Dazed and lost in her own thoughts, Peggy thought even harder when she heard what Lena said, 'The
only way to make Raymond forget Ashley is to make her leave the city or get married.'
If she had to choose between the two alternatives, Ashley getting married would be more dependable.
Knowing Raymond's determined behavior, for sure he would move heaven and earth just to find Ashley
if she would move to another place. Peggy grew more frustrated at the thought of her daughter's fate.
How pathetic she was in waiting and asking for the love of somebody who was in love with someone
else. Moreover, knowing Raymond's power and influence, it would be a piece of cake for him to look for
Ashley if she went missing.
However, if Ashley would get married things would be different and Raymond would be left with no
choice but to keep his distance away from her. Furthermore, Ashley's marriage would give Raymond
no excuse to contact her anymore, nor be intimate with her in any way. Worst was, he had to protect
the reputation of the Luo Group and as much as possible avoid arousing suspicion among prospects
and investors. That wouldn't be good for business.
For a long time, Peggy thought that Lena loved Raymond so much, otherwise, she wouldn't win over
Raymond from Ashley by all means.
After all, the union of the two would benefit the Mu family by far. If they would get married, the Mu
family would be endowed with great business opportunities and huge business ventures. Thus Peggy
was determined to prune every hindrance that came along the way for the marriage to be fulfilled.
Thinking of this, Peggy consoled Lena, "That's ok, sweetheart. Let mommy handle this. What you
should do is to continue to be sweet and care about Mrs. Luo like you always do and believe that you
can be a qualified daughter-in-law. Do everything to get along well with Raymond. I'm sure that he will
fall in love with you as the days go by."
With such willingness, Lena nodded her head abstractedly. Actually, she didn't care whether Raymond
would love her or not, because she didn't have a strong feeling of affection for him at all.
The reason why she seduced Raymond on the first place was, he was so fond of Ashley and seemed
to be so passionate towards her. That made Lena so jealous and furious, thinking that Ashley had no
right to be loved by a prominent man like Raymond. Thus with all her slutty skills, she seduced
Raymond and made him shift his affection from Ashley to her. Now, they were engaged and if things
would turn out favorable to her, they would get married soon.
Lena herself couldn't understand why she had a lot of suitors, but none of them was like Raymond. He
remembered everything when it came to Ashley and cared about every little detail of her life. Seeing
Ashley was so happy was torture for Lena.
All this time, Lena thought that Ashley didn't deserve an exceptional man like Raymond. Instead, this
kind of man should match her. Everything she thought was good for Ashley, she would find ways to
grab it and own it for herself, let alone such an outstanding man.
Driven by her extreme jealousy for Ashley, Lena took some mean measures even up to the point of
forcing Raymond to have sex with her and then asking him to be responsible for her.
Indeed, her strategy worked and she won. Raymond was obliged to be accountable for her.
"Mrs. Mu, Mr. Mu said he would work overtime tonight, so he will come home late. He wants me to tell
you not to wait for him," with a soft voice, Terri reported to Peggy when she sent Leo away and
returned to the living room.
"Ok, I see. You can just cook a simple meal since he won't be back for dinner," without lifting her head,
Peggy answered unconsciously.
It had been two decades since they got married, and Spencer treated Peggy very well. All these years,
he didn't have an affair or cheat on her, so Peggy trusted him, and it didn't bother her if he stayed late
or worked overtime.
"By the way, do you know that Ashley has a gorgeous male friend, Mom?" With a sudden excited jerk,
Lena suddenly remembered something and asked Peggy.
Memories of the man's face flashed back in her mind, and she couldn't forget the man since she had
met him and Ashley at the Vineyard Restaurant.
With her eyebrows raised, Lena thought, 'The man, for God's sake, was a minion of fortune, perfect in
everything.' Lena didn't know his real identity, but she already was obsessed with his handsome face.
But thinking that Ashley was his friend, Lena couldn't control her envy and fury. 'Why did Ashley who is
poor and ugly always meet fancy guys?'
"Ashley? I am too busy to care about her or her friends. Why did you ask?" Curiously, Peggy looked at
Lena and asked in a resentful tone.
Since they were kids, Lena and Ashley hadn't got on well, and no one could tell why. It was rare for
Lena to ask about Ashley out of her own initiative, so Peggy was confused.
