Chapter 277 She's Got Kenny
Ashton noticed the shift in his expression and followed his gaze.
A few steps away, Crystal and her parents, along with Justin and Maria, portrayed the image of familial bliss.
"Ashton," Crystal called out first, attempting to cut through the silence.
"Let's go," Ashton said, ignoring them, but her grip on Kenny's hand involuntarily tightened.
"Why bother with someone so rude, someone even her biological mother abandoned?" Crystal’s mother snapped; her voice acidly tinged. "She insists on suing our family. She’s an enemy; how can you not see that?"
Crystal’s eyes dropped, the picture of aggrieved innocence.
Ashton intended to keep moving and ignoring their presence.
"Ashton!" Maria’s voice trembled slightly.
Ashton paused, thinking to herself that a war of words was useless yet somehow fitting. If her still-beating heart was exposed to enough venom, perhaps it would finally find peace in silence.
"Ashton, won't you talk to your mother?" Maria stepped forward, attempting to bridge the gap.
Ashton looked a bit rundown, her eyes a vibrant red, stirring a pang of sympathy.
"Just say what you’ve got to say," Ashton's tone was indifferent.
"Are you still mad at Mom?" Maria choked out, "You know she loves you, not like what you said that day."
Ashton lowered her eyelids and let out a quiet scoff.
What was the difference between that day and today?
Shirley, Crystal’s mother, was just gossiping behind her back, and wasn't she just as guilty of turning a deaf ear?
"Ashton, since you're here, why don't you come home later and talk things over with your mom? She's been losing sleep and barely eating these past few days..."
"Are you blaming my mom?" Ashton's gaze sharpened as she faced Justin.
Justin was taken aback, then frowned. "When did you become like this?"
"Sorry, I’ve always been like this. Before, I had to play nice since I was living under others' roofs. Now that we've cut ties, I see no need to play pretend," Ashton replied.
Justin's frown deepened.
Shirley's face filled with mockery.
"Ma'am, please watch your attitude," Kenny interjected coldly, their presence overwhelming.
Shirley rolled her eyes, "Do you think you have the right to speak to me?"
"Who are you insulting?" Ashton pointed at Shirley, her voice stern with reproach.
It startled her.
"Ashton, please... don’t do this!" Maria tried to lower Ashton’s pointing hand.
"Don’t touch her!" Kenny exclaimed in shock.
How could a mother act like this when her child faced such insults?
"I am her mother. Who are you to meddle in our private matters?" Maria demanded sternly.
Back when Ashton had suddenly decided to sever ties.
He was there too!
Maria strongly suspected that this man was behind all the turmoil.
"He's my husband," Ashton lifted her hand, flashing her wedding ring. "Legally registered. My personal business?"
Ashton chuckled lightly, "My affairs with him, that's what's personal. Keep your messy business away from me. I find it distasteful."
"You got married?" Maria was utterly astonished, "What were you thinking, child? Why didn't you consult with your mother? Who is this guy? What does his family do? Who are they? How could you blindly throw yourself into marriage?"
"Ashton, marrying in haste just to spite your mom is way out of line!" Justin also grew stern, "Do you even know his family background? Is he the one stirring you up against us? He's not after your money, is he?"
Kenny was silent.
"You'll find out who I am," Kenny spoke as he looked at Ashton. "Don't waste your time with them, the designer is waiting for you at the office."
"Right, I got so caught up in the argument," Ashton said, smacking her forehead lightly. "Let's hurry!"
"Ashton!" Maria barked.
Kenny faced her calmly. "I still address you as 'aunt' out of respect. Mrs. Walker made herself quite clear last time. Please conduct yourselves with some dignity. If there's any further attempt to tarnish my wife's reputation or threaten her physical or emotional well-being, I won't hesitate to sue."
Ashton gripped Kenny's hand tighter.
Truth be told, she had been terrified upon encountering these people.
She had never been able to stand up to her mother, and she dreaded Justin's piercing gaze.
But now things were different.
Kenny would stand by her.
Kenny would ensure they treated her with respect!
Maria and her group stood rooted to the spot, watching Kenny and Ashton walk away hand in hand.
"How could this happen?" Maria gasped, clutching her chest as if the world were spinning around her.
She thought that Ashton, like always, would just throw a tantrum for a few months, then come back home to apologize and admit her wrongs.
Why... Why had it come to this?
Did she no longer care for her own mother?
"Auntie!" Crystal came to support Maria.
"If you ask me," Crystal's mother chimed in, apparently comforting Maria but also slighting Ashton while praising her own daughter, "a daughter like that makes no difference whether she's around or not; she has no manners at all. Crystal will take good care of you, and Chris is such a well-behaved boy; he'll do right by you too. Don't worry too much; look on the bright side."
Maria continued to clutch her chest.
Ashton had no manners?
Was that really the case?
But as a child, everyone adored her and sang her praises.
And when it came to being dutiful...
Since she started working, Ashton had bought houses, cars, and even Hermes limited edition bags for her– she always got the best.
Was that not being filial?
But faced with Chris's future in-laws and his bride-to-be, Maria found herself unable to voice these thoughts.
Chris needed the support of the Ayre family.
She couldn't ruin this hard-won marriage for him...
As for Ashton...
Her own daughter, her own flesh and blood, she’d come back to her once her anger subsided.
Yes...
She definitely would.
Justin stepped forward, wrapping his arms around his wife soothingly.
Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Ashton's retreating figure.
Justin had always known that Ashton had a powerful friend, and her own abilities were strong. Whatever she did, either for herself or helping him and Chris, had been a resounding success.
To put it bluntly, she was like a piece of prime meat, the kind that just kept giving no matter how much you took.
Justin had it all figured out: keep the riches in the family by roping in a trusted relative, and by marrying Ashton, any money she made would ultimately stay within the Shaws. But he hadn't anticipated this fallout...
Just one fight, and what felt like a surefire gain slipped right through his fingers. Thinking about Ashton's assets filled Justin with a sense of regret. Determined to salvage what he could, he planned to have a serious talk with his wife that evening. If he couldn't secure the assets, at least Ashton's influence had to remain accessible. Both Chris and he needed her connections.
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