Having said that, he nodded toward Harold, who responded, "Great, Damian. Allow me to show you out."
Damian didn't wait for Harold to catch up. He strode out through the door and slammed it shut with a resounding thud.
Ashley closed her eyes, her body feeling as if it had been drained of all its strength.
While in the heat of the confrontation with Damian, she had relied on sheer will, betting on the fact that he wouldn't cause a scene in public. But upon reflection, she realized that everything about the man; his cunning attitudes and tricks; made him a true monster.
She had avoided him for three years, and now, just twenty days after returning to Rochester, he had tracked her down.
All this for a lawsuit?
It was more likely he was still bitter about their divorce settlement.
Ashley always felt that her brother's deception in taking money from Damian was the single spark that led to their marital dissolution. The truth was, he didn’t love her.
The absence of love was the true cause; everything else was just an excuse.
Finally, Ashley said in defeat, "Harold, I can't take this case. You'll have to figure something out."
Harold, completely bewildered, asked, "Ashley, do you know Damian?"
"Not at all."
Worried that Harold might probe further, Ashley swiftly changed the subject, her gaze sharp and cold as she addressed him. "Harold, you hold a PhD from law school and have been through dozens of trials, how could you sign such an unfair contract? A penalty of 3 million dollars is clearly unreasonable. Did you not see the zeros, or were you under duress when you agreed to it?"
Harold was known for his steadiness and reliability, which was why Ashley had decided to work with him in the first place. But this mistake he had made was elementary.
"After closely reading the contract, I also think the amount is excessive. However, the legal fees that KM could give were quite high. If we prevail, the legal bills alone would come to around $100,000."
Ashley was speechless with frustration, "People say lawyers are greedy and pursue cases without principles for money; do you really want to be that kind of person?"
Harold internally lamented but explained, "I did it to help you! I overheard you borrowing money from Hannah yesterday. How much could that young girl possibly have saved? Borrowing 15 thousand from her, isn't that almost scaring her?"
Stung by the mention of her real issue, Ashley’s tone softened a bit, "I'll figure out the money by myself."
Harold was worried, "It's not just about the money. The fallout from the last case we lost was dire; we haven't had a new case in three months. Winning KM’s case could make our firm’s reputation in one go; it's our chance to turn things around. Please, think of our firm’s situation and help out, okay?"
"Harold..."
"Ashley, I've helped you a lot to get your license. Consider this as returning a favor. Can you do this for me, Ashley?"
That’s right. Without Harold's help, she wouldn't have stood a chance at getting her license. One's got to show gratitude, especially to those who offer a helping hand when one needs it most.
But representing Damian in court meant facing him head-on, and she wasn't ready for that. To be honest, she didn't even want to lay eyes on him. Sharing the same airspace with him made her skin crawl.
Harold gripped Ashley's arm, begging sincerely, “Ashley, I never asked you for any favors. I even took on cases you didn't want. Getting this case cost me a lot, Ashley. What do you say?"
Ashley was at a loss of words, deep in thought.
Was it Harold who fought to bring this case in? So, Damian wasn't in the loop beforehand?
Moreover, it was just a patent dispute. As CEO of KM, he probably wouldn't participate in the process directly. The chances of meeting him one-on-one might be slim after all.
With this in mind, she nodded slightly, “Alright.”
Harold sighed in relief, “Great! Tomorrow morning, you need to swing by KM headquarters and meet with Damian.”
Ashley's face turned ashen, her voice rose in pitch, “What?”
...
Three years had passed, and Ashley never imagined she would set foot in KM International Plaza again but here she was.
Damian had a new Chief Secretary, a woman named Casey, as her name tag showed.
"Ashley, Mr. CEO is in the lounge, please wait a moment."
"Sure, thank you."
She nodded in appreciation as the secretary handed her a cup of coffee.
Damian’s office was on the 74th floor of KM Tower, its floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of Rochester. The sky outside the window was a clear, azure blue, and the room, decorated in British style, was faintly fragrant with the scent of green plants.
She vividly remembered the day of their divorce, standing right there with Damian.
He said, "Ashley, you dare deceive me, I will see your reputation ruined and ensure you got nothing."
Even the wedding ring on her finger was removed by Damian’s assistant, Spencer.
He taunted, "How does it feel, to be once at the top? Isn’t the fall even more exhilarating?"
"Is everything to your satisfaction?" came a soft, melodic voice from the suite's doorway.
Ashley was shocked and her coffee spilled in surprise. She frantically grabbed napkins to blot the coffee from her skirt.
"Ahh, that's much better."
The damp napkin was balled in her hand as she stared at the solid oak door. Was that Damian's voice?
"Don't be so rough next time; look, it's turning red now."
A woman's playful laughter, sweet and teasing sounded; clearly admonishing a man for his brusqueness.
So... Damian had asked her to be on time just to show her this intimate spectacle?
Standing up abruptly, Ashley tossed the used napkin away fiercely and turned to leave.
She wouldn't endure Damian's humiliation any longer!
Creak.
The suite door suddenly swung open, revealing a slender figure, "Oh, we have a visitor."
The woman adjusted her shirt; her skintight top clung to her chest, her skin fair and smooth, her eyes sparkling, and her face fine with faint dimples at her cheeks.
But what caught Ashley's attention was the small red mark on the woman's neck.
Ashley furrowed her brows, "Since Mr. CEO is occupied, I'll come back another day."
Damian put on his coat as he approached the office area, casting a glance at Ashley in her black business suit, "Quite the patient one, Miss Astor."
Ashley's fingers tightened around her purse straps, retorting tartly, "Quite in the mood, Mr. Hearst."
Someone was engaging in a tryst with a woman in the office!
The woman quickly said, "You've... misunderstood."
Damian cut her off, his deep eyes filled with mockery, "Haven't you always known my “mood”, Miss Astor? Or did you forget and need reminding?"
His words were brazen and scornful, effortlessly bringing up her memories.
It had been in this very place, on the sofa behind her, where their passionate entanglement had occurred.
Ashley casually fixed her hair, concealing a blush creeping up to her ears, "Mr. Hearst is joking. Since when would I be privy to your personal affairs?"
Damian snorted and motioned with his hand, "You can leave now. I need to discuss something with Miss Astor."
Jessica shrugged, fastening the pearl button on her jacket, "OK, see you tonight!"