After returning to the hotel, Joseph checked his phone and grinned. “Oh, Valentin is finally here! I''ll head back to my room right
now so as not to disturb you guys, okay?”
Ashley found it strange and asked, “Who said you’re disturbing?”
Joseph patted his chest proudly. “I know you don’t mind me, but | have a keen sense. | don’t want to be a third wheel.”
Ashley was speechless.
Joseph approached her with a meaningful smirk. “Valentin definitely doesn’t want me to be a third wheel either.”
Ashley rolled her eyes at him.
Before she could respond, Joseph swiftly disappeared.
Ashley stroked her forehead helplessly and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, from which she could enjoy the breathtaking
view of the entire resort.
She had to admit that the scenery here was indeed impressive.
Ashley admired the scenery for a while, then turned around to scan the room. She instantly felt something was off when her gaze
landed on the only bed in the room.
At this moment, the room door was knocked open.
Valentin had returned.
His appearance was overwhelmingly handsome, especially in his white shirt. He had broad shoulders, a muscr waist, and
long legs that exuded an elegant and noble temperament.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Valentin casually reached out and loosened his tie.
His well-defined fingers and slightly protruding Adam’s apple conveyed a unique charm.
Noticing Ashley staring at him without blinking. Valentin raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, “Why have you been staring at
me?”
Ashley blushed at the unexpected question and retorted, “Stop making things up.”
Valentin loosened his tie again and asked carelessly, “Alright, then. Do you have something to tell
me?”
Ashley’s eyshes trembled as she nced at him. She cleared her throat awkwardly and said. “Um. I''d like to thank you for
ying that video.”
Valentin’s gaze turned abruptly intense at her words.
After watching the surveince video, he couldn’t help but feel distressed.
Seeing Ashley shielding Jeremy from the falling chandelier, her severe injuries made him. heartbroken. If Valentin were present,
he would willingly bear all that pain for Ashley.
‘How could that loser be worthy of Ashley hurting herself so badly? He doesn’t deserve her painstaking protection!’ Valentin
thought.
Approaching Ashley, Valentin reached out and gently touched her back. His eyes filled with tender concern. “Does it hurt?” He
asked.
Ashley was caught off guard. It took her a moment to realize that his fingers were tracing the spot where the chandelier had
pierced her back when she carried Jeremy.
Meeting Valentin’s gentle gaze, her heart suddenly skipped a beat.
13
12:19
Shaking her head lightly, she replied. “It doesn’t hurt anymore. There’s not even a scar now.”
Valentin looked down at her, his long eyshes concealing the bloodthirsty emotions in his eyes.
He reached into his pocket and took out a delicately carved wooden box. Then, he opened it, revealing a unique and beautiful
bracelet lying inside.
It was a silver chain adorned with two bean-shaped rubies.
The rubies had a peculiar and translucent red color that gleamed warmly under the light.
Valentin took her wrist, his expression full of carefulness, and ced the bracelet on her delicate
wrist.
“What''s this?” Ashley blinked, looking at him with confusion.
She wondered why he suddenly gave her a bracelet.
Valentin replied casually, as if he had randomly chosen this bracelet from a stall at the night market. “I knew it would look good
on you, so | bought it.”
In reality, the bracelet was rmended by a fortune-teller.
Valentin wasn’t superstitious, but he didn’t want to see Ashley get hurt or face any sort of danger again.
The red rubies were said to bring good fortune and protect against disasters. Even if she were in danger, her misfortune could be
transferred to him.
Ashley remained blissfully unaware, absentmindedly twirling the bracelet around her wrist.
Reflecting on the past, she had endured quite a bit after being reimed by the Ramos family. An anonymous message had
once reached her, offering a way out from the clutches of the Ramos family.
Unfortunately, fueled by her desperate yearning for familial bonds, Ashley had dismissed the message, blinded to the true nature
of the Ramos family members.
Subsequently, she sensed an unseen benefactor, someone who had shielded her from numerous
trials.
Ashley couldn’t help but wonder who this mysterious figure was.
If she ever found out, gratitude would be expressed, perhaps even in the form of a heartfelt dinner.
Yet Ashley had no idea that this mysterious figure was right in front of her. Valentin remainedposed and inquired, “Joseph
mentioned that Jeremy is seeking your forgiveness. What''s your stance on the matter?”
Ashley pondered for a while. Except for Jeremy, everyone else in the Ramos family probably had all learned by now that their
precious daughter was nothing but a liar.
After contemting, Ashley found herself indifferent to the fate of Jessica within the Ramos family. Whether they med her or
forgave her and continued to shower her with affection was inconsequential.
As for Jeremy, forgiveness was not on her agenda.
Ashley’s smile exuded a touch of elegance. The corners of her attractive eyes slightly raised up as she said, “I’ve already
severed ties with the Ramos family. They are no longer my concern. Let them be.”
Observing her carefree demeanor, Valentin felt a bit distressed. He couldn’t help but touch her head.
Ashley must have faced countless disappointments to have reached such a state of eptance.
However, it didn’t matter.
12.19
Valentin had resolved to be her family from this point forward.
Ashley rolled her eyes swiftly before she smiled once again, “Thanks again for helping with the Jeremy video.”
Valentin responded casually, “It was just a small favor. No need for thanks.”
Ashley smirked, feeling rather amused. Valentin made his work sound easy, but ording to Joseph, he had spent several days
investigating to retrieve that video.”
“| still want to express my gratitude. Locating that video couldn''t have been easy.”
Valentin chuckled softly and swallowed. “Since you insist on thanking me, how about...calling me ‘honey‘ to show your
appreciation?”
Ashley was briefly stunned.
“What? Honey?”
She couldn''t believe what she had heard.
Ashley instantly blushed, almost burned out by embarrassment. “What on earth are you talking
about!”
Valentin looked at her calmly, shing her a casual and alluring smile. “Didn’t you mention wanting to thank me?”
Pausing for a moment, Ashley hesitated.
The sultry undertones in Valentin’s voice, low and captivating, echoed with each word he uttered. “Come on. Do as | said.”
The blush on Ashley’s face had now reached her carlobes. She shot him an exasperated look. “I never said | would thank you
like that. Stop daydreaming. Besides, why should I...
Ashley was simply too embarrassed to address Valentin with any intimate title.
Valentin tilted his head slightly, innocence ying on his features. “But you are my wife. What’s the matter with...”
But his words only made Ashley''s eyes widen even more.