Chapter 191


    In a moment, Ashley felt like her feet were nailed to the ground, standing still without moving.


    She did some math in her head. If Valentin had liked someone for over a decade, that meant he had had feelings for her since


    his school days.


    That was a long time.


    Ashley couldn''t quite describe how she felt. She was initially starving, but now she didn’t even feel like eating.


    On one hand, she wanted to figure out who Valentin liked.


    On the other hand, with Valentin’s qualities, she thought if he had liked a girl for over ten years and she hadn''t reciprocated,


    maybe she was just not seeing his worth.


    But Joseph’s tone was full of mncholy and wistfulness, not sounding like he was joking.


    It seemed Valentin did have someone he’d liked for over ten years and hadn''t won over.


    Ashley had hoped to hear more from Joseph, but he only said that one thing before shifting the topic away from Valentin’s secret


    crush.


    Ashley was almost frantic. ‘How can you just stop talking in the middle of a story? It’s so frustrating!”


    Just then, Jaden finished eating and stood up from his seat. Turning around, he saw Ashley in the restaurant and waved her


    over. “Are you here to eat? Come and join us!”


    With Jaden’s gesture, Joseph also noticed Ashley and nced behind her. “Where’s Valentin? Didn’t hee with you?”


    “He’s handling a work call,” Ashley replied.


    “That’s fine. Valentin will probably join us soon. Ashley, let me tell you, today’s breakfast is exceptionally delicious! | suspect they


    might have changed the chef. You must try it! It’s so much better than yesterday''s!”


    But Ashley was in no mood to eat because she was curious. She walked over and sat down at the table, hesitated for a couple of


    seconds, and then couldn’t help but ask, “Joseph, you were saying...”


    Joseph was very enthusiastic, even helping Ashley with pouring water. He stopped when he heard her start to speak and eagerly


    asked, “What?”


    Jaden also looked over at her.


    Under their curious eyes, Ashley suddenly felt it might be better to ask Valentin himself about this.


    She thought, ‘Yeah, | should just ask him directly.


    “It''s okay,” Ashley said nonchntly as she stood up. “You and eat. I’m going back to find Valentin.”


    After saying this, she turned and left the hotel restaurant.


    guys go ahead


    Joseph, lookingpletely confused, scratched his head. ‘Why did she leave without eating breakfast?


    ‘What did she want to ask me just now?’


    Back in her room, Ashley saw Valentin still on the phone, speaking in business jargon.


    Seeing her return, Valentin raised his eyebrows in surprise and asked with his eyes, ‘Weren''t you hungry? Why didn’t you have


    breakfast?”Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Ashley took out her phone, typed a note, and showed him the screen.


    [I have something to ask you.]


    After reading it, Valentin nced at Ashley, nodded slightly, and sped up his work report on the phone.


    Ashley sat on the bed, observing Valentin, who was standing by the window on the phone.


    He wore a clean, white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his well-defined forearms. His skin, with its visible


    blue veins, somehow looked irresistibly sexy.


    The morning sunlight streaming through the window made him look more graceful and poised.


    Ashley’s gaze wandered over him from head to toe, involuntarily resting on Valentin’s stunningly handsome face.


    From his perfectly shaped eyebrows to his straight nose, her gaze finally settled on his thin lips that moved as he spoke.


    Chapter 191


    She had to admit, his lips were beautiful. They were not too thin and had a pale red color.


    They looked so kissable.


    Ashley’s mind uncontrobly drifted to the times they had kissed.


    Valentin might look cool and aloof, but his lips felt soft and desirable...


    Snapping back to reality, Ashley realized what she was thinking, and her checks flushed, turning as red and warm as sun-baked


    Toses..


    She pped herself on the face in frustration.


    “What am | thinking!’ she scolded herself.


    Still on the phone, Valentin caught a glimpse of Ashley pping herself and hesitated for a moment, then couldn''t help but


    chuckle softly.


    His chuckling, with his eyes lowered, was incredibly charming.


    Ashley’s cheeks burned even hotter, and she gave him an annoyed re.


    It was more of a soft look than a re, without any real threat behind it.


    Valentin’s subordinate on the other end of the phone heard the sudden.ughter and stopped talking, confused. ‘What


    happened? Was there something funny about the report, or did | say something wrong?’


    This made the subordinate very nervous.


    Valentin gave a few instructions and quickly hung up the phone, walking over to her.


    Looking at Ashley sitting on the bed, he bent down, his back forming an attractive line, and looked at her with a smile in his


    eyes..


    He raised a hand and gently touched her forehead with the back of his cold hand, teasing her.


    “Come on, let me see, have you gone crazy? Why are you hitting yourself?”


    Ashley felt shy.


    She leaned her head back to avoid his hand. “You''re the crazy one!” she retorted.


    Valentin’s eyebrows lifted almost imperceptibly, his voice casual and


    yful. “So, what are you thinking about? Why are you hitting yourself?”


    “| hit myself because | want to. | hit myself when I’m happy, and | hit myself when I’m not. It’s none of your business!” Ashley


    retorted stubbornly.


    “Oh, is that so?” Valentin drew out his words, slowly standing up straight his gaze lowered but fixed on her. “Maybe next time,


    someone els should do the hitting.”


    “Someone else? You want me to hit you?” Ashley asked suspiciously.


    Valentin’s eyes sparkled with a hint of a smile, his deep, maic voice more captivating than ever. “I can’t just stand by and


    watch you hit yourself. Since I’m your husband, Ill have to take it for you.”


    Ashley blushed even more.


    She thought, “Even if you''re willing, | wouldn’t do it. I’m not into domestic violence! Why say you''re my husband...”


    Remembering something earlier, Ashley scratched her head, stood up, and cleared her throat. “Valentin, | have something to ask


    you.”


    He nced down at the time and, pulling her along, suggested. “Aren’t you hungry? Let’s talk over food.”


    Ashley wasn’t really hungry anymore, but she nodded.


    “Sure. It’s about what | heard Joseph saying at the restaurant earlier...”


    Just as Ashley started to speak, Valentin opened the door. They ran into Bryce and Miranda in the hallway as they were about to


    leave the room.


    Bryce stopped in his tracks, first checking the room number to confirm it was indeed Ashley’s, then a look of utter disbelief


    crossed his face as he stared, speechless, at Valentining out of Ashley’s room early in the morning.


    Under what circumstances would a mane out of a woman’s room in the early morning? What exactly was their rtionship?


    Miranda was stunned, her eyes wide and mouth agape.


    She couldn''t believe what she was seeing.


    Valentin had rushed over from his country yesterday to rescue Ashley from Andrew, which Miranda found odd enough. Even a


    devoted fan


    wouldn''t go to such lengths for their idol.


    And now, early in the morning, she saw Valentining out of Ashley''s


    room...


    Did they spend the night together?


    Miranda shivered.


    Could she be right?


    After everything Valentin had done for Ashley, could it be that he had ulterior motives?


    “Ashley, you and Mr. Kingsley...”