Save Myself from Desperation

Joseph was gleefully enjoying the affectionate display between Valentin and Ashley in the back seat when suddenly, a dark figure unexpectedly appeared outside the car window.

“Damn!” Joseph cursed under his breath. He was startled, his body jolting in shock. For a moment, he thought it was a ghost in the dead of night.

Gathering his courage to take a closer look, he realized it was none other than Ryan, the fool.

“What's wrong with you?” Already not fond of the Ramos family, Joseph was nearly scared out of his wits by Ryan and couldn't help but lash out irritably. “Are you out of your mind, scaring people like a ghost in the middle of the night?”

Joseph irritably wondered, ‘Where did this idiot come from? Has he been following Ashley all this time?’

At that moment, Ryan was too shocked to pay attention to Joseph’s insults. His eyes were fixed on Ashley in the back seat and the man beside her.

Ryan thought, ‘Is that...Valentin?’

He initially doubted his eyes, but after a double-take, he was sure it was Valentin, the CEO of the Kingsley Group. Ryan wondered, ‘Why is he sitting with Ashley? They seem quite familiar with each other.’

Ryan felt as if his world had crumbled, stunned as he looked through the car window at Ashley and Valentin.

The question about their relationship lingered unspoken in Ryan’s mind.

Struggling to find words, Ryan stammered, “Ashley... I... you...”

However, before he could say more, he was immediately met with Valentin’s icy and hostile gaze, which felt as cold as a harsh winter wind,

chilling him to the tile

Ryan shivered with fear, feeling a chill run down his spine as he instinctively stepped back.

He could clearly sense Valentin’s undisguised anger and contempt,

09-08

evidently protective of Ashley.

Realizing Valentin was defending Ashley left Ryan even more stunned. He stumbled over his words, saying:

the

Can

can you get out of e car a and listen to me for a minute? | promise it won't take long! | won’t take much of your time!” However, Ashley’s gaze was indifferent, not even sparing him a glance. She simply told Joseph in the driver’s seat, “Let’s go.” Joseph had been waiting for Ashley’s command. He disdainfully glanced at Ryan. “Move!”

After saying that, Joseph immediately started the car.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Ryan didn’t receive a single glance from Ashley, his eyes filling with a sense of loss. Suddenly remembering that he, Jeremy, and Matthew had speculated that Joseph was always sticking close to Ashley, possibly harboring ill intentions, he shouted a warning, “Ashley, beware of Joseph! He’s up to no good! Don’t fall prey to him!”

Hearing this, Joseph, who had just driven off, nearly lost his grip on the steering wheel. He cursed aloud in anger, wishing he could turn the car around and run Ryan over.

Ashley had also heard Ryan shout, and her eyelids twitched violently, feeling utterly livid.

She thought angrily, ‘Ryan really has some nerve to come up with

nonsense!’

Joseph hurriedly explained, his voice tinged with urgency, “Valent not true! | didn’t do anything! Don’t believe Ryan’s nonsense!” Valentin fell silent and looked straight back at him without respondi

Joseph glanced at Ashley through the rearview mirror, his face a pictu of distress. “Ashley, you have to believe me!”

“It's okay, don’t worry, no one believes a word Ryan says!” Ashley reassured him, turning to Valentin and wrapping her arm around his. “You definitely don’t believe it, right?”

Valentin remained silent and didn’t respond.

He thought sarcastically, ‘If | believed it, I'd be a fool.’

Joseph continued to glance anxiously at Valentin through the rearview mirror, thinking, ‘You have to believe me, Valentin!’ Valentin, showing signs of frustration, rubbed his forehead resignedly. “Of course, | believe you. Just focus on driving.” Hearing Valentin’s words, Joseph finally relaxed.

‘Fucking hell Ryan, are you trying to sabotage me? Just you wait!’ Joseph thought angrily.

At that moment, Ryan stood bewildered on the roadside, replaying the scene of seeing Ashley and Valentin together in the back seat of the car.

Ryan was sure that their relationship must be more than ordinary.

He remembered the Skyward Art Exhibition a while back, where Valentin went specifically for Ashley, expressing his fondness for her and Aurora.

There was also the charity dinner where Valentin had spent 10 million. dollars to buy Ashley's bracelet.

