Chapter 81
Ashley had no idea how long time had passed.
She got up from Valentinâs embrace, her face flushed red, feeling both shy and embarrassed. She was even close to tears, appearing delicate and charming. âValentin, youâ¦â
She paused, then shouted in a fit of bashful anger, âIâm giving you the cold shoulder! No, Iâm cutting ties with you! Forever!â
Valentin slightly raised his eyebrows and stood up.
Ashley suddenly became nervous, fearing he might k*ss her again, and immediately turned and ran out of the study.
She went back into her room, leaning against the door, breathing erratically, with weak legs.
She couldnât help but touch her l*ps, her heart racing and taking a long time to calm down.
The next morning, Joseph, dressed in a flashy pink shirt and hooking his sunglasses with his slender fingers, walked into the living room with a carefree demeanor. âGood morning, Ashley. Remember we planned to go to the club? Iâm here to pick you both up!â
Ashley, âBoth of us?â
Joseph glanced at Valentin sitting on the couch, smiling. âYes, you and Valentin.
Ashley frowned in annoyance, âHeâs not going.â
Valentin was quite surprised.
He thought to himself, âSheesh, I really upset Ashley yesterday.â
âValentin, arenât you coming?â
Joseph wanted to ask Valentin again, but Ashley quickly pulled him out. the door.
Joseph had no choice but to send a text: [Valentin, are you really not coming?]
Valentin replied: [Take her to have fun first. Iâll come over later.]
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Joseph sent back: [Okay, waiting for you! Hurry up!]
at
On their way to the club, Joseph occasionally glanced Ashley in the passenger seat, his eyes rolling around inquisitively before he ventured to ask, âAshley, did you and Valentin have a fight?â
Ashley rested her elbow on the car window and supported her forehead. âWhy do you ask?â
Joseph looked up, his tone smug. âYou left Valentin alone at home just now. Iâm so clever. I figured it out!â
Ashley glanced at him. âWhy are you so nosy?â
Joseph raised an eyebrow, grinning playfully. âGossip brings joy! Ashley, come on. Did you fight with Valentin or not?â
Ashley replied, âItâs not exactly a fight.â
Joseph persisted. âThen what happened? A little tiff?â
Ashley replied, âNot really that either.
Ashley thought of the k*ss from the day before. Her earlobes grew hot. again, and her heart skipped a beat.
Joseph couldnât get the whole story, but from Ashleyâs expression, he felt that it seemed less like a fight and more like flirting.
Joseph was dying of curiosity to know what exactly had happened.
They arrived at the club.
Joseph drove right in. As soon as they parked, the clubâs owner came over to greet them, showing a familiar and respectful attitude towards Joseph.
Although Joseph and the club owner were friends, Ashley could tell that his familyâs powerful background meant that the owner always treated. him with the utmost respect.
Since it was the grand opening, the owner was busy with lots of things, so Joseph didnât ask for special treatment and just said they would enjoy themselves.
After the pleasantries, the club owner left to attend to other matters.
Joseph led Ashley inside. âAshley, see if thereâs anything you want to do. Letâs have a blast today.â
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The club was large and luxurious, with unique decor. Besides indoor entertainment facilities, there was also an outdoor horseback riding area, a golf course, and a shooting range. Only the wealthy and prominent. frequented this place.
The weather today was great, with clear, sunny skies.
Ashley didnât want to stay indoors, so she headed to an outdoor
recreation area.
Joseph, looking at a nearby horse ranch, suddenly remembered. âRight, Ashley, I saw you on that variety show before. You are quite skilled at horseback riding.â
Ashley smiled slightly, âI used to like it as a kid, so I learned horse training.â
Joseph suggested. âShall we go for a ride then?â
-Ashley agreed, âSure.â
Ashley and Joseph walked towards the horse ranch.
Before they reached the ranch, Ashley spotted a tall man from a distance
He had distinctive bangs in front of his forehead and wore a silver earring in his left ear.
It was Bryce.
When Ashley saw Bryce, he also saw her and Joseph by her side.
Bryce was momentarily surprised, thinking, âWhy are these two coming together?
âIt seems like theyâve arranged to come here together for fun.â
Bryce had heard that Ashley and Joseph were friends but thought they were just casual friends. He hadnât expected their relationship to be this close. He felt that there was more than friendship between them.
Joseph was the general manager of Royal Entertainment, which made him Bryceâs boss.
However, Bryce had always been rebellious and unreserved, and he got along well with Joseph.
Bryce dismounted from his horse and greeted Joseph. âMr. Fox.â
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After saying that, he turned to Ashley with a fake smile. âWhat a coincidence.
Joseph saw Bryce come down from the horse and almost immediately thought of that famous scene from the variety show. Holding back. laughter, he asked, âBryce, last time on the show, your horse went out of control. Ashley chased it down and jumped onto your horse, and you ended up in her arms. How did that feel?â
Bryce was embarrassed.
He thought to himself, âWhy bring up the most embarrassing thing?
âThis issue is almost turning into a dark chapter of my past!â
Ashley chuckled teasingly, âI forgot to ask you too. How did it feel? Tell
Us.
Bryce fell silent.
He thought, âMy image is ruined. How could I feel anything good?â
Not wanting to dwell on it, Bryce pointed to the nearby track, determined to redeem himself. âAshley, we didnât have a proper contest on the variety show. How about we have a competition today?â
Ashleyâs eyebrows raised. âSure.â
She felt like going for a ride anyway.
Joseph did not participate. He just stood by, watching their race.
Like on the variety show, Ashley chose a pure white horse, gorgeous and graceful.
Bryce rode a black horse.
With the sound of a whistle, their horses took off from the starting line at the same time.
Bryce quickly realized that Ashleyâs horse-riding skills were superb. She could control not only the speed of the horse but also its burst of energy.
At the start, Ashley shot off like an arrow released from a bow, leaving Bryce far behind.
Being left behind at the start, Bryce had no chance of catching up.
Unsurprisingly, Ashley reached the finish line first.
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Several dozen seconds later, Bryce arrived on his horse. âAshley, youâre too fast.â
Joseph whistled and clapped proudly. âYou are impressive as ever, Ashley, amazing!â
Ashley pulled on the reins, dismounted gracefully, and patted the horseâs n*eck as if to reward it. âFinally, Iâve had a satisfying ride.â
Not willing to admit defeat, Bryce looked down at her from atop his horse with a triumphant smile. âAshley, besides horse riding, what else are you good at? Letâs have another competition.â
He refused to believe he couldnât win against her.
Hearing that, Ashley pondered the question for a moment.
She thought to herself, âWhat else am I good at?
If I were to list everything Iâm good at, it would take quite a while to finish.â
Ashley looked around and spotted a shooting range not far away, her face. beaming with an idea. âIâm also quite fond of shooting.â
Bryce snorted with a laugh, âPerfect. I enjoy shooting too. Letâs see whoâs better.â
They went to the shooting range.
Joseph quietly pulled Ashley aside and whispered, âAshley, I hadnât realized you were into shooting. Valentin likes it too!â
When Ashley heard this, her eyebrows rose slightly, her face beaming. âI know.â
Joseph was taken aback. âYou know that? You know Valentin likes shooting?â
Ashley confirmed, âOf course.â
She learned about shooting together with Valentin as a child.
She was all too familiar with Valentinâs shooting skills.
Josephâs eyes rolled around as he asked with curiosity, âSo, whoâs a better shot, you or Valentin?â