Chapter 89 Desperate for a Man
"When did you learn to cook?" Ashley hollered, her focus shifting from the potential for a late-night quarrel to the enticing aroma of the soup. Her tone softened abruptly."Self-taught," Damian retorted icily.If Ashley were to believe that, she would be the most gullible soul under the heavens. She sampled the soup—it was divine, rivaling the culinary masterpieces of the chefs they used to employ at their residence. "Any lingering doubts about the Lee case?" she asked.Damian, savoring the exquisite flavors of his own creation, responded to Ashley's tactless inquiry with a dismissive glance. "Discussing work over dinner? Have you ever heard of social etiquette?"Ashley's feigned smile faltered. "So?"The meal may not have been extravagant, but it was certainly delectable. Yet, instead of satisfaction, Ashley felt a rising tide of heartburn. Her blood seemed to rush to her brain in anticipation of Damian's next outburst, leaving none to aid in digestion. After finally setting her fork aside, Ashley tuned into the soft hum of the dishwasher, busy with the remnants of their dinner.She observed as Damian moved to the living room, comfortably settling onto the couch before switching on the television.The screen illuminated, revealing the legal channel they had left on earlier. It was broadcasting a case about a husband who had divorced to evade debts from a previous marriage, and his current wife was suing him."What's your take on this lawsuit, given your expertise, Ashley?" Damian asked, his question laced with deliberate provocation.Had Ashley shown any hint of discomfort or anger, it would have played right into Damian's hands. Instead, she chose the opposite approach, taking a seat with a composed interest and watching along. "In a marriage, if one spouse incurs debts through illegal means or without informing the other, the wronged party can file for divorce and ask for a division of assets. Of course, if the debt was a joint decision, both are equally liable for its repayment.""So, this is about the right to be informed and legality?" Damian's question lacked any genuine search for an answer; the mocking lilt in his voice was unmistakable."Marital disputes are different from other social issues," she replied. "They involve emotions, the well-being of elders and children, marital bonds, and the financial state of both parties. They require a case-by-case analysis, but generally, that's the gist."Damian shot her a sidelong glance filled with implications. "Legally speaking, was our divorce lawful?"Ashley felt the sting of his words pierce her heart.All this talk was just a setup for a pointed jab.The warmth of the evening meal was rapidly dissipating. She chided herself for harboring any shred of hopeful illusion—she shouldn't let his attempt at cooking change her perception of him!Clearing her throat, she stated, "In the realm of Rochester City, Damian's word is law. As you say, matters large and small are subject to your whims. Besides, didn't the legal eagles on KM Road go through our divorce papers with a fine-toothed comb? Not a single punctuation mark was out of place."Damian snorted. "It's just a case of karma working its magic. You always dot your i's and cross your t's, Ashley—a wake-up call for me. A single oversight on my part and our family fortune could be at risk."There were a thousand things Ashley might have said, but in this matter, she couldn't muster a single retort. Damian hadn't yet untangled the financial mess his father and brother had made with KM Road's substantial assets, all evidence currently pointing to their illegal mismanagement.Damian's assertions seemed too confident to be a bluff.The atmosphere chilled to a near-freezing point, and the vast living room was filled only with the persistent chatter of the TV.Ashley regretted tossing her phone aside; at least scrolling through the news could have spared her from this uncomfortable silence.Time stretched on interminably until Damian finally broke it. "You're quite familiar with Sean?"Ashley was on guard with every word he spoke, especially now that she had learned of Sean's true identity. "What about it?""Don't answer a question with another question," Damian told her.Ashley felt suffocated by the crushing weight of anxiety, her entire body tense from head to toe.In a sudden twist of thought, she wondered if she could turn the tables—Sean had asked her to play a role in deceiving his elders; perhaps she too could seize the opportunity."Actually, I owe it to Damian for putting me on this case. If it hadn't been for that, I wouldn't have had the chance to meet an industry leader like Sean. Setting aside our competitive roles, we really hit it off. Sean's integrity, modesty, and gentleness are things I truly admire."Damian's face turned a shade darker with each word she spoke.Her every mention of him seemed layered with irony, while her praises for Sean were nothing short of admiration."Are we thinking of climbing up the social ladder? This time, not a businessman but a heavyweight official. It's the same old story: the alliance of power and money. You've had your game down pat for ages. Sean doesn't stand a chance against a pro like you, right?"Ashley's head felt like it was about to explode. She fought the urge to grab the television and smash it over his head. Taking a deep breath and flashing a wry smile, she said, "With you and Miss Bezos heading for an ideal union, I suppose it's time I found my renewal. Life goes on; we can't live in the past."Damian fixed a cold stare on her. "Jealous of what Trinity and I have? So desperate you'll pull any man into your scheme to get back at me? And you choose a widower? You sure know how to pick them!"
