Chapter 497

Chapter 497:

So why didn’t Ashton keep his distance?

And if he thought there was nothing wrong, why didn’t he tell me about her? I’d told him about the guy who hit on me—which, fine, was true, but it happened on my first day at Valmont, not yesterday.

Still, wasn’t that a hint? Wasn’t I basically saying, “Look, I’m honest with you—can you be the same with me p>

Either he didn’t catch the hint, or he did and chose to ignore it.

I was tempted to pull out my phone and confront him with the photo. But that felt petty. Jealous. Stalker-ish.

And shouldn’t he be the one to bring it up? Like he had with Rowan Hale, when she tried to mislead the public into thinking they were together? Where was that openness now? What made Red Dress Woman different?

Too many questions. Not enough answers.

No wonder I’d barely slept.

Not that I dared toss or turn—then he’d know I was awake, and that would just lead to more questions.

I stared at the ceiling and counted sheep until my eyes finally shut.

“Morning,” Ashton said.

I rolled over to face him.

How could he look so alert at 6 a.m p>

But the slight shadows under his eyes gave him away. He hadn’t slept well either.

“Serves you right,” I thought.

“Morning p>

I dragged myself out of bed. The headache was still there, pulsing harder when I glanced at my laptop. I quickly looked away and promised myself I wouldn’t touch the statements until after breakfast.

“What’s your plan today? Also, you haven’t told me how long you’re staying,” I asked, sipping coffee and nibbling a croissant.

Discover what’s new on gαℓησv𝒆ls․com

“You that eager to get rid of me? I’ve been here two days p>

“No. But Skyline probably needs you, and I don’t want you staying just for me. It makes me feel guilty. Like I’m dragging you down p>

“You’re not. And I’ve got some business here to handle p>

The flicker of something grim in his eyes made it clear: this wasn’t the usual kind of business.

“I want you to meet a designer,” Ashton said. “I gave him your measurements. He’s made you a wedding dress. Try it on. If you hate it, we’ll find someone else p>

“Sure. It’s Friday. I finish early. Can we go today p>

“Of course. Pick you up at four p>

“I’ll meet you here instead p>

After breakfast, he had to leave early to take care of that mysterious ‘business.’ The man who drove me to work was unfamiliar, but I was used to Ashton summoning new staff out of thin air.

The driver kept sneaking looks at me in the mirror. I noticed, could’ve called him out on it, but decided he was probably just curious about his boss’s wife.

When I told Fabrizio I was seriously considering investing in Valmont, he looked like he might leap over the desk and kiss me.

“It’ll still take me a few days to get through the statements,” I said. “My, ah, accountant’s busy at the moment p>