Chapter77Ashley, You Rule!
Ashley hesitated, her sincerity shining through. "Mr. Brin, you lack for nothing and are unafraid to gamble big. I, however, am different. I lack the money or assets to gamble with. What if I lose? What could I possibly offer you?" Her submissive demeanor was satisfying to Christian. He toyed with a dart, almost wanting to call Damian over to witness his clever girl's concession. "Just this?" He reassured her, "Don't worry, Ashley. Given our solid friendship, would I ever ask you for money? Let's not even discuss other things; money is the least of our concerns." Despite his reassurances, Ashley remained uneasy. "Apart from some legal knowledge, I don't have any special talents. Asking me to sing or dance would be like a death sentence." Christian scoffed at her concerns. "You're thinking too small, Ashley. Those trivial things aren't fit for you." Gregory and Isabel exchanged a glance and an eye roll before refocusing their attention on Ashley. They both wondered who this Ashley really was and why everyone seemed to treat her so uniquely. With a verbal agreement from Christian, Ashley nodded in acceptance. "Alright, since you've said so, I can't be a spoilsport. Your technique is good; I'm no match for you. Just don't gloat too much when I lose." Christian was confident in his skills. Having lost to Ashley once before, he had practiced diligently, perfecting his technique whenever he had the chance. He believed he could easily best her. Today was about settling an old score. Hayden sauntered over, feigning interest in the skirmish. "Come on, Christian, you're still holding a grudge? That's all in the past." Christian responded, "You've got it all wrong. I just miss the way Ashley handles herself, and I wanted to see if she still had it." Ashley smiled, her gaze sharp enough to kill. What a joke—seeking instruction from her, indeed. Stephen eyed the distance to the target, questioning, "Isn't it a bit far?" "Far?" Christian answered. "It’s the standard distance. A little challenge is good; it tests your skills, doesn't it?" Damian spun his glass idly, indifferent to the looming events. Stephen nodded toward him, "Aren't you worried Ashley might lose?" Damian coolly responded, "If she wants to show off, who's to stop her?" Stephen shook his head with a resigned smile. "You two are like cat and mouse. She used to chase you, and you'd play hard to get. Now, it seems she's not that into you, either. Isn't that twisted?" "I'm all for peace; it's better for me if she keeps her distance," Damian stated. Stephen pressed on teasingly, "Since you prefer to keep to yourself, how come you ended up eating her homemade pizza? It wasn't roadside dining, was it?" "You want some, too?" Damian shot back. Stephen earnestly replied, "Sure, drop me the address. I've been craving pizza for a while now." "Can't get your fill at Joe's Pizza House?" Damian prodded. Still serious, Stephen continued, "Did Ashley hurt her fingers making pizza?" Damian snapped back with a cold tone, "You've got a keen eye." "She's a woman, your ex-wife. The marriage is over, but compassion remains. Don't always give her the cold shoulder. She has few friends in Rochester City, other than us. To be fair, anyone could kick her when she's down. With the Astor Group gone and her parents abroad, Ashley's like a bird without a nest. Where can she fly to now?" A bird without a nest. Now, she had lost her house and was temporarily staying at his place. It wasn't a death wish, was it? His fault? Damian swirled his drink, taking a sip. "I give her a hard time? Have you not heard her barbed comments? Miss Astor still parades her pride!" Stephen didn't speak, but he heard Hayden's loud exclamation from across the room. "Holy cow! That's insane!" Damian looked up to see Hayden dramatically embracing Ashley, "Ashley! There you go! Still got it—right in the bullseye!" Ashley had gone first in the first round. She aimed, threw, and hit the dead center. Ashley tossed her hands dismissively, "Pure fluke. I haven't done this in ages. It must be dumb luck, Mr. Brin. You're up." Christian's fingers creaked as he clenched them tightly. It was a duel of experts, where just one posture or look could reveal their rank. He couldn't afford to underestimate his opponent, throwing out a casual, "Why the false modesty, Ashley?" Ashley grinned and gestured for him to show his stuff. The sound of someone nailing the bullseye added pressure on the next one up. The tension in the room climbed, almost like it was the ambiance of the Olympics.
Gregory longed to offer some solace, yet she was apprehensive about causing any disturbance. Instead, she opted to clench her fists tightly, whispering words of encouragement under her breath.Hayden, perpetually overflowing with arrogance, extended a drink to Ashley. "Ashley, would you kindly knock him off his high horse?" he requested, hoping to be spared from the incessant grumbling."All luck," Ashley replied modestly, "I'll do my best."Christian's dart throw was impeccable, hitting the bullseye with precision.The game ended in a draw.The score was neck and neck, with both competitors consistently hitting the bullseye until the final throw.At last, Damian turned his attention to them.He had previously dismissed Ashley and Christian's matches as merely competent, not paying them much heed. His only recollection was of Ashley's victory and Christian's subsequent brooding, which had led to an obsession with darts and even a consultation with a professional coach.He began to realize that he might have overlooked many details about Ashley.Ashley, her slender figure slightly tilted, held the dart delicately between her fingers. She closed one eye, focusing intently on her target, her right arm tensing with anticipation.With a swift and decisive throw, the dart embedded itself firmly in the bullseye.Ten throws, ten bullseyes—each one precise and forceful.Under immense pressure, Christian managed to hit the 9-ring, but it wasn't enough.Without lingering, Ashley turned and walked away.The others didn't dare to poke at Christian's fresh wound. However, he couldn't let it go, "Hey, where are you off to?""Isn't it over?" Ashley feigned innocence.Christian could tell she was pretending to be oblivious and didn't appreciate it. "You think I can't handle losing?"A genuine smile sparkled in Ashley's eyes, "That's not what I meant. We're all friends here; there's no need to take things too seriously. If I had lost, you wouldn't have given me a hard time, right?"The crowd fell silent.Something felt amiss.Christian sniffled, "Cut the crap. Spit it out, Ashley. What do you want?"Ashley knew Christian's pride well, especially when it came to women—politeness was fine up to a point, but overdoing it was unnecessary."I actually do need a favor," Ashley's tone was more pleading than triumphant, giving Christian the respect he yearned for.Christian exhaled sharply through his nostrils and took a seat, defeated yet gracious. "This is about your Miss, isn't it?"Ashley had come tonight for this very reason, to seize the opportunity Christian had given her to speak her mind. "Yes, it was her. Can we just let bygones be bygones, not dredge up the past?" she asked hopefully.Christian twirled the Ferrari key on his finger, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Ashley thinks I'm being petulant? If I say it's over, then it's over. Why would I keep digging up old dirt?"
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