Ashlyn looked at Arabella, her eyebrows raised, and asked, “What can I do for you?”
“Just give me five minutes,” Arabella said, walking out of the elevator and pointing to the corridor behind Ashlyn.
With a slight shrug, Ashlyn turned around and walked to the end of the corridor.
“Ashlyn, I’m sorry for what happened to you yesterday. I don’t know why my sister lied. The impact of it all is beyond our control now. Nathaniel was furious about it last night and had to be taken to the hospital,” Arabella said, looking carefully at Ashlyn.
Ashlyn smiled at her as she asked, “What are you trying to say?”
Arabella didn’t know what to do with Ashlyn’s reaction. But she also knew that there was no better way to deal with it than to ask Ashlyn to delete her tweet.
“It’s true that Raina lied. I won’t deny it. But she has paid the price for her lie. She almost died yesterday. She did something stupid and should be held responsible for it. I apologize to you on her behalf.”
As Arabella spoke, she stepped back and bowed. “I’m so sorry.”
Ashlyn had been Arabella’s sister-in-law for more than three years. But this was the first time that Arabella was being so humble before her. Seeing this side of Arabella was an eye-opening experience for her.
Ashlyn smiled but didn’t say a word.
“Once she is discharged from the hospital, I will personally bring her to you and make her apologize.”
Arabella looked up at Ashlyn, waiting for her to speak.
This move of Arabella’s made Ashlyn curious. “So, are you here to apologize to me today?”
“Yes. I came here to apologize. But I also have one request. Now that the news has spread on the Internet, there are people who like to watch the fun and pass judgment. We’ve become the laughing stock of the town. I know you can’t let it go because you still love Gordon. But do you think the situation is favorable to you? Nathaniel is now at the hospital because of you. Do you think the Jones family will let you remarry Gordon? So I have a proposition. Let’s settle this in private. You delete your tweet and I will ask Raina to apologize to you.”
Ashlyn smiled mockingly at Arabella’s words. “You said all this just because you think I want to remarry Gordon. But if I don’t want to remarry him, you’ve just wasted all your energy because I don’t care about whatever you just said.”
Arabella froze, but she quickly recovered. She took a deep breath and said, “Okay, it seems like I misunderstood you. Well, if we apologize, will you let us go? Raina is very unstable right now. You may not know this but she remained in a vegetative state for nearly five years to save Gordon. Before she had the surgery, Gordon had promised her that he would marry her. But when she woke up and found out that you were Gordon’s wife, she misunderstood everything and lied.”
Her expression shifted as she continued, “Besides, both of us know why Gordon married you. The past is in the past. Now that you have divorced Gordon, you should move on. Raina did something wrong, but the doctor said that she is depressed. I hope you will understand my concern as her sister.”
She looked hopefully at Ashlyn, obviously waiting for her answer.
Ashlyn’s smile remained. Her gaze went to the phone in Arabella’s hand. “You have made great efforts to say so many heartfelt words for your sister. I am moved by your deep affection.”
She walked over to Arabella and grabbed the phone from her hand. “If only you haven’t recorded the whole thing on your phone.”
That quick action from Ashlyn caught Arabella off guard. As soon as Arabella’s phone was taken from her, her expression altered. “Return my phone to me!”
Ashlyn pressed a button on Arabella’s phone with a grin. The interface for recording appeared on the screen.
Arabella’s face turned pale. “I think I pressed the recording button accidentally.”
Taking a quick look in her direction, Ashlyn said, “You think I would believe you?”
She would be an idiot if she believed Arabella
Ashlyn raised her eyebrow, tossed the phone back to her, and remarked, “Don’t provoke me, Arabella. You just can’t handle my short fuse.”
After that, Ashlyn walked away.
She was uninterested to know how Arabella would use the recording. She would make Arabella weep and plead if Arabella ventured to get her into trouble.
Arabella hastily picked up the phone and checked the recording.
The recording had not been deleted from the phone.
Arabella grimaced as she saw Ashlyn walking away. She wondered if Ashlyn was not worried about what she might do.
However, now that Arabella’s trick was exposed, the recording was of no further value.
Arabella had no idea how Ashlyn had figured out that she was recording. Since Ashlyn was aware of the situation, Arabella could only find another way to deal with her.
Ashlyn woke up early this morning. When she arrived, it was still before working time. Talia hadn’t yet arrived yet.
As a result of her absence from work the day before, her desk was undoubtedly already piled high with paperwork.
Once her coffee was ready, Ashlyn pulled out a paper and studied it carefully.
Now that her fever was gone, her mood improved a lot.
Talia arrived five minutes later.
“Do you feel better now, Miss Ramos?”
Ashlyn looked at her and replied, “Yes, I do. Has the bidding scheme for the land in the north of the city been made?”
Talia shook her head. “Not yet. Mr. Perkins has delegated authority to you and requested that you review the scheme first.”
Ashlyn gave a little click with her tongue. “That man is very fickle!”
Elvin had ridiculed her for being reckless two months before, but now he was asking her to make a choice.
With a nod, Talia agreed. “According to him, you’re also in charge of the New Bay Area project.”
A grin appeared on Ashlyn’s face. “Okay, I see.”
What a useless man!
Elvin might have avoided Ashlyn’s disdain if his attitude hadn’t changed so dramatically.
After Talia reported the events of the previous day’s meeting, it was already the time for the meeting this morning.
Due to Ashlyn’s absence, the bidding scheme for the land in the north of the city and the New Bay Area project were not settled yet. Today’s meeting was to deal with the two projects.
More than two hours were spent in the morning meeting. Ashlyn emerged from the conference room at noon. Elvin gave her a kind look and asked, “I heard you were unwell, Miss Ramos. Are you feeling better now?”
Ashlyn looked at him and said, “I feel fine now. Mr. Perkins, I appreciate your care.”
Elvin didn’t seem offended by her cold attitude. He urged her to take care of herself and then returned to his office.
Seeing Elvin was gone, Talia reminded Ashlyn, “Mr. Bryant is waiting for you.”
Ashlyn scowled somewhat as she heard what Talia had to say. “Carl Bryant?”
With a nod, Talia replied, “Yes.”
“It seems the Jones family wants to teach me a lesson.” Ashlyn flashed a mocking grin. “Invite him in.”
Talia came upstairs, Carl in tow.
“Miss Ramos.”
Having worked for Nathaniel for more than twenty years, Carl spoke with pride, just like his employer.
“I’m flattered to see you here, Mr. Bryant,” Ashlyn said with a snort.
Nathaniel used to look down upon Ashlyn and so did Carl. However, even though Ashlyn’s real identity was out in the open and she was no longer the girl from an ordinary family, their attitude towards her hadn’t changed much.
Ashlyn had always respected Carl since he was Nathaniel’s secretary. This was the first time that she had spoken to him in such an indifferent manner.
Carl was annoyed. He reigned it in as he remembered Nathaniel’s order and said, “Mr. Jones wants to see you. Please come with me.”
Ashlyn’s smile faded. “That’s rude. You come to my company and you ask me to come with you? I expected better from you.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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