Ashley was an adopted child. But she wasn't treated well. The family she had lived with had their own
agendas, and she had seen her family members plotting against her many times. She no longer
wanted to see the evil side in people.
Working in a big company full of devious colleagues and cutthroat competition felt a lot like living with
her family. She didn't want that anymore. She preferred to be content with her small venture — Memory
Bakery. It was her happy space and she felt free here. Besides, the bakery was doing well now. There
was no need for her to work at a big company to make a living.
Someday, if she couldn't keep Memory Bakery running, she might consider going back to a company,
but, at present, that option was, thankfully, off the table.
Listening to what she said, Andrew's grip on the steering wheel momentarily tightened. He anticipated
a definite rejection to his suggestion of working with him. So instead of voicing his thoughts, he held his
peace.
The car was moving steadily. Ashley started to feel drowsy. Her head moved slightly from side to side
involuntarily.
Andrew had kept glancing at her from time to time while driving. But this time when he looked at her, he
couldn't take his eyes off of her.
He saw Ashley holding up her head with one hand, which was resting against the car window, while
she kept nodding off like a cute chicken that was pecking.
Her fresh rosy lips were slightly parted. Her long shadowy eyelashes encircled her beautiful closed
eyes. She was asleep like a quiet angel.
Her skin was fair like the finest white jade, but at that moment it was covered in a layer of rosy pink,
which made her face look like a ripe, juicy peach enticing him to have a bite.
He couldn't tear his eyes away from Ashley. After observing this beautiful woman for a while, Andrew
found his heartbeat quickening and his throat getting itchy. It was embarrassing but he had to admit
that he was somehow turned on.
However, he tried to control himself with all his strength. He kept telling himself that he was driving.
Although he was pretty confident about his driving skills, with Ashley in the car, he wanted to ensure
that she was 100 percent safe. He reminded himself to stay focused on the road.
Andrew turned his attention back to his driving. It took him a lot of effort to get the image of Ashley
sleeping angelically out of his mind. If she were awake right now, she would have found that Andrew
had sped up the car considerably. It was as if he wanted to make it back home as soon as possible.
He drove fast but smooth in order to not wake up Ashley.
Andrew stopped the car when they arrived home. However, instead of waking her up, he unfastened
his seat belt and leaned toward her.
Ashley was still asleep. Andrew reached out and gently put her head against his shoulder. Her face
was now right under his. He intently watched her irresistible red lips. Right before he lowered head to
kiss her, Ashley stirred and slowly opened her eyes.
She was confused as she saw the face of Andrew was zoomed in. Then the familiar bushes of camellia
out of the window came into sight, which reminded her that they were already at home. She rubbed her
eyes and said in a hoarse, lazy voice, "Oh, we're back."
Andrew could now see clearly her long curly eyelashes. They blinked like a morning star, which made
her look even cuter. He could also feel her warm, sweet breath when she spoke.
But her beauty and charm now made him feel disappointed.
He could have kissed her if she hadn't woken up.
Although a little upset, Andrew could do nothing but sit tight. He noticed that Ashley was still watching
him in confusion. He explained, trying to sound nonchalant, "You fell asleep just now. I was going to
wake you up, but you woke up before I could."
Ashley bought what he said and nodded. She was about to unfasten the seat belt and get off the car,
but Andrew jumped out of the car ahead of her and rushed to the door of the villa.
Ashley watched him dash off and was puzzled again. She had no idea why he was being so hasty.
Claire was making dinner when Ashley stepped into the house, so she walked into the kitchen to help
her. They chatted merrily while cooking and the kitchen was filled with laughter.
In the meantime, Andrew was taking a cold shower upstairs. He stayed in the bathroom for about an
hour until Claire came to get him for dinner.
At the dining table, Andrew watched as Ashley happily enjoyed her food, while he reflected on their
current situation. He had to get Ashley to fall in love with him as soon as possible. It was killing him that
he could see her every day but couldn't hold her in his arms. Plus, shameful as it was, he had to admit
that she could easily turn him on. He didn't want to take cold showers every day.
Meanwhile Ashley felt that Andrew was watching her in a weird way, but when she looked up to meet
his eyes, everything seemed normal. She brushed off the thought telling herself that maybe she was
just overthinking.
Thanks to the nap in the car, Ashley wasn't feeling sleepy just yet. So after dinner and a shower, she
chose to watch TV in the living room.
She noticed that Andrew headed to his study for some reason.
Andrew had his people investigating the episode that happened on the night they first met in the hotel.
He already knew that Ashley had come into his room by accident. Nobody had sent her with a hidden
agenda.
People who wanted to harm him would have sent a calculating and scheming woman to do the job.
Ashley was obviously not that kind of a woman.
On the other hand, even if she was part of some conspiracy against him, he would make her give up
her agenda, because they were meant to fall in love with each other. He would never let her go.
A laptop was put on the desk in front of Andrew for a video call with someone.
The man on the screen was a strong foreigner whose face was big and skin was a little dark. His facial
features were menacing enough to give you an idea of how tough and fierce he might be.
Yet this tough guy was obviously shocked as he glared at Andrew in astonishment. After a brief pause,
he firmly rejected Andrew, "No, no way! An additional seven percent is already way too much. Ten
percent would never do! You are being impossible."
A seven percent increase was the biggest compromise he could make. Ten percent was definitely off
the table.
Seeing that he was getting angry, Andrew sneered and responded in an impatient tone, "Well, I insist
10 percent. If you can't accept it, maybe we shouldn't work together. I think we are done here. Bye." He
obviously didn't want to waste time with him.
Seeing that Andrew was about to hang up, the man was afraid he might lose the partnership, so he
stopped him immediately, "Wait, just give me a minute."
Then he turned around and consulted with his other senior executives.
"Ding!"
Suddenly Andrew heard a sound of his email reminder on his phone. It was from Johnny.
Johnny had probably got something about Ashley that he wanted to know. He couldn't wait to check the
email, so he once again turned to the screen impatiently, "I'm sorry, but you only have three seconds
left. Please be quick!"
Seeing Andrew's impatient look, the man knew if he didn't make a compromise here, he would lose the
business opportunity with Andrew. So with his teeth set, he finally conceded, "All right. Ten percent
increase. You got it."
Pleased that he got what he wanted, Andrew hung up without hesitation. At once he turned to his
phone to check Johnny's email.
Although he had inquired about Ashley's background and known the main events that happened during
her growing years, he didn't know what she did while he was away on business.
Clearly, Johnny had done a great job. The information he had collected was very thorough. Andrew
learned how Ashley had quit her job at the Luo Group, and how Lena kept causing difficulties for
Ashley and Ellie when they wanted to rent a place for Memory Bakery.
However, when he saw photos of Ashley having hotpot and going shopping with Greyson, his face
instantly became hard. He didn't even know when they got to know each other.
Then the pictures of Ashley being pestered by Raymond came into sight. It had happened just after he
left her this morning, which made him furious. Andrew glared at Raymond in the image, thinking if only
his blazing eyes could kill him through this screen!
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