"Nothing. I just asked casually, because the day when Raymond and I had dinner at the Vineyard, we
met Ashley and she was with a man. That's why I'd like to know if you know the man."
"Oh dear, you know your mother doesn't care about Ashley's businesses, right? Things like that make
me upset," waving her hand, Peggy complained and let out a heavy sigh.
"You shouldn't care about any other things by now. The most important thing for you to do is to win
Raymond's heart and Mrs. Luo's trust. Mrs. Luo is the key. Keep it in mind." Peggy continued. This time
her words were more emphasized.
"Fine, dear mom, I know! I guess I should be going upstairs,"
annoyed by Peggy's untimely preach, Lena retorted. She stood up and made her way upstairs for she
was bored by her mother's repeated reminders.
Meanwhile, Ashley was spending her early evening munching crisp potato chips while surfing the
internet for some news.
Unexpectedly, her phone rang and Ashley didn't expect that Peggy would call her. Her relaxed mood
was quite ruined for Peggy asked her to go out.
Knowing her mother, she figured the only reason for Peggy to ask her out again was to blame her
misbehavior on that first blind date she arranged for her. She went to the blind date and made herself
ugly on purpose to make the man lose his interest in her, and luckily she succeeded. Ashley couldn't
help herself from laughing at that incident. However, technically speaking, it was not sabotaged.
Before she met Peggy, Ashley had thought of many things that she would talk to her, but she actually
threatened her with something she had never expected.
Sitting on a cozy sofa in the Coffee shop, Ashley stirred the coffee in the cup and looked at the elegant
Peggy. With a foxy smile on her face, she asked calmly, "Should I call you Mrs. Su now?"
It was funny that Ashley visited coffee shops often recently. She went to the coffee shop almost every
day. She had no idea whether she could still fall asleep after having so many cups of coffee.
To her surprise, Peggy was nicer today, and she said more politely, "It's up to you. Any title would be
fine with me."
Like a close friend showing her great concern, Peggy asked Ashley solicitously, "What do you think of
the man who had a blind date with you last time? Do you think you two are a great match?"
"That Leo? Thanks to Mrs. Su, the man you described as an outstanding and unrivaled talent really has
broadened my outlook. I mean, this must be the only chance in my life to meet such a special man. I
truly appreciate your kindness," forcing herself not to let out a horrible laugh, Ashley weighed her words
and said slowly.
Upon hearing this, Peggy was stiff for a while. The way she described him was clear enough as to what
kind of person Leo was, otherwise, she wouldn't introduce him to Ashley.
But it didn't matter. She would be satisfied as long as she reached her goal. Ashley should get married
as soon as possible.
"Since you don't think he's not that bad, why not try to be his girlfriend? I think it will be good for both of
you," without any hint of exaggeration, Peggy suggested, which made Ashley dumb as she was struck
with astonishment.
Trying hard to believe her ears, Ashley was bewildered and stared at Peggy implausibly. 'Did Peggy
actually ask her to be Leo's girlfriend?
Does she really think she has the right to make the decision for her? Or is she so sure that she would
agree with her decision?' Ashley asked herself in bewilderment.
Observing Peggy's expressions, Ashley said ironically, "Mrs. Su, if I remember right, I think we made a
deal last time. I agreed to have a blind date with Leo, and you promised that I wouldn't have anything to
do with the Mu family anymore. Now I'm not sure whether your great wit has short memories, or I didn't
make it clear at that moment.
Well, it doesn't matter. I don't mind my unclear clarifications or your short memories, because I will
willingly help Mrs. Su review it. After all, I recorded our conversation."
Surprised by Ashley's burst of words, Peggy took a sip of coffee and said leisurely, "I know you've
recorded our conversation and I don't mean that you will connect with the Mu family again.
My point is, I'm not sure whether you still remember this." Rummaging through her purse, Peggy took
out an aquamarine jade pendant from her purse. The pendant was exactly the same as the one on
Ashley's neck.
Fixing her eyes toward the pendant on Peggy's hand, Ashley's face darkened. Hatred and frustration
brewed inside of her that her face slowly grew gloomy and grim. No one could tell what she was feeling
or even what she was thinking. Worst was what she was going to do. Her silence terrified
Peggy.
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