Ryan’s mind then raced to a shocking possibility, and he was blown away with goggling. He thought, ‘Could it be... Could it be that Valentin is also interested in Ashley?! Besides Joseph, Valentin also tries something inappropriate with Ashley!”

As Ryan arrived at this terrifying conclusion, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets in shock, and he then shakily pulled out his phone to call. Jeremy. “Jeremy!”

“What is it?” Jeremy asked impatiently. Ryan blurted out, “Jeremy, | just saw Ashley and Valentin...”

As soon as Jeremy heard Ashley’s name, he immediately perked up, focusing entirely on that, and asked eagerly, “You saw Ashley just now?”

“Yes, | did,” Ryan replied with a hint of bragging.

Jeremy jumped up from the couch, gripping his phone tightly. “How did you see Ashley? Where? Didn't we agree to apologize to her together? You went behind my back?! How cunning of you!”

Ryan replied, “No, it was just a coincidence. | went to see Miranda and bumped into Ashley at Miranda’s place.” Jeremy was consumed with jealousy and anger, wondering why such luck

09:08

ame his way.

tter take me along next time yvonneste see Miranda!” he ded.

torted, “Why would | take you whericoligo to see the girl | like?”

was momentarily speechless and thougbucht. Well, that’s true.

in his hand through his hair. his face adedited with worry. “Let’s not ow. | have something important to styy. just saw Ashley and i together, and they seemed quite closesc

entin?” Jeremy almost thought he was bean methings. “Are you about the Valentin i know or someone with are the same name?

rse. it’s the one you know! The CEO of the nongsley Group!” Ryan ciously, “I suspect he’s interested in Ashley asas uying to get der. possibly with ill intentions!”

then rell into a contemplative silence.

1. If it were the old days before | had come to 100 can senses, givalentin was interested in Ashley. | would have done are at vibing Ramos fanuly’s benefit, even forcing Ashley into Valentnsins bed.

Ashley is the most important person to me, my deadwarezoved nos course. | have to consider her well-being. What does vesevalentin totitolhat? But Valentin, a man of immense power, is not retrolac trifled with. If he has taken a liking to Ashley, is its it a nore lonke for her? Could Ashley be harmed?”

arityhnelly get to see our sister now...” Jeremy said, feelingling isedessuboledador the first time, unable to even meet his owinsisteist

in replied pied equally distressed.

ere.” Jeremyarty instructed. “Charlie and Matthew are here withi to disc wha what to do.”

brised. Chalic in the is there too?”

1. “Yeah, Chablic.harist has stopped restoring artifacts. He just sits sits less, and keepd badusecalling Ashley. Too bad she had blocked his his

n the gloatingobervesServes him right. We warned him not to t ey, but he always sidert wuded with Cara. Even after knowing Cara’s as

dso

intentions against Altey. Charlie still blindly supports Cara. He deserves it!” After venting his fissatations. Ryan hung up and headed to Jeremy's place.

Back at Kingsley Villal Josepha chatted with Valentin and Ashley in the living room for a while be gore he grew restless and stood up, taking his car keys and preparing to head cut.

“My dear Valentin and Ashleyoou two should get some rest. I’m off to enjoy the nightlife! Joseph aanpenriced The corner of Ashley's lips then switched slightly. “It’s so late. Aren’t you going to rest?”

josephi twirled the car keys on his inner and smiled charmingly, “Come on. What time is it now? The nigatiile is just getting started.”

Ashley was at a loss for words.

With a snap of his fingers and a wave orisis hand. Joseph declared, “I’m of then!”

After he left. Ashley turned to look at Valentin who was lounging on the sofa.

Valentin slightly raised his eyebrows and ddossavedisisi tie, speaking in a felaxed tone. “Why are you looking at me like chhath have never had nightlife before we were married, and certainlyinoonamw.”

Ashley was speechless after hearing him..

secocould tell that Valentin’s mention of “nightlife haddan immoper

motacion.

Vaitinin sighed in a seemingly innocent manner. “You don’t likenne, | ioslali ny fault.” blck waras speechless again, thinking irritably. Why does thisiscound so ampujatavive?

shley suddenly bem over, gazing at Valentin, who was sitting on the fa. She said si slightly, tugged at his tie, and with a subtle hint of rtation she said ‘ve heard that marital nightlife...can be quite e teresting. Do you want to give it a try?

Upon hearing that, Valentin’s eyes instantly turned intense.