"Damian!"
She could no longer hold back her temper. Jumping to her feet, she practically shrieked at him.
With a cool yet commanding gesture, Damian stood, his hands pressing down on her shoulders, his thin lips threateningly close. "Don't even entertain the idea of escaping my grasp," he warned.In response, Ashley shrugged him off with a sudden jerk, darting into the bedroom before Damian's predatory instincts could fully engage. She secured the door behind her with a resounding click.Leaning against the solid barrier, she drew in ragged breaths, her heart pounding in her chest.She was resolute. She would not leave the sanctuary of that room that night. She would not afford him another opportunity to encroach upon her privacy.For Damian, it took a moment to comprehend that the woman had slipped from his grasp, leaving behind only the echo of the door slamming shut.After a brief pause, a sly smile curved his lips. He sauntered towards the door and called out, not bothering to knock, "Unless you plan on making that room your permanent residence.""I'd rather starve than step out. Just get the hell away from me!" Ashley retorted, her voice sharp.Damian was yet to respond.Ten minutes trickled by before Damian's voice filtered through the door once more. "Ashley.""What now, Damian? If you have no further commands, get some sleep. I won't be seeing you out.""Your phone's ringing."A wave of panic washed over Ashley—she'd left her phone on the living room couch.To retrieve it or not, that was the quandary."There have been three calls. It's your decision whether you want to answer them or not."Concerned about missing a crucial work-related call, Ashley steeled herself and unlocked the door. "Where's my phone?"Damian's voice was devoid of emotion. "What, you think it's glued to my hand?"Ashley huffed in annoyance. Just perfect.Her phone rang again, the sound emanating from beneath the couch. Ashley strained to move the furniture, but it remained stubbornly immovable, not budging an inch. She exerted more force, sweat dotting her forehead, but the couch remained as if rooted to the floor."Odd, isn't it?" she muttered to herself. "On this slick floor, you'd think it would slide easily."Damian observed her struggle with crossed arms, watching as Ashley darted from one side to the other, trying every trick in her arsenal. She scratched her head, rubbed her nose, chewed on her nails, held her forehead, and placed her hands on her hips.He mused to himself, "Is this how a high-powered attorney loses her composure at home?"After her futile attempts, Ashley swallowed her pride and asked, "Is this couch bolted down or something?""Nope," Damian replied casually. "It's just made of solid black walnut. The whole thing weighs maybe a thousand, two thousand pounds tops. With your strength, you could give it another try."She rubbed her nose, feeling the absurdity of the situation. "How about you lend a hand?"Damian responded with a dismissive snort.Ashley assumed he wouldn't assist, but then, to her surprise, Damian rolled up his sleeves, crouched down, and with a well-placed grip, he shifted the sofa slightly without seemingly exerting much effort.Ashley's jaw dropped as she watched him, impressed. "How are you so strong?"As Damian retrieved her phone wedged in the crevice, he advanced towards her, leaned in close, and peered into her curious eyes. "You've seen what I'm capable of, Ashley. I'm not just strong. I can also go the distance."Catching his insinuation, Ashley shot him an understanding look, snatched her phone, and made to dash off.But Damian was quick to intercept, pulling her into an embrace, his hot breath fanning over her. "Why the rush, Ashley? All that talk, but you seem to enjoy our time together."Her cheeks flushed, ears burning, she protested softly, "That's not pleasure, that's discomfort."Damian gently pinched her chin, his voice a slow, teasing drawl. "We're both adults here. No need to play coy and pretend you're uninterested."
