Chapter 93Continue the Rant, I Might Learn Something
As dawn broke, Ashley found herself stirring from a rare, uninterrupted night of solitude. The absence of her usual nocturnal tormentors, her nightmares, was a welcome relief.She rose and began her morning routine, eventually making her way to the kitchen. As she swung open the refrigerator door, she was met with a stark reminder of her empty larder. A silent curse was directed at Damian."Patience," she murmured to herself. "I'm on my way.""Alright, just wait for me to arrive."Ashley had never been the recipient of the kind of affection he lavished on his new flames. Hadn't she always been the butt of his jokes, the one who bore the brunt of his challenges?And now, he had returned, his domineering presence threatening to upend her life once more. What on earth was he thinking?Upon reaching the vicinity of the law firm, Ashley grabbed a sandwich from a nearby convenience store. As she waited for the elevator, she bumped into Lynn, a fellow attorney at her firm.Lynn was impeccably dressed, her style reminiscent of a high-fashion magazine editor—if she hadn't chosen a career in law, she could have easily graced the runway."Settling for a sandwich, Ashley?" Lynn's voice dripped with barely concealed contempt.Ashley's opinion of Lynn was less than favorable, largely due to overhearing her share office gossip on more than one occasion."Too lazy to cook. Just a one-off," Ashley replied nonchalantly. "By the way, your outfit is stunning today. The daring neckline elongates your neck."Lynn glanced down at her silk blouse, suspecting that Ashley's compliment was tinged with sarcasm. Was she implying that Lynn had a short neck?"Congratulations on winning the KM Road lawsuit, Ashley. I heard the commission was quite substantial. When are you treating us?" Lynn inquired."Anytime, just waiting for everyone else's availability," Ashley responded.As the elevator doors slid open, they stepped inside, quickly followed by a throng of seven or eight others, filling the small space to capacity.Standing shoulder to shoulder, Lynn couldn't help but notice that her own shoulders were noticeably lower than Ashley's, a fact that irked her.Recently, Harold had been parading around the law firm like a proud peacock, his grin so wide it seemed he was on the verge of bursting into song. "Here comes Ashley. Let's give her a round of applause!"The staff, always eager to please, clapped enthusiastically, filling the office with a jovial atmosphere."It was just a minor case. Harold's making too much of a fuss," Ashley replied, chuckling awkwardly.Upon reaching her desk, Lynn sneered, "Landing a case like KM Road and calling it minor? Ashley, you're so modest."Hannah retorted, "Seems like Attorney Lynn has forgotten—here in our culture we have something called humility!"Lynn merely smiled and turned to make some coffee, bumping into a few familiar colleagues. They exchanged knowing looks and scoffs, their expressions a blend of shared contempt.Every so often, Harold would saunter over, pulling up a chair across from Ashley. "How about that issue we discussed yesterday?"As she booted up her computer and poured a cup of tea, Ashley replied, "I've looked over the opposing counsel's resumes, they're all heavy hitters, from their comprehensive skills to their years of experience and networking. We're at a disadvantage."This understatement was somewhat unfair, but Ashley truly didn't want to become entangled with KM Road."Well, you can't say that either. Among all the firms, KM Road singled you out," Harold countered, smacking his lips.Ashley looked up from her cup, her smile faint and resigned. "Did you forget how KM Road played me? They nearly forced me to drop half a million. Do you really want a partnership where they change the rules on a whim based on their mood?"Harold rallied, "At least we have to give it a shot!"Despite her reservations, Ashley found herself unable to dissuade him and ultimately agreed to attend KM Road's industry event.
