Chapter 226 Some Sneaky Tactics
Ashton was full of regret.
So much regret.
She had been way too bold in front of Lilian just a moment ago.
And now, was this not retribution?
"Kenny?" Darwin spotted Kenny.
Ashton had already turned around, jabbing Kenny’s shoulder twice in frustration.
That's for keeping it a secret!
Kenny, puzzled, caught her hand, then acknowledged Darwin, "Brother."
Brother?
Ashton was completely bewildered.
Kenny seemed to understand her confusion, explaining quietly, "Distant relative, many generations removed, but still, in terms of seniority, I call him ‘brother’."
"Oh…" Ashton began to fiddle with Kenny's palm.
That’s for keeping quiet!
"That’s for keeping quiet!"
"Darwin…" Lilian’s complexion had turned sour.
She didn't want Darwin to encounter anyone associated with Fiona again.
"What brings you here?" asked Darwin, his brow slightly furrowed.
Mrs. Solomon wasn’t fond of Lilian, so he’d made it clear that she didn’t need to come.
"I'll just light an incense stick and leave," Lilian said, feeling exceedingly uncomfortable.
That would have been manageable if they were alone, but Ashton was present!
Darwin glanced at her, then his gaze fell on Ashton.
"Who might this be?"
With a smile, Kenny replied, "My wife."
"You got married?" Darwin had just met with Kenny’s brother, and they hadn’t mentioned it.
"Mhm," Kenny nodded, speaking affectionately, "She's a bit shy."
Ashton: “….”
There's a saying: a bride must meet her in-laws, no matter how reluctant.
She slowly turned around.
"Ha, Mr. Solomon, long time no see, you look more robust than ever!" Ashton forced a dry laugh.
Darwin paused.
---
He quickly regained his composure, "You're right, it's been a while."
"Babe, let's not keep Mr. Solomon waiting any longer. We should go pay our respects to the elders," Ashton said, her fingers digging anxiously into Kenny's palm.
"Bro, we'll head over first and catch up later," Kenny told him.
"Sure."
Darwin nodded in acknowledgment.
Ashton hurried Kenny away as if they were fleeing for their lives.
Kenny only knew what he had investigated—Ashton's background. Her connection to Darwin wasn't in any of the files, so he genuinely had no idea that Ashton and Darwin knew each other. And from what he could see, Ashton seemed pretty scared of Darwin.
"Damn it!" Ashton cursed as they walked away, suddenly slapping her forehead in realization. Her mind had been so clouded with everything going on today. Given her history with Darwin, shouldn't she have been filled with intense hatred upon seeing him? Why was she so polite just now? Shouldn't she have been tearing into him with fury?
Her confidence wavered. She was still afraid, especially since he had met Fiona. Falling from grace was probably in the cards for her soon.
"What's wrong?" Kenny jumped as Ashton's palm made a loud smack against her forehead.
"Mr. Walker, if Darwin decides to come after me, do you think you can take him?" Ashton asked seriously. "If not, we should just get a divorce. I can't drag you into this mess!"
"What are you talking about?" Kenny frowned deeply.
Talking about divorce on their first day of marriage?
"You don’t understand..." Ashton was on the verge of tears. Darwin was a madman. If he found out she had been living with Fiona all these years, keeping her survival a secret from him... Would he let her off the hook? No way!!!
"No one dares to come after my wife," Kenny said reassuringly, patting her head. "Don't worry, I can handle him."
Ashton paused, looking up at Kenny. In a moment where weighing pros and cons was expected, shouldn't Kenny be inclined to let her go? It wouldn't be out of character for Ashton to think this way; after her father's death, her interests had always been sacrificed for others', including during her time with Chris.
But Kenny said, "Don't worry, I can handle him."
The idea of him giving up so easily on her to avoid conflict was... unfamiliar. This sense of support left Ashton feeling unsure, yet also kindled a new fearlessness within her. If Darwin dared to lay a hand on Kenny, she'd fight him tooth and nail!
"Yeah!" she rallied, suddenly filled with courage. "I'm not scared of him!!"
Kenny's tense expression softened as he walked with Ashton towards the memorial service, their hands intertwined.
Elsewhere, after Kenny and Ashton had left, Darwin turned to Lilian with a stern gaze. "I made myself clear, Lilian. Grandma never liked you, and you shouldn't have come."
"I just..." Lilian started.
"That's enough!" Darwin cut her off before her eyes could well up with tears. "I'll have someone take you home."
"Darwin..." Lilian reached for his sleeve, but he skillfully dodged her touch.
Her eyes fell upon his cufflinks - the same design he had countless pairs of. She remembered hearing from someone in the former President's office that Fiona had carefully chosen those cufflinks for him on a business trip to Europe. Darwin never seemed to care much for them. He had even lost one from the original pair, but when Fiona passed away, suddenly they meant everything to him. He bought many pairs and stopped wearing any other, even those that were more expensive and arguably nicer.
"I understand," Lilian said after a moment of internal struggle, finally conceding. The memorial service was grand, and the media would undoubtedly cover it in depth. If she wasn't seen in the footage, who knew what the tabloids would speculate. But at least she had been to the funeral home, and there was no other woman by Darwin's side. It should be easy to explain, she consoled herself.
But Lilian had underestimated the extent of Darwin's spite. Seeing Ashton with Kenny, Darwin knew she must have always been aware of Fiona's secret - her being alive.
Back at the event, Ashton was still by Kenny's side. Kenny's brother had already paid his respects and left earlier. Kenny and Ashton were now greeting other relatives.
Darwin took out his phone, found the perfect angle, and snapped a photo of Ashton. He then sent it to Fiona via text.
Three minutes later, Fiona's call came through. "Darwin, if you touch Ashton, it's war between us!"
Darwin felt a surge of satisfaction. "She's at her grandmother's memorial service. Are you coming to pick her up?"
"Have you lost your mind? Why would Ashton be at the old lady's memorial service?" Fiona snapped back.
"I was curious too, so I asked," Darwin feigned surprise. "Turns out she's here with her new husband. Fiona, you didn't know she got married? She kept such a big event a secret from you?"
Fiona fell silent.
"What game are you playing with me, Fiona?" she demanded.
"Don't take my word for it, come see for yourself," Darwin said, before promptly hanging up the phone.
Without skipping a beat, he snapped another picture—this one captured Ashton and Kenny, arm in arm—and sent it off to Fiona.
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