Save Myself from Desperation

Ashley pressed her forehead, feeling a headache. This is bad. I can’t explain this, she thought. She knew that no one would easily believe if she said Valentin was just there to chat or discuss work.

While Ashley was stressed, Valentin looked calm and collected, as usual. He even seemed to want everyone to know about his relationship with Ashley.

He confidently walked Ashley out of the room in an eerie silence, closing the door slowly and gracefully, showing off his elegance.

Then, he turned to Miranda and Bryce, who were still stunned in the hallway. Since they were Ashley’s friends, his tone was indifferent but not too distant. “Is there something else?”

Miranda, recovering from her shock, glanced cautiously at Valentin and swallowed nervously before turning to Ashley with a mix of surprise and concern. “Ashley, you and Mr. Kingsley...”

Ashley knew what Miranda was thinking just by her look. She was thinking about the unspoken rules of the industry. “Don’t jump to conclusions! It’s not what you think! It’s not...” Ashley started to explain her relationship with Valentin.

She wanted to clear up the misunderstanding, especially since Valentin had just come out of her room early in the morning. She couldn’t let Miranda think it was something scandalous.

But halfway through, Ashley remembered that Valentin had been in love with someone else for over ten years and never got together with them.

Revealing her marriage to Valentin might not be a good idea then.

And then there was the matter of their divorce...

Since he was in love with someone else, divorcing seemed necessary.

Ashley was lost in her thoughts and brought to reality by Valentin’s deep and cold voice. “Unspoken rules?”Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

His voice was filled with a chill, scaring Miranda a bit.

Valentin’s attitude towards Ashley was so different from that of others. He was playing double standards. Ashley quickly tugged on Valentin’s clothes.

Valentin looked down at her, then took her hand as if no one else was there. Looking at Miranda and Bryce, he emphasized each word. “We’re married.”

Ashley was shocked.

At that moment, Miranda’s eyes widened in disbelief, completely stunned.

She couldn't believe her ears.

Married?

Bryce was equally shocked and looked back and forth between Ashley and Valentin, finally settling on Ashley with a more serious look. “Ashley, you...”

“Ah!” Miranda snapped back to reality, about to scream excitedly.

Ashley quickly let go of Valentin and dashed over to Miranda, covering her mouth. “Calm down.”

Miranda looked up with big, sad eyes, wondering how she could possibly calm down.

It wasn’t a secret affair.

It wasn’t a boyfriend-girlfriend thing.

They were married!

They had already tied the knot!

Her best friend had secretly married a top-notch tycoon! Who could stay calm knowing that?!

While comforting Miranda, Ashley glanced at Bryce. Thankfully, he seemed composed, looking down, lost in thought. “I’m sorry for keeping this from you,” Ashley said, full of remorse.

Miranda shook her head quickly, grabbed Ashley’s hand away from her mouth, and said, “Don’t be sorry, Ashley, I totally get it. It's normal for you to keep it a secret!”

After saying that, Miranda took Ashley’s hand again and covered her own mouth, blinking her big, innocent eyes at her. Miranda’s cute and clueless look was simply too adorable, Ashley couldn’t help but laugh, hugging Miranda tenderly.

Valentin watched this scene, puzzled.

He glanced at his hand, which Ashley had let go of, and felt ignored, seeing Ashley hugging Miranda closely...

Did she just leave him to hug another woman?

Feeling close to Ashley, Miranda suddenly felt Valentin's doomy stare and quickly stepped out of Ashley’s embrace. Ashley actually hadn’t had enough of the hug.

Excitement didn’t die down for Miranda, even during breakfast. Everyone went to the hotel restaurant together.

Miranda and Lester were also at the restaurant. Joseph and Eiden had already come, but bored, they still sat there bickering.

The group decided to sit down together for breakfast.

Miranda’s curiosity was at its peak. She clearly had many questions for Ashley but didn’t dare to ask recklessly in front of Valentin.

Feeling helpless, Ashley glanced towards Bryce, who was calm and composed without making a sound.

Finally, Miranda couldn’t hold back anymore. She cleverly found an excuse. “Ashley, aren’t we going back to our country this afternoon? Let’s buy some souvenirs nearby. Will you come with me?”

Ashley thought answering some of Miranda’s questions wouldn’t be bad and relaxed, so she nodded. “Okay.” She had wanted to ask about the person he liked but decided to wait until they went shopping.

After all, shopping wouldn't take too long.

After breakfast, Ashley pulled Valentin aside and informed him discreetly that she would go buy some souvenirs nearby with Miranda. Valentin, however, was worried. “I’ll go with you,” he insisted.

Ashley was startled for a moment before realizing what he was worried about and waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t worry. Based on what I know about Andrew, I’m completely sure he won’t come looking for me.”

Valentin narrowed his eyes slightly. “You know him that well?”

Ashley didn’t respond.

He asked again, his tone more cautious. “Ashley, do you understand me as well as him?”

Ashley was even more speechless. How did we end up talking about this?

Not wanting to argue or make a fuss about going out and causing others to worry, Ashley gave in. “Alright, if you’re that worried, I won’t go out.”

“That’s right!” Ashley suddenly brightened up. “I’ll just go directly to Miranda’s room and talk to her. After all, Miranda just wanted to ask her own questions, and it didn’t matter where they talked.”

“You go back to your room. I’m going to see Miranda,” Ashley said and turned to run off to Miranda.

Valentin was left behind, feeling ignored and at a loss for words.