Chapter 97 Meeting Ashley
Uncle Alvin was right. Even though Mom and Dad were open–minded and didn’t force me to take over the family business, I shouldn’t be so selfish
Besides, it was unlikely that Rowan and I would divorce anytime soon. Instead of dwelling on meaningless emotions, I should change my life and move on,
1 replied seriously, “I got it, Uncle Alvin.”
Uncle Alvin was relieved and suggested, “Charles is managing a branch office and needs some help. Why don’t you go abroad with me for some time and gain some experience? If you stay in the country, you’ll only get entangled with Rowan. But you can focus on your work if you go abroad.”
Our family businesses were similar in nature. My family business operated domestically, while my uncle’s business operated overseas. Working with my unde would be a valuable experience.
Most importantly, could step away from the complications involving Rowan and the others.
Mom and Dad looked at me hopefully. However, they didn’t say anything to pressure me. Mom had a heart condition, and Dad was about to retire. It would be ungrateful of me if I didn’t take up my own responsibilities.
“Alright, Uncle Alvin, Aunt Selena, I’ll go to Stomland with you after the New Year.” I didn’t ponder long and firmly agreed to their suggestion.
My answer made everyone happy, and we enjoyed a pleasant meal together.
After lunch, Uncle Alvin and his family left. They had their own property in Alton City. Also, they had someone to clean it regularly, so they didn’t need to stay in
As soon as they left, Mom and Dad approached me and asked, “y, are you sure you want to work with Uncle Alvin?
I held their hands and said, “Yesh Mom, Dad, I’ve thought it through. Music is indeed very important to me. It’s my true passion. But I’ve neglected it for years. There’s no need to start over 1 can still play the cello in my spare time while learning business, right?”
Dad breathed adeep sigh of rellet and silently squeezed my hand. Mom smiled with relief and said, “Alright. Your dad and I have talked about it. We won’t meddle in your relationship with Rowan. We’ll respect your decisions
“Mom, Dad, thank you” Tears brimmed in my eyes. I didn’t want to cry. Hence, I leaned against Mom’s shoulder and closed my eyes to calm my nerves.
We were less than a week from celebrating New Year. I decided not to return to my apartment. Instead, I planned to stay home for the holidays and then go abroad with Uncle Alvin and his family.
After a few days of peace, Ella’s phone call disrupted my quiet life. She sounded nervous. “vory, can we meet to talk about my daughter and Mr. Payne?
Her daughter was in the wrong. She naturally belt ashamed,
After a brief silence, I asked, “What do you want to talk about? Ashley admitted to me that she liked Rowan. And Rowan likes her, too. Why don’t we just let them find a way to get both families‘ approval and be together?
“I won’t let that happen! Over my dead body!” Ella became somewhat imitated.
She had witnessed how Rowan and I were together and even got us some herbal remedies to help with my pregnancy. Now, netizens were insulting Ashley online. As a mother, she naturally couldn’t accept it.
Her reaction was much more intense than in her previous life. I had been meticulously planning for this, and it finally paid off.
I said calmly, “Ella, we can’t force love. They’re in love. What can we do?”
Ella composed herself, and her voice became calmer. “We can’t let that happen, Ivory. As soon as Ashley was discharged from the hospital, I’ve been grounding her until she completely cuts things off with Mr. Payne
She continued, “Ivory, please talk to Mr. Payne. He’s married to an excellent wife like you. He should leave my daughter alone.”
Ashley was grounded?
she meticulously faked a suicide to make Rowan worry about her and show Faula how important she was to him. At the end of the day, Ella grounded her after she was discharged from the hospital.
If I were Ashley, I would be furious as well.
Ella was sincere, and I knew she wasn’t a bad person. Therefore, reluctantly agreed, “Alright, I’ll try to talk to Rowan. But I can’t promise he’ll listen.” “Okay Thank you, Ivory Ella hing up the phone.
I thought for a moment and then called Rowan. Then, I repeated what Ella had told me, tasked, “So, what’s your plan? Are you going to continue or give up?” Sensing the note of sarcasm in my voice, he replied coldly, “That’s none of your business.”
I snorted, “Hey, you’re the one who doesn’t want a divorce. Why are you so pissed off? Rowan, hurry up and find a way to cheer up your mistress. She’s grounded, and you’re still dragging out our divorce. She must be really angry.”
Rowan retorted, “vory, your sharp tongue never fails to get to me, does it?
Only now had I realized the advantages of being relien. The careful planning was finally paying off, keeping my mind sharp and my words even sharper
I said casually, “Come on. I just wanted to give you some advice. After all, Ashley’s young and immature. I’m worried she might do something stupid again. Anyway, it’s your call. F’in going to get my beauty sleep now.”
With that, Hung up and sprawled out on the couch.
When I was about to fallastrep, my phone rang again. It was an unknown number. I answered the phone and asked lazily, “Who is this?
*Ivory, it’s ine, Call we meet? I’m waiting for you at Serendipity,” Ashley’s usual crisp and sweet voice sounded somewhat tense and uneasy
Chapter 17 Morting Ashley
Tasked curiously, “Aren’t you supposed to be grounded?”
She whispered, “Come over and I’ll explain it.”
“Okay.”
After hanging up the phone, I drove to Serendipity.
Ashley was already there waiting for me. The baristas at the counter looked at her from time to time. They probably had recognized her from the news. She was bolder than I thought to suggest we meet here.
Seeing me arrive, Ashley ordered a black coffee for me. She looked a bit pale and weak, Smiling faintly, she said, “Ivory, I remember you always order black coffee here. Would you like something different this time?”
I sat across from her and got straight to the point. “No, thank you. Why do you want to meet?
Biting her lip, Ashley held the coffee cup with both hands. She ran her fingers along the cup’s rim, struggling to find her voice. After a while, she whispered, “Did your divorce case.. go through?
1 was a bit surprised that she wanted to meet up just to ask me this question
Her eyes were deary, However, she maintained her composure and looked directly into my eyes. “If you two are divorced, maybe my parents would be more accepting of me and Rowan