With her heart beating at a quickened pace, Ashley quickly ran away from Andrew's car.
After a while, noticing that she had made a safe distance away from the car, she stopped at a place
where no one was around. Ashley panted at the thought of the scene that Andrew was kissing her
passionately, which kept on flashing her mind.
She and Andrew had just met each other a few times. Except for that night when they slept together in
the hotel, Ashley had never looked at Andrew so closely when he kissed her. She had to close her
eyes because of the overwhelming sensation.
Being intimate with somebody wasn't new to Ashley, when she was in love with Raymond, they had
intimate moments too.
But never did she feel so shy with her face burning red and her heart beating fast as horses racing on
her heart.
'Maybe it's because Andrew is more handsome than Raymond, ' thought Ashley. She was trying hard
to find an excuse to persuade herself into ignoring the strange feeling in her heart.
After a while, with the help of the chilly wind and the quiet place, Ashley calmed herself down and took
a taxi to the cake shop. On her way there, Ashley suddenly thought of something and asked the driver
to turn around.
Then, she called someone whom she dreaded to be acquainted with.
When the call was answered on the other end, it seemed that Peggy was busy doing something. It
sounded a bit noisy and erratic.
Hearing her mother's voice, Ashley came straight to her purpose why she called Peggy. "Mrs. Mu, I
have thought carefully about the thing you said. I want to talk to you later. By the way, remember to
bring the jade pendant. I will wait for you in the coffee shop where we met last time."
After saying that, Ashley hung up the phone before Peggy could say anything.
'I don't have anything to do with the Mu family now. Why do I bother myself to listen to Peggy? After all,
they haven't taken any responsibility for me except for adopting me, ' thought Ashley.
Lena and Peggy were shopping in a large-scale brand clothing store. When Peggy's mobile phone
rang and she noticed Ashley's name on the screen, she grew impatient and was determined to not
answer the phone. But moments later, thinking of the possibility that Ashley might want to talk about the
deal they had made, Peggy changed her mind and finally answered the phone.
As she expected, Ashley mentioned that thing as soon as their lines connected. Hearing Ashley's
words and sensing her eagerness over the phone, Peggy wasn't so happy for being bothered by
Ashley while shopping.
And she didn't expect that Ashley would quickly hang up the phone before she could even respond.
Staring at her phone in disdain, Peggy's face turned gloomy. 'Ashley is really annoying!'
Noticing the change of Peggy's facial expression, Lena looked at the angry Peggy and asked, "Mother,
what happened? Who called you?"
Looking at Lena, Peggy turned to be tender and spoke in a sarcastic tone, "Who called me? No one
would bother me now except the little bitch, Ashley. She has agreed to do as what I said. I gave her a
week to do it.
It seems that the jade pendant is really important to her." Peggy responded happily thinking that she
would succeed in her plan. 'Otherwise, why did she agree to do as what I said?' thought Peggy.
"Mother, aren't you kidding me? Did Ashley really agree to get married to someone in one week time?"
Hearing Peggy's words, Lena couldn't help looking at her in disbelief.
"Yes, of course. Otherwise, she won't call me now. Well, would you like to go with me? I'm going to
meet her at the café."
No amiable with the idea, Lena curled her lips and frowned her lovely face. "No, I won't. You know I feel
sick every time I see her."
Knowing that she couldn't do anything to change her mind, Peggy didn't say anything more to persuade
Lena.
"Then you should continue shopping here. Raymond's father will be celebrating his birthday this
coming week. You'd better choose a surprising gift for him," With a whispered voice, Peggy reminded
Lena before getting ready to leave.
"Okay, I'll do that, Have your way now, Mother. Make sure that woman gets married as soon as
possible so she can't bother us again," Excited to be not bothered by Ashley, Lena couldn't help urging
her to meet with her right away.
However, when Peggy turned around and was about to leave, Lena stopped her.
Pondering for a while, Lena finally decided to go with Peggy. She assumed it would be fun to see for
herself how would Ashley look as she accepted her demise. Lena really wanted to witness Ashley's
misfortune.
It was hard for every woman to accept the fact of getting married to a strange man, especially with the
one you didn't love at all. Lena wanted to see how upset Ashley would be.
Ashley was always calm in front of others, showing that she cared about nothing. That was the most
annoying thing for Lena.
'I have to witness how she takes off her mask and becomes sad, ' thought Lena.
Walking their way out of the store, Lena and Peggy went back home first to take the jade pendant and
then went to the place where they would meet Ashley.
"Mother, do you really have to give the jade pendant back to Ashley?" Looking at the glittering and
translucent aquamarine jade pendant, Lena was unwilling to give it back to Ashley.
Knowing what Lena was thinking, Peggy spoke, "Don't upset the plan. I have agreed to give it back to
that little bitch. Besides, think about it, honey. When you marry Raymond, the heir of the Luo Group,
you can buy as many jade pendants as you want. Moreover, this jade pendant is of cheap quality.
Giving it to her won't cause us any loss."
Having been married to Spencer for so many years, Peggy had a thorough understanding of the best
brands around the country. Judging from her expertise, although the jade pendant looked beautiful, its
gem was cheap without any special luster and therefore would not cost that much.
Spencer had no idea about the jade pendant. If he had known about it, he would have never treated
Ashley like how he did now.
That was why Peggy would regret allowing Ashley to sever her relationship with the Mu family in the
future.
Anyway, no one could expect what would happen next and at present, Peggy, for all sake, would never
allow anyone to hurt her dear daughter.
Inside the coffee shop, there were only a few customers and the ambiance was warm and cozy. The air
was filled with the strong aroma of brewed coffee and sweet pastries.
Ashley was absent-mindedly looking at the marriage license on the table. With a spoon in her hand
slowly stirring the coffee in the cup, Ashley was lost in her thoughts. She hadn't noticed that Lena and
Peggy had entered the coffee shop.
Only when they had sat down, facing her on the table did she come to her sense.
Seeing Ashley's facial expression and the marriage license on the table, Lena thought Ashley must
have married a strange man casually as she expected. For sure, her husband couldn't be comparable
to Raymond in any aspect, seeing that she was very sad now.
At the thought of it all, Lena couldn't help but be glad. 'Oh, Ashley, even if Raymond still loves you and
you used to be in love, you are married to another man now. And your husband couldn't be compared
to Raymond, in any way!' thought Lena.
Looking down, Peggy also saw the marriage license on the table. She couldn't help feeling happy for
having a successful deal with Ashley. She beamed with pride for her brilliant idea.
Maintaining her composure, Peggy pretended to know nothing and sat calmly down, trying to behave
like a noble and elegant lady. "Well, why did you call me and invite me to come here?"
Eager to hear what she assumed to be a piece of good news for her, Lena sat down beside Peggy. At
normal days, Lena used to look at Ashley with disdain even if she hadn't done her any wrong. Today,
however, Lena's smile was from ear to ear and she eyed Ashley like she was her best friend.
Putting the spoon aside, Ashley stopped stirring her coffee. With furrowed eyebrows, she picked up the
marriage license on the table and put it in front of Peggy. "I have done what you wanted. Now, give the
jade pendant back to me."
Before Peggy could speak, Lena couldn't help yelling, "Ashley, how can you talk to my mother in such a
rude manner?" Seeing that Ashley wasn't as sad as she expected, Lena lost her temper. Ashley's
calmness and confidence irritated her.
'I am the heir of the Mu Group. I have a better family background and I'm definitely more excellent than
Ashley. I should be the most eye-catching, the attention-getter. Ashley couldn't be leveled to me, '
thought Lena silently.
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