But for Natalia's future, she had to break the deadlock.
If she could avoid Damian and directly hand over to Jasper and Martin, it would be great.
But unfortunately, as soon as she arrived today, she saw Damian.
He was sitting on the outdoor sofa in the yard, with documents and coffee beside him. A faint steam rose from the cup. Behind him was a rose garden. The blooming season had passed, but a few hardy buds dotted the garden. The leaves, tended by the gardener, were still vibrant green. The decay of winter contrasted with the lushness before her eyes. He seemed to bridge the seasons without any sense of discord.
Damian looked up from a stack of documents, his pupils reflecting a faint white light, piece by piece, quickly weaving into a light net.
It was snowing, the first snow of this winter.
Without any warning, without any premonition.
Snowflakes danced and swirled, landing on Damian's prominent brow and eyelashes.
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