Chapter 280 Lethal Threat
The first time Ashton met Chris; Maria had already been married to Justin for two years. She was vacationing with them on a private island in the Maldives, and due to a wandering mind, she got lost. It was Chris who had found her.
Maybe it was the beautiful weather that day, the gorgeous beaches, and clear waters that made her first impression of Chris incredibly positive.
A girl's heart could flutter in just a moment.
But as quickly as that beauty appeared, it could also shatter in an instant.
"Chris!"
Ashton gathered all her strength and pushed him away firmly.
Chris stumbled back two steps, his back hitting the rough trunk of an oak.
He looked at Ashton, feeling both shocked and disoriented.
There was a time when a simple hug could soothe her unhappiness...
Ashton's eyes held a bitter disappointment as she faced Chris. "So, this is who you really are, Chris?"
"Ashton..." Chris started, wanting to say more.
"Chris, you've underestimated my self-respect and overestimated my love for you." Ashton raised her right hand, revealing a wedding ring. "I'm married now."
Chris's gaze fixed on that symbol of commitment, as his hands shook uncontrollably.
"You're just trying to make me jealous; I know it!" Chris stepped closer to Ashton, "C'mon, Ashton, be reasonable. Promise you won't see him again, and I can forgive all this drama you've caused."
His eyes darkened to the point of menace.
Ashton sensed danger.
"Chris, you're not thinking straight..."
"I need you to promise me!"
His voice was a low growl, barely containing his rage.
Ashton knew further talk was futile.
Chris was beyond reason now.
She tried to walk away without another word.
But before she could get far, Chris grabbed her and shoved her violently against the tree.
The bark bit into Ashton's back painfully.
She instinctively tried to call out for help, but Chris clamped his hand over her mouth with brutal force.
So harshly that breathing became a struggle for Ashton.
"Ashton, it was you who flew into my city and invaded my home! You started this! How dare you think you can just walk away?!"
"It wasn't really about me marrying Crystal, was it? You knew that other guy before, didn't you? That's why you've been so impatient and disobedient with me all year! You'd been involved with another man all along, and my engagement to Crystal was just your excuse to dump me!"
Ashton's breaths came with difficulty as tears began streaming down her face.
This was it, she thought, ‘I'm going to die... And leave Kenny a widower at such a young age.’
Chris was still talking, his voice a distant echo as her consciousness began to blur.
"Ashton!"
As if in a dream, she thought she heard someone calling her name in panic.
Then, the suffocating grip was gone. Through her hazy vision, she saw a figure strike Chris with a fierce punch, knocking him to the ground, and then running towards her.
As she slumped to the earth, strong arms caught her.
"It's okay; it's over now!"
Cool hands stroked her cheeks.
Ashton, shaken to her core, couldn't find her bearings.
When her senses returned, she saw Kenny's worried face coming into focus.
Ashton was devastated and tears were streaming down her face uncontrollably. "Kenny?"
"I'm here!" Kenny tightened his grip on her hand. "Don't worry; I'll take you out of here now."
It was as if Ashton didn't hear him at all.
"Kenny, why'd you take so long?" She sobbed, throwing her arms around him and burying her face in the nape of his neck, crying her heart out.
Chris seemed to finally snap out of his crazed state.
He looked at Ashton clinging to Kenny, then glanced at his own hands. He staggered to his feet, taking a couple of unsteady steps towards them. "Ashton, I had too much to drink; I didn't mean to—"
"Get out!" Ashton snapped without looking at Chris, clinging tightly to Kenny. She was genuinely scared of Chris now.
For the first time in her life, she felt death had come too close for comfort. Over the years, she had always seen herself as someone who never caused Chris any trouble, always relegated to second place, third, or even further down in his priorities.
And now, with Chris set to marry someone else for the sake of business, she had been understanding and gracious enough to step aside willingly.
She had done everything she could as best as she could.
Yet, she hadn't expected him to nearly kill her!
Chris stood there, stunned.
Kenny's gaze was sharp as a knife as it laded on Chris. "Save your explanations for the judge!"
With that, Kenny scooped Ashton up in his arms, bridal style. He didn't spare Chris another glance and walked towards the exit of the neighborhood.
Chris stood frozen; his eyes hollow.
A wave of dread washed over him after a long moment. He had nearly suffocated Ashton... If Ashton had actually died, his life would have been completely destroyed.
Chris raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face.
Kenny carried Ashton back to the car.
Under the brighter light inside the vehicle, Kenny immediately noticed the purple bruises on Ashton's cheeks.
Naturally, Kenny wouldn't let Chris off the hook. But he also knew how Ashton felt about Chris, and he wouldn't act against Chris in front of her.
But at that moment...
"Wait here in the car for me," Kenny exploded with rage.
He was going to deal with Chris now.
"Where are you going?" Ashton clutched Kenny's hand. "Are you going to fight with Chris?"
Kenny's eyes reddened slightly. "You'd stop me? After he almost suffocated you, you're still defending him?"
Ashton shook her head, still gripping Kenny’s hand as tears kept falling.
Kenny felt helpless, and gradually, his anger left him. He sighed and gently wiped her tears. "Forget it; I won't go."
Then, Ashton hugged him once more.
"Just this once," she choked out, "let's pretend it's for all that the Shaw family has done for me. I don't want you fighting with him. If something happens, it could affect your future!"
Ashton wouldn't stand for even the slightest impact on his life.
She had already received so much from Kenny, never repaying any of it, and now she was bringing trouble to him?
The thought was unbearable.
"Is it because of me that you don't want me to go?" Kenny, taken aback, asked her.
Without hesitation, Ashton nodded.
Why would Kenny, who was so kind, bother tangling with someone like Chris?
Even a minor scratch on Kenny was too much for her.
"Seriously!" Ashton sniffled, mumbling as if to convince herself, "I'm done liking him!"
Her tone sounded like that of a child vowing never to be friends with someone again.
"Okay!" Kenny said in a comforting tone, brushing past Ashton to gently examine her bruised cheek, his concern barely masking his anger. "We're going to the hospital."
"Does it look that bad?" Ashton dabbed at her tears and pulled out her phone to check her reflection. Seeing just a bruise, she insisted, "No hospital needed. A warm compress will clear up the bruise."
But Kenny was still worried.
How could he be sure there was no internal injury?
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