Chapter 108


    Without waiting for Valentin to speak, Ashley quickly interjected, “Let’s not talk about it. Otherwise, it''ll lose its magic.”


    Valentin slightly raised his eyebrows.


    Ashley turned on the lights in the dining room and noticed Valentin was about to cut the cake. Her eyelid twitched involuntarily.


    “You know, maybe we shouldn’t eat this cake. Just light some candles, make a wish and that’s enough. No need to eat it.”


    She had tasted it, and the vor wasn’t great..


    Earlier, when she said she wouldn''t let him eat if heughed again, she was just joking.


    But Valentin still cut a piece, using his slender and pale fingers to pick up a small fork to taste it.


    Ashley admired his courage. “How is it? It’s terrible, isn’t it?”


    He paused, then swallowed it quietly, looking at her with a serene. expression. “It has a very unique taste.


    She thought, ‘Unique?”


    “Thanks for that.”


    Ashley intended to dispose of the unsessful cake.


    But Valentin stopped her. “I haven''t finished eating.”


    Ashley was perplexed. “You still want to eat it even though it tastes bad? Wait, are you nning to eat it all?”


    He replied as if it was only natural, “It’s your first cake for me, Ashley. Of course, | should eat it all.”


    Taken aback, Ashley blinked rapidly, her eyshes fluttering. “Just don’t me me if you end up in the hospital.”


    Upon hearing that, Valentin appeared puzzled, clearly not expecting her reaction.


    Ashley returned the cake to the table. As she turned around, she caught a glimpse of the gift from Joseph that Valentin had set


    aside.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    09:17


    While Ashley pretended not to care outwardly, her curiosity was piqued.


    Seizing an unguarded moment, she stealthily approached and held. Joseph’s gift, feigning surprise. “Oh, how did this get into my


    arms?”


    Valentin couldn''t help butugh softly. “Are you that curious?”


    Ashley’s eagerness to open it was palpable.


    Valentin, lounging in his chair with a hand resting casually on his forehead, indulgently said, “Go ahead and take a look.”


    Ashley eagerly opened the box.


    The next second, she was stunned by the contents.


    Inside were a variety of sex toys!


    Pink handcuffs and cute yet sexy cat ears, among other things, were hard to take in!


    Most outrageous was a note, which said: [Valentin, happy birthday! Wishing you and Ashley have a sex harmony!]


    The word ‘sexual harmony’ was emphasized in bold and uppercase.


    Ashley’s mouth twitched in disbelief, her expression one of sheer incredulity. No wonder Joseph had kept his gift a secret.


    “Seen enough? Are you satisfied now?”


    Valentin asked with an air of leisure, clearly teasing her.


    For a moment, Ashley was at a loss for words. She gave him a look as if he was a viin, then pulled out a piece of rope


    intended for bondage. y.


    She nced at the rope and then at Valentin.


    Valentin raised an eyebrow, his tone deliberatelynguid and teasing. you like this kind of thing, huh?”


    Hearing this, Ashley almost stumbled, ring at him fiercely before cracking a sly smile, aiming to scare him. “This is for tying


    you up.”


    He pondered for a moment and surprisingly nodded. “That''s not entirely out of the question.”


    Ashley was shocked by his reactions and hastily threw the rope back onto


    09:17


    the table. “It''s reallyte. I''m going to wash up and sleep. Good night.”


    Without looking back, she walked away.


    Watching her leave, Valentin chuckled softly from his chair, “Leaving so soon? | was still waiting for you to tie me up.”


    Ashley had almost left, but on hearing this, she stopped in her tracks, turned around, and quickly approached him. She picked up


    the rope and swiftly tied his hands.


    He thought she would not do so, didn’t he?


    Seeing her reaction, Valentin raised his eyebrow slightly in surprise, he smiled, offering no resistance as she tied him up.


    Ashley, after securing the man in the chair, pped her hands in satisfaction, pondering her next scare tactic. Just then,


    Valentin’s phone


    Tang.


    “Could you get that for me, please?”


    He asked as his hands were bound and unable to take the call.


    The phone was in his pocket. Ashley nced down briefly, then averted. her gaze, her face serious as she reached in to retrieve


    it.


    As her hand brushed his pocket, his body tensed for a moment, followed. by a light chuckle as he lowered his eyes.


    Ashley asked, confused, “What’s so funny?”


    Valentin, his smiling eyes rxed, gently shook his head.


    Ashley retrieved his phone, and the caller’s ID was ire Fox.


    It was a woman''s name.


    With his hands still tied, Valentin had Ashley answer the call and put it on speaker.


    Once it was connected, Ashley remained silent out of politeness.


    Amelodious and gentle female voice came through.


    “Valentin, happy birthday. | tried to ount for the time difference but got dyed. It’s past midnight over there now, isn’t it?”


    Valentin responded in a low voice with a note of familiarity, “It’s fine.”


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    Hearing his tone, it was clear that he was familiar with this woman, Ashley nced his way.


    The woman continued, “Here''s a bted birthday wish for you. Also, I’ve mailed a birthday gift to you. It should arrive in a few


    days.”


    “Thank you,” Valentin answered, then turned his gaze to Ashley.


    Ashley wasn’t looking at him; she was staring at the cake she had made.


    After some small talk, the woman said with a lightugh, “I won’t disturb you any longer. Goodbye for now.”


    Valentin replied, “Okay.”


    The call ended shortly after.


    But after this interruption, Ashley’s mood to yfully scare him faded, and she no longer felt like continuing this game. She


    untied the rope. from his hands.


    Valentin watched Ashley quietly, letting out a barely audible sigh since he realized that she didn’t care. He then exined, “That''s


    Joseph’s elder sister, my cousin. She’s currently abroad.”


    Realizing the reason why ire shared the samest name with Joseph, Ashley almost finished untying him but then re-tied the


    Tope.


    Valentin looked slightly bewildered.


    Ashley blinked yfully, and asked with a smile. “Can you untie yourself?”


    ncing at her, his wrists moved subtly. With a few nimble twists of hi fingers, the rope was loosened.


    Seeing this, Ashley became speechless.


    Her effort had been in vain.


    After staying upte for several nights preparing Valentin’s birthday gift, Ashley finally got a good sleep and did not get up in until


    the next. morning.


    Uponing downstairs after freshening up, she discovered that he had actually finished the unptable cake she had made.


    Noticing him sitting on the sofa, wearing the white shirt she had


    09-17


    designed, she nced over casually.


    Upon closer inspection, her gaze abruptly paused, filled with unhidden admiration.


    His figure was already impressive, and while designing the shirt, she had imagined how it would look on him.


    The result was even more striking than her imagination.


    From his Adam''s apple to his corbone, the shirt outlined an alluring silhouette. The cuffs were rolled up, exposing his strong


    arms with the blue veins, subtly entuating his strong build. Every inch of him radiated elegance.


    Ashley mused that if Valentin had been her model, she would have ventured into menswear design much sooner.


    With no ns for the afternoon and the birthday celebration ongoing, Ashley decided to spend the rest of the day out with him.


    Returning to the Kingsley Vi that evening and barely settling on the sofa, a flurry of messages from Joseph arrived.


    [Ashley, there’s trouble!]


    [Reply as soon as you see this!]


    His messages ended with a mischievous smile emoji.


    Upon seeing these, Ashley became confused.