Chatper 323
Chapter 313 Ashley pushed open the door to the study and walked in.
Joseph saw her coming back and waved his hand in greeting. “Ashley, you’re back? Didn’t you go to have lunch with Miranda? Why are you back so early?”
But Ashley didn’t even look at him. She headed straight for Valentin behind the desk. Single and ignored, Joseph was puzzled.
Then, he saw Ashley walk over and immediately throw herself into Valentin’s arms, saying, “I don’t know why, but | couldn’t stop thinking about you while having lunch outside. So, | came back to see you as soon as | finished eating.”
Valentin glanced at her leisurely.
In his mind, he thought, ‘Now she says this.
‘When | was jealous this morning, you wouldn’t even console me with a single word.’
Ashley hugged Valentin and kissed him on the cheek. “I saw what was happening online and knew you're the best for me!” Caught off guard by their display of affection, Joseph tried to make his presence felt. “Ashley, I’m still here!” Finally, Ashley spared him a glance, blinking in confusion. “Why haven't you left yet?”
Joseph was speechless.
He frowned.
But he was determined to become an unshakable third wheel!
However, Claire arrived before he could establish himself as the third wheel.
Claire had seen the online gossip and was worried about how Ashley might feel, so she came to check on her.
After arriving and seeing that Ashley was in good spirits, along with Valentin being protective of her, Claire felt somewhat relieved.
1/6
12:59
Chapter 313
The four of them sat down on the living room sofa.
Claire furrowed her brows slightly and sighed, “Those people are really rude. How can they judge Ashley based on what Evan did?”
“Claire, you don’t know, some people are just foolish!” Joseph was visibly frustrated. “Not only do they talk about Evan, but they also bring up all the shady things the Ramos family did in the past. Ashley is clearly a victim, and now they’re associating her with the Ramos family, saying that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. It’s so unfair to Ashley!”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Claire felt the same way and tried to console Ashley. “Ashley, don’t let those people’s opinions affect you. | think they’re just mindlessly talking.”
Awarm feeling washed over Ashley, and she smiled, “I know, Claire.” In her veins flowed the blood of the Ramos family.
Evan was her biological father.
It was what she despised the most and couldn't change.
People might gossip and doubt her, but she couldn’t change the fact that Evan was her father, and she didn’t care about the opinions of those who didn’t matter.
Ever since Ashley cut ties with the Ramos family, she decided never to look back. The Ramos family was no longer her family. She just wanted to walk her path and live her own life.
Suddenly, Valentin’s warm and reassuring hand reached out and held hers.
Ashley was taken aback, turning to meet Valentin’s deep eyes, filled with tender affection.
Her heart skipped a beat as she painted a charming and lazy smile on her face, radiant and captivating. She tightly held his hand.
In Ramos Villa’s living room, Jeremy remembered the online situation from earlier and looked annoyed. “It’s all our fault that Ashley is burdened, making people think she’s not good.”
Matthew was furious, and he kicked the sofa. “We're the ones who
messed up. What does it have to do with Ashley? If anyone should be
2/6
12:59
Chapter 313
blamed, it’s us!”
Ryan sat on the sofa, looking at his phone with a furrowed brow. “You kicked me, go away.” Matthew not only didn’t leave but kicked again.
Ryan didn’t engage with him, rapidly scrolling through his social media. apps. Finally, he relaxed his brows. “I noticed that most negative comments about Ashley online have been deleted. Was it Valentin’s doing?”
Charlie nodded thoughtfully. “It should be him.” Who else could protect Ashley so boldly and decisively other than Valentin?
Jeremy scratched his head, unsure if he should be happy or worried. “It seems like Valentin is really good to Ashley, but the five of us can’t compare to Valentin alone and...”
It was frustrating. They were supposed to be Ashley's brothers but couldn’t protect her. They felt utterly useless!
Charlie patted his shoulder and turned to look at Frankie, who had been silent. He couldn’t help but ask, “Frankie, what are you thinking?”
Frankie wearily pinched his nose and said, “I’m thinking that since Ashley came back to the Ramos family, she thought she found her family, but it seems like we, her family, can only bring her misfortune...”
As soon as he said this, the brothers in the living room fell into silence.
Upon reflection, Ashley had endured hardship since coming to the Ramos family, suffering countless trials, and hadn’t had a happy day.
Jeremy felt full of regret and self-blame, sounding sad. “I don’t know if Ashley will forgive us. Now that Evan and Jessica are both in jail, | don’t know if Ashley will want to come home for a few days...”
Ryan glanced at him. “Jeremy, not to bring you down, but Ashley probably won’t agree to come back.” Jeremy’s tone was sincere. “Whether Ashley wants to come back, this will always be her home!” 4/6
12:59
Chapter 313 Frankie nodded and asked, “Today, when Ashley met Stanley, Lester helped her. Why is Lester so nice to Ashley?”
Matthew felt bitter. “I noticed, too. Lester acts like he’s Ashley’s brother. What’s wrong with him? Doesn’t he know we're Ashley’s biological brothers!”
Jeremy also felt jealous. Why wasn’t he the one protecting Ashley back then? He now regretted it. Lester returned to his hotel room.
As soon as he entered the suite, he saw George sitting on the sofa in the living area, his long fingers typing rapidly on the keyboard.
“George, what are you busy with?” Lester casually asked.
George lifted his head from the laptop, his expression cold and his lips thin. He spoke with a calm tone. “I saw what happened between Ashley and Stanley online. You did well.”
Lester raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile on his lips. “It’s rare for you to praise me.”
However, George’s following words took a different turn. “Why didn’t call and tell me at the time? | could have rushed over in time.”
4 Lester sighed, “George, calling you would have taken too long.”
you
Besides, this was a rare opportunity for Lester to stand up for Ashley. He wouldn't give it to George unless he lost his mind. George was unbeatable in business, but he seemed a bit hesitant wh came to Ashley.
He wanted to leave a good impression on Ashley, which seemed challenging...
“George, what are you busy with?” Lester asked again, seeing George’s eyes glued to the computer.
George replied, “Dad and Mom are meeting Ashley in three days, and they've prepared a lot of gifts for the meeting. I’ve arranged for a private jet to fly them over.”
Lester knew his parents well, and when George said a lot of gifts, he 5/6 12:59
Even though Lever’s parents had been photos of Ashley they Bed hey from de