Chapter 66: Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Joseph suddenly stood up with a cry and ran toward Valentin. “Valentin, Ashley is going to hit me with a cushion!”

Valentin responded without even asking why, “Then why are you running? Go and stand still.”

Joseph was left speechless.

He thought, ‘Is he telling me just to stand there and let Ashley hit me? Valentin, are you really choosing her over me?’

Then, Joseph dramatically burst into tears, wailing. “Alright, fine, it seems I’ve just wasted all these years of affection and time on you!”

Ashley was at a loss for words.

She thought, ‘Is he insane?”

Ashley put down the cushion, intending to ask Valentin what he was doing upstairs. But as she turned, she met his deep, intense gaze.

His eyes seemed to radiate heat from the depths of it.

Upon seeing this, Ashley felt a wave of warmth surge through her, causing her to look away in a fluster.

She grabbed the cushion again and hurled it at Joseph, thinking, “That’ll teach you to speak nonsense.”

After getting hit by the cushion, Joseph was puzzled.

He wondered, ‘Why is she hitting me again?”

Joseph raised his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry, I was wrong. Ashley, I’m leaving now. I won’t disturb you both!”

Once he said that, he turned and was about to flee.

Ashley narrowed her eyes and said, “Stop right there.”

Joseph froze, turning back with a pitiful look, asking, “Is there anything else, Ashley?”

Just as Ashley was about to speak, her phone rang. It was Miranda calling. Ashley then slid her finger across the screen to answer the call.

Chapter 65

By then, Valentin had realized the truth and pondered, Joseph saying Ashley missed me was just his usual nonsense, and I actually took it seriously. I thought Ashley had really missed me.

Valentin’s eyes narrowed as he gave Joseph a nonchalant glance.

Seeing this, Joseph was startled and felt a chill down his spine.

He thought anxiously, ‘Oh no, Valentin had caught on!”

After finishing her call with Miranda, Ashley was in no mood for Joseph’s antics, her brows knitting together in worry.

“What’s wrong?” Valentin asked as he approached her.

“Something happened over at Miranda’s family,” Ashley explained. “Her dad hit a car this afternoon. It wasn’t serious, and nob*dy was hurt. Just some compensation and repair costs should have sufficed. But the other car’s owner is causing trouble. He refuses to settle.”

Victor Sullivan, the damaged car’s owner, was a notorious wealthy heir known for exploiting his family’s influence to cause trouble.

No matter how much Miranda’s family offered to compensate, Victor was adamant about pressing charges and even threatened to send Miranda’s father to prison.

Miranda’s father tried to pull some strings, but no one dared to confront Victor.

It was evident that Victor was really powerful.

Miranda was distraught over the phone, crying about her father being at risk of imprisonment. Though the charges were baseless, Victor’s influence made it difficult for anyone to intervene.

Upon hearing the whole story, Joseph was speechless. “That scumbag Victor is throwing his weight around again?”

Ashley, feeling concerned, said, “Miranda was crying so much, I should go see her.”

She then pondered, ‘And see if I can help her in any way!

Joseph gestured toward Valentin with a lift of his chin and said, “Ashley, why bother going yourself? Just ask Valentin. It’s a matter of a word for him.”

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Chapter 65

Ashley raised an eyebrow and glanced at Valentin beside her.

Joseph grinned. “Valentin can sort it out with just a word.”

He thought proudly, Victor may be powerful, but he’s nothing compared

to Valentin.”‘

Ashley, quick-witted, didn’t play coy. She gently pulled Valentin to sit on the sofa and asked, “You must be tired after a long day. Can I give you a shoulder massage?”

Valentin found himself at a loss for words.

Joseph, pretending to cover his eyes, said, “You two enjoy your time. I’m out of here!”

With that, he hurriedly made his exit.

Then, Valentin and Ashley were the only ones left in the living room.

Ashley poured a cup of coffee and diligently brought it to Valentin. “Here, be careful. It’s hot.”

She knew the importance of showing respect when asking for a favor.

Valentin glanced at Ashley casually and took out his phone to make a call.

Three minutes later, Ashley received another call from Miranda.

Miranda’s voice was filled with surprise and no longer tearful.

She exclaimed, “Ashley, you don’t have to worry about me anymore. Everything’s been resolved!

“That Victor not only dropped the issue but also apologized to us profusely, saying it was all for Ashley’s sake. Ashley, you must have helped, right? Thank you so much!”

Ashley then blinked in astonishment.

She pondered, “That was quick?’

After hanging up, Ashley turned to look at Valentin beside her.

He raised his eyebrows and spoke in a teasing, husky voice. “Ashley, I had put in quite an effort to help you.”

Ashley was momentarily speechless.

Chapter 65

She thought, ‘Seriously? All you did was just make a phone call. You didn’t even leave the room or move an inch. What effort are you talking about?’

Valentin then hinted at his real intention. “So, how do you plan to repay me?”

After a pause, Ashley looked at him and suggested. “How about I massage your shoulders and serve you coffee? Is that okay?”

“That’s not enough,” Valentin replied.

“What do you want then?” Ashley asked.

Valentin suddenly took her hand, his calloused thumb gently caressing her wrist. With a light chuckle and a seductive tone, he suggested. “How about you repay me with yourself?”

Ashley was taken aback and speechless.

Ashley’s eyelashes fluttered in surprise like the wings of a startled butterfly.

After several seconds, she belatedly withdrew her hand, saying, “Then I might as well beat you up.”

Valentin was at a loss for words.

As Ashley spoke, she actually went and punched him twice.

But she was not really using much force.

Valentin looked down at the spot where Ashley hit him, then suddenly grasped her wrist again, his gaze intense and deep as he looked at her.

The air then grew thick with ambiguity.

Ashley swallowed nervously, feeling unexpectedly thirsty. “I need to tell you something.”

Valentin raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

He thought, “Tell me something? She’s quite conscientious, isn’t she?”

Ashley broke away from Valentin’s intense gaze, took a sip of water to calm herself, and said, “I ran into Kevin today. Do you remember him?”

Valentin’s expression darkened at the mention of the name.

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Chapter 65

He pondered, Kevin… Of course, I remember. Back then, Ashley wanted to call off our arranged marriage because she had a crush on a high school classmate, Kevin. That was the first time I felt jealousy.

“You met Kevin, and then what?” Valentin asked and watched her closely as if analyzing her.

“And then?” Ashley recalled briefly and reported. “We just talked for a bit and exchanged phone numbers, nothing more.”

“Exchanged phone numbers…

Valentin glanced at her phone, and a storm was brewing in his eyes.

Just then, Ashley remarked, “People really do change as they grow up. Kevin now looks even more handsome than in high school…”

Before she could finish, Valentin suddenly grasped her chin, cutting her

off.