Chapter 207 Introducing Myself
"Our family matters are none of your business," Chris sensed the hostility this man had towards him and the possessiveness towards Ashton.
Ashton was beautiful, and there was never a shortage of suitors around her.
Chris had seen those who brought roses to woo Ashton.
He would be upset but never felt threatened.
Until now.
Looking at the young man before him, for the first time, an unspeakable fear and irritation rose in his heart.
Family matters?
Ashton grew even more discontented.
When had she and Alice become a family?
Her grandmother was injured, so why did it suddenly seem like a private family issue?
Ashton's anger surged to her head.
"Chris, there's no family issue between us," Ashton said, instinctively clutching Kenny's wrist, "Let's go!"
Kenny's eyes showed a flicker of emotion.
His gaze dropped and settled on the hand that had grabbed his wrist.
"Ashton, stop making a scene!" Chris grabbed Ashton's arm forcefully.
But before Ashton could respond, Kenny had grabbed his wrist, and with a twist, the pain made Chris instinctively release his grip.
"What are you doing?" Chris rarely lost his composure and became angry in public.
"Sir, this is your last warning," Kenny said with an air of authority, "if you make another harmful move toward Ashton, I will not be polite."
Ashton wasn't sure of his background.
Perhaps owning such prime real estate in Bay City, he wasn't just from an ordinarily wealthy family...
That might explain his imposing presence despite his young age.
Chris would not create a scene in public.
He just glanced at Kenny before his eyes fell back on Ashton.
After a deep look at her, Chris said nothing and turned away, not looking back as he left.
Ashton watched the retreating figure, thinking how resolute it seemed.
Could this be where things with Chris ended for good?
"Ashton," Kenny's voice interrupted her self-deprecating thoughts.
Ashton took a deep breath, tucking her hair behind her ears to look a bit more presentable, "Sorry for making you witness that scene."
"It's nothing," Kenny responded evenly, "Where are you headed?"
"Transfer office. To arrange my grandmother's transfer to another facility," Ashton replied.
"I'm heading that way too. Let's go together," Kenny suggested, already walking towards the building where the transfers were managed.
Ashton gazed at his tall, upright figure.
Kenny's back was somewhat different from Chris's.
His shoulders were broader and he looked more dependable.
To have a client witness her in such an awkward situation right before a deal... would definitely tarnish her image, she thought.
"What is it?" Kenny, having walked a few steps and seeing Ashton stationary, stopped, turned around, and, pausing, he smiled, "Do you need to hold hands to move?"
Hold hands?
Ashton suddenly remembered her own hand grasping Kenny's wrist just moments before.
"No, no, no, no!" Ashton waved her hands dismissively, hurrying to catch up, "I was just lost in thoughts, that's all."
Kenny nodded.
They walked side by side, and Ashton expected Kenny to ask what was wrong.
But he remained silent all the way to the administration area.
While Ashton took care of the transfer paperwork, Kenny didn't wander off but he simply found a place to sit down.
After making the rounds and finishing the process, Ashton turned around to see Chris watching her.
She was startled.
Kenny stood up, making his way back to her.
"Are you not busy anymore?" she asked.
Kenny responded, "Since I ran into you, it would be polite for me to visit your grandmother."
"Really?" Ashton didn't quite understand these formalities.
"Let's go," Kenny said, naturally taking the paperwork from her hands.
After all, he was her client, and she couldn't afford to upset him. The deal wasn't done yet.
It wasn't long before Ashton led Kenny to Grandma Carey's hospital room.
In the brief time, Fiona had clearly become very fond of Grandma Carey, her affection almost visible in her eyes.
As Ashton and Kenny entered the room, the laughter between the two halted, and confusion set in.
Why had Ashton brought back a handsome man after stepping out for just a bit?
"Grandma, this is my..." Ashton hesitated.
She and Kenny weren't exactly collaborators, nor client and provider, not even friends.
"Grandma Carey, my name's Kenny, I'm a friend of Ashton," Kenny said warmly.
"Yes, my friend," Ashton responded with a stiff smile.
"Very good, very good!" Grandma Carey's eyes creased with joy, seeing her granddaughter bring a boy to meet her for the first time.
Grandma Carey herself had long since made peace with life and death. But with Ashton being all alone, it had become a concern for her.
With affection, Grandma Carey examined Kenny. "Kenny, you're quite the handsome young man. How old are you this year? Are you working? Your family..."
"Grandma!" Ashton, sensing the inquisitive trend, quickly interjected.
Little did she know...
Kenny replied with a smile, "Grandma, I'm 23 this year, started a venture in college, and now I run a research and development company, in addition to our family inheritance. The business is profitable."
Ashton looked at Kenny in shock.
It was truly a case of 'ask and you shall receive.'
"I am the youngest of three brothers, the late blessing for our parents," Kenny continued. "Our family operates a real estate firm and deals in antiques. One brother runs a private school while the other is in internet-related business."
In her mind, Ashton thought there was no need for such detail!
Fiona sat next to Grandma Carey, holding back her laughter.
This earned her a fierce glare from Ashton.
"Now, that's wonderful!" Grandma Carey beamed even brighter with delight.
The young man clearly had intentions for her granddaughter, which were hardly subtle.
Kenny's gaze shifted to Fiona.
"Chelsea, I've heard a lot about you."
"You know me?" Fiona was somewhat taken aback.
She had only recently started making public appearances.
"The project you helped restructure last time was a business of one of my elder family members. I had the honor of seeing you at a conference," Kenny explained.
Fiona was even more surprised.
This handsome guy seemed to have quite an impressive background.
"So, we have that connection?" Fiona smiled. "Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Chelsea, a close friend of Ashton's."
Ashton was even more bewildered.
"Kenny, thanks for visiting my grandma. I've got to rush her to change hospitals, so I won't keep you any longer. Let's have dinner some other time!"
Ashton could certainly sense something was off and was quick to usher him out.
Fortunately, Kenny was tactful.
"That sounds good," Kenny said.
"I'll walk you out!" Ashton hurriedly offered.
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