Save Myself from Desperation

Ashley touched her nose awkwardly, feeling embarrassed about the

whole situation. She blinked sincerely. “No, there isn’t anyone special like that. You must have heard wrong.” Valentin clearly didn’t believe her. He stared at her silently, his gaze carrying an invisible aggressiveness.

The standoff lasted less than three seconds. Ashley gave up and looked down. “Alright, that’s true. But | have nothing to do with that person now.”

Valentin narrowed his eyes. “So, you had something to do with him in the past?” Ashley was exasperated, wondering why he was focusing on such a different point.

Upon hearing that, Ashley instantly recalled some memories she would rather not mention, her expression subtly changing. “Let's not talk about it. That doesn’t matter. | have nothing to do with that person now.”

Seeing her evasive demeanor, Valentin could easily guess that Ashley and that person must have had some history and it wasn’t anything normal.

Valentin frowned with a gloomy gaze. He felt that since Ashley didn’t want to talk about it, he would have to find out it himself.

After Ashley finished explaining, she hurriedly ran upstairs to her room. Just as she sat down at her vanity, her phone buzzed with a message from Joseph: [Ashley, you said you had something urgent to do. Are you done now?]

Ashley replied: [What do you want?]

Joseph texted: [If you’re done, let’s continue our chat. Who is that

extraordinary person who pursued you?]

Ashley was really fed up and texted: [Can you not be so nosy?]

Joseph whined and texted righteously: [I can’t... Gossip is the joy of life. | can’t lose it like a fish can’t live without water.] Ashley was speechless..

Angrily typing, Ashley texted: [Stop it. Valentin overheard us just now...]

Joseph was stunned for two seconds, then burst into laughter. He texted: [Valentin heard it? How did that happen?] Joseph knew Valentin must be seething with jealousy.

He figured that now Valentin knew someone had pursued Ashley, he would definitely investigate thoroughly and uncover that person's identity.

Joseph rolled his eyes cunningly as he called Ashley. Once she answered, he said in a teasing tone, “You know, Ashley, Valentin has many admirers

too.”

This time Ashley didn’t put the call on speaker and held the phone to her ear. “I know.” Joseph was surprised. “You know?”

Ashley replied calmly, “He is so handsome. Of course he had lots of admirers.” Joseph quickly asked, “So, how do you feel about that, Ashley?”

Ashley said, “What feelings should | have? | feel it's very normal.”

Now Joseph was really worried for Ashley. “Aren’t you jealous at all, Ashley?”

Ashley was shocked and puzzled. Even after Joseph hung up, her thoughts were still ina daze. She wondered if she had ever felt jealous.

That day was the weekend, and Valentin didn’t have to go to the office, so he stayed at home all day. After lunch, Ashley sat on the sofa in the living room and casually grabbed a bag of snacks from the snack cabinet.

In the past, the Kingsley Villa didn’t have these snacks, but Valentin, knowing her fondness for them, had placed snack cabinets around the house, specifically filled with her favorite treats.

Ashley tore open the snack bag, eating absentmindedly while her gaze fell on Valentin, who was not far away!

He had been handsome since he was young. The profile of his face, from his brow to his jaw, was flawlessly striking. He had a dignified and

graceful demeanor, like an exquisite statue, every move radiating an enticing charm.

Having grown up with Valentin, Ashley naturally knew he had always. been popular with women.

However, Valentin was different when he was with her.

Perhaps because he was familiar with her, he displayed a casual, leisurely ease, teasing her like teasing a kitten.

But he was extremely cold and distant with others, hardly speaking a word. Many women only admired him from afar, silently harboring their affection.

Ashley wondered if she was really jealous before.From NôvelDrama.Org.

Lost in thought, suddenly, someone blocked her view. Valentin had quietly approached her.

Ashley had to look up at him standing before her, seated on the sofa. “What are you doing?” she asked.

He stood there, his attractive legs and strong waist exuding ant indescribable elegance.

He spoke in a teasing tone with his hands casually in his pants pockets. “I just noticed someone secretly watching me.” Ashley felt a pang of nervousness. “I wasn’t secretly watching you.”

He smirked and raised an eyebrow. “Come on, here | am. Now you can look at me openly.”

Ashley’s fingers trembled slightly. She then pulled him to sit on the sofa, insisting, “I was not looking at you. Sit down. Don’t stand in front of me.”

Valentin sat down beside her on the sofa without any resistance.. He sat sideways, his elbow on the back of the sofa, his hand propping up his forehead, the veins on his hand distinctly visible. He said nothing, just casually gazed at her face.

Ashley’s cheeks flushed in less than ten seconds, and she pushed the snack bag into his lap, annoyed. “Can you stop looking at me?”

He looked down and chuckled lightly, “Ashley, you’re so beautiful. How

can | not look?” Ashley was speechless and irritated. Deciding to give Valentin a piece of her mind.

She picked up a tissue, cleaned each finger, and then turned towards him. After a silent pause, she suddenly leaned in with a mischievous smile. “Do you know why | was secretly watching you?”

He slightly raised his eyebrows. “Hmm?”

Ashley reached out, gently caressing his face with her fingertips.

Valentin was taken aback.

Ashley smiled seductively, her charming eyes captivating, “Valentin, you’re so handsome. How can | not look?” She playfully said the same words he said before, caressing his face teasingly, “Your face feels nice.”

Seeing his startled expression, Ashley snorted proudly, confident she could handle him.

After teasing him, she withdrew her hand and stood up triumphantly, intending to leave.

But the next second, Valentin caught her wrist and pulled her into his embrace.

Valentin’s eyes were darker than ever.

He placed her hand on his face, his voice low and teasing. “Since you like touching me so much. I'll let you do it more.” Ashley was shocked and confused.

He raised an eyebrow. “You said | feel nice, so touch me all you want here.”

Ashley was speechless. Then, she was forced to touch him for a long

time. She had to admit that his skin was indeed very good.

At eight in the evening, the Design Exchange Competition dinner began.

Many designers and journalists arrived early at the banquet hall, all wearing excited expressions.

The famous Attelia was attending the banquet tonight, and everyone.

wanted to meet this legendary figure in the design world.