Chapter 96 Seize the Night!
Deep within her soul, Ashley recognized the blessings that life had bestowed upon her.
"Christian is simply toying with me in this card game; his skills far surpass mine," she lamented, drawing Amelia into their conversation. "This is Amelia, my dearest friend and an extraordinary young actress. Isn't she stunning?"
To Samantha, Ashley was the embodiment of beauty, rendering all other women ordinary in comparison. However, when it came to Ashley's friends, she was more lenient. Samantha greeted Amelia with a warm smile. "Hello, Amelia, it's a pleasure to meet you!"
Amelia, surprised by the purity that Samantha exuded amidst the tumultuous world of the Hearst family, responded with equal warmth. "Well, hello there, you're quite the charmer—both beautiful and intelligent."
Samantha was no stranger to compliments and had developed a thick skin over the years. She returned Amelia's kind words with a polite smile.
Ashley continued to explain the situation, "Christian is considering recasting a role initially meant for Felicity, and they've been battling it out over the card table. If he loses, she gets the part."
By 'she,' it was evident that Ashley was referring to the woman currently in Christian's arms.
Ashley knew Samantha's tastes well enough to be certain that Gregory was not her type.
Samantha rested her chin in her hand, her gaze drifting towards Christian's lap. "Christian, your taste seems to worsen with each passing year. Perhaps I should start playing matchmaker?"
Christian responded with a grin. The familiarity between them allowed for such frankness. "Can't a man diversify his options?"
Upon noticing the cards Christian had played, Samantha realized that Ashley was likely to lose. Without a moment's hesitation, she scooped up Ashley's cards and, without even looking, shuffled them back into the deck. "Christian, you're swindling my girl Ashley here. This is a job for my brother, not you, you crafty op erator!"
Christian's lips curled into a weary smile. "Joan, enough. Let's finish this game and get a drink."
Joan, confident in her youth and favored status, tossed the playing cards towards Damian. "Big brother, pick three!"
Amelia was hesitant to accept Damian's help—wouldn't that put her in his debt? Ashley felt that this would belittle her in his eyes.
Ashley harbored a deep resentment towards Damian. Seeing him sitting there, so composed and detached, stirred up feelings of anger and irritation. Deep down, she didn't want Damian to get involved, but she knew logically that he was the only one who could turn the tide of the game.
Her internal conflict was evident on her once radiant face.
Damian took a puff of his cigarette, glanced at the cards without touching them, and commented, "As the years pass, the commercial aspects of the film and TV industry have grown stronger, and it's now considered part of the arts. But determining the quality of art in this manner is rather hasty."
Christian chuckled, a hint of admiration in his voice. "Now that's insightful! The words of a cultured man."
Damian responded calmly, "Leave the professional tasks to the professionals. You just provide the funding. Why worry about the details? Are you planning to serve the directors as a side dish with your drinks?"
Amelia scoffed inwardly. Indeed, a high-ranking capitalist like him could even skin someone with sentiment. How could Ashley compete with that?
No wonder her dear friend had left with nothing.
Christian, stroking the woman in his arms, noticed her eyes fixed on Damian, unblinking. "You don't know Damian?"
Gregory seemed lost in thought, and it took her a moment to return to the present. "No. I don't know him."
Was she really seeing the legendary Damian?
This explained why Christian was so close to him and why he exuded such a powerful aura.
Christian's tone remained indifferent. "About tonight—anyone who spills, I'll make sure she can't speak again. Understand?"
The others were just as stunned.
Had they hit the jackpot? To see the living legend, Damian, in person?
My goodness, this man must surely be God's favorite creation, mustn't he?
His impressive reputation was one thing, but his looks were unparalleled.
Unfazed by the awe Damian commanded, Joan shrugged off the hype. "What fine wines has Christian hidden away? I'm parched!"
Joan led the way as everyone dove into the feast and festivities—the atmosphere was electric.
Except for Damian and Ashley, the air between them was frigid.
Midway through, Damian stepped out to take a call.
Amelia seized the opportunity and followed him.
Getting a moment alone with Damian was a rare chance, and she had to make the most of tonight.
"Mr. Hearst."
Damian ended his call and turned to find Amelia, dressed entirely in black.
"Do you need something?"
His voice was distant, as if it came from another world.
Amelia understood; even as his ex-wife's closest friend, she was nothing more than a stranger to him.
"It's quite surprising that Mr. Hearst still remembers me, willing to exchange a few words. I, too, have something to say to him."
Each sentence was respectful, aiming to strip away any personal ties.
Damian, with his hands in his pockets and standing tall, radiated an overwhelming presence without uttering a single word.
Amelia gathered her courage: "I know I'm overstepping, but I must implore you: Can you please spare Ashley?"
Damian's brows furrowed slightly. "Spare her?"
Amelia's heart pounded, threatening to burst from her chest. "Everyone has their vulner abilities, areas that others must not touch. Perhaps in your eyes, Uncle Damian and the favors of Mr. Damian are seen as evil and criminal, but they are Ashley's family. You despise them. As a result, Ashley is caught in the crossfire. But Ashley is innocent; she's done nothing wrong. If there's a fault, it's that she foolishly and hopelessly loved you for three years."
Damian's lips were pressed together, his gaze as indifferent as the deep sea.
Amelia pressed on, "Mr. Hearst, you're at the top of the pyramid; what woman could you want that you don't have?"
Amelia had seen too many of Ashley's tears and didn't want her entangled with D amian any longer. If Damian had any compassion, he wouldn't create obstacles in her career moving forward.
Without such compassion, even if Ashley offered herself as bait and jumped in, she would only be cast aside, having lost everything.
Damian listened calmly until she finished, "Miss Jo, is there anything else?"
Amelia was taken aback. Had he not listened to a word she'd said?
"Mr. Hearst…"
Before she could finish, he interjected, "Miss Jo, you can barely fend for yourself, yet you insist on being her champion. What right do you have to challenge me?"
Seeing that her gentle approach was fruitless, Amelia found her resolve. She took a step forward, her voice hardened, "I may have nothing, but if Ashley needs me, I will fight you to the very end!"
Without a word, Damian sidestepped her, his shoulder brushing against hers as he walked away. To him, Amelia's defenses were as flimsy as a child's fort, easily toppled.
Back at the bar, Siobhan Lincoln and Christian were still engrossed in their drinks when Damian sent a text to Ashley: "Come out."
She hesitated, fearing that her refusal might provoke him to take his anger out on Amelia.
Stepping onto the dimly lit Shaded Boulevard, she found Damian leaning against a sycamore tree, a lit cigarette in his hand. The soft, warm glow of the streetlight bathed him, accentuating his broad shoulders and chiseled profile.
"What do you want?" she asked.
Damian glanced at his watch, "Still not ready to leave? Planning on another night out?"
Ashley shot back, "Is it my fault your friend decided to pick a fight?"
"Out of all the women in the world, he had to choose you? Perhaps some self-reflection is in order."
Ashley retorted, "Already done. Want to hear it?"
Anticipating her response, Damian frowned, "Come with me."
Ashley glanced back towards the bar, "Amelia and Jean are still inside."
"You worry too much. Are they incapable of walking? Will they get lost without you?"
Frustration etched on her face, Ashley countered, "Christian and Amelia are like oil and water. You know his temper better than I do."
Damian responded, "If you go back now, it will only escalate. Do you think you wield that much influence? That your mere presence can defuse the situation? Do you see yourself as some sort of hero?"
Stung by Damian's harsh words, Ashley shot back, "Where to?"