Over a midday meal, Harold extended an invitation to Ashley and Lynn, proposing a discussion on strategies for the imminent salon event. "Lynn, I'm aware you're acquainted with their legal department manager. Perhaps you could introduce Ashley to him?" Harold suggested, a hint of pride lacing his words. A smile graced Ashley's face as she responded, "Ah, Attorney Lynn, forever the luminary of the legal world. How fortunate I am to bask in your radiance."Lynn, picking at her food, retorted, "I'm hardly a match for you, Ashley. You've already won three cases in just a few months."Sensing the undercurrent of tension threading through their conversation, Harold stepped in, adopting a peacemaking role. "Securing cases is often a matter of timing and luck. Don't be surprised if you find yourself inundated with work next month. And when your significant other starts blaming you for your absence, remember, I did consider the welfare of my team."Once dinner was over, Ashley took the opportunity to speak privately with Harold. "In the future, Harold, I'd appreciate it if you refrained from giving me special treatment. I want to compete for cases on a level playing field. I'm sure I'm not the only one here who would take issue with favoritism."Harold, his voice tinged with concern, replied, "I'm merely trying to help you earn a little extra money. Take Lynn, for example. Does she need the money? She could go without a case for a lifetime and still not starve. Can you say the same?"With a wry smile, Ashley pressed her palms together in a gesture of gratitude. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I'd rather not be the subject of any pity parties."Once the workday had concluded, Ashley rendezvoused with Amelia at a local café. Amelia was a picture of incognito, swathed in oversized sunglasses and a full-face mask, not a hint of skin visible.Ordering a latte, Ashley swept away the foam art adorning the top. "Did that little brat give you a hard time again?"Amelia scoffed, dismissing the notion. "That blonde kid? Hardly. What's truly infuriating is men like Christian throwing their weight around simply because they have the financial means—acting as though they own the place. My agent informed me today that I lost the part."It wasn't merely the role that had slipped through her fingers, but also the tantalizingly close bright future, the rising tide of hope that was now abruptly receding. All it took was a single word from Christian, and just like that, her life was reset to square one.Ashley's anger flared. "We can't let him get away with this. Let's go settle the score!"Internally, Amelia was seething, but she was also wary of the potential for greater trouble. If it were Ashley being pushed around, she might lose her temper and retaliate. But when it came to her own affairs, she was more hesitant. "Ash, it's Christian we're talking about.""That's precisely the point," Ashley retorted. They were all too familiar with Christian's antics.Impressed, Amelia gave a thumbs-up. "You're fearless, Ash. Even if we can't reclaim the role, venting some frustration is worth it. I'm so angry, it's physically painful."Ashley dialed Christian's number, putting him on speakerphone.Christian's tone was teasing. "Ashley, you're suddenly so interested in me? Missing me after just a couple of days apart?"Ashley shot back, "Mr. Brin, playing dirty behind the scenes? Aren't those hands of yours too filthy, even for you?"Unfazed, Christian retorted, "Oh, your little sister has something to say? She's blowing things out of proportion as if she can't speak for herself."Amelia, overhearing this, was livid. "Christian, this is Amelia. You manipulated things behind my back over the role, didn't you?""Ah, we meet again. Let's mind our language, shall we? Playing dirty? There were no contracts, no confirmations, no announcements. As an investor, choosing the best actor for the role is well within my rights. It's legal, fair, and rational. Your friend is a lawyer. You should know better than to make unfounded accusations."Scoundrels often have their own twisted logic, and attempting to reason with them is a futile endeavor. Amelia quipped, "The best man for the job? What's so great about Gregory? Let's put it to the test."Confident she could outperform her rival in front of the director, Amelia was ready for the challenge.With a dismissive air, Christian asked, "You need a showdown to prove who's better?"Both Amelia and Ashley cursed silently in frustration.Changing tactics, Ashley said, "Mr. Brin, as a businessman, you value return on investment. This play isn't a small investment, and I'm sure you wouldn't want the casting to ruin it. You have an idea of who's right for the role. Let's handle this like adults."From the other end of the line, the sound of a heated argument could be heard. Christian was berating his management team, his language far from polite, as if he were scolding a misbehaving child. Once his tirade was over, he resumed the call, "My apologies, Ashley, I'm a bit tied up here."He was deliberately being difficult, but Ashley wasn't in a hurry. "No worries, carry on. I might learn a thing or two."Christian couldn't help but laugh. "You're always so entertaining, Ashley. Why are our conversations always such a delight?""If you find them so enjoyable, let's have a proper discussion. Moonlight Bar at seven. Don't be late!"
