Chapter 842: Dark horse?

"Because when a queen rises to the throne, she also needs her own power."

Penny didn’t need to say more for Ashley to understand what she meant. She was selecting candidates who could offer support, which wasn’t all that surprising. After all, even though Penny had a notable reputation and career outside the Pierson family, she held a position where she couldn’t afford to be completely indifferent to these matters.

Ashley understood all of that. However...

"Young Madam, I don’t understand why I’m being picked as a candidate," Ashley said, confused. "Compared to those already in power, I’m just in the kitchen serving you and everyone else."

Penny hummed a tune and smiled. "I like variety."

"Huh?"

"And you cook well!"

"..." Ashley stared at Penny, opening and closing her mouth, but her voice wouldn’t come out. "You’re picking me as a candidate because... I cook well?"

"Mhm." Penny nodded. "Many people at the table are running their own businesses. Ideally, it’s best to look in their direction first. I’m not saying I don’t have any prospective people there. All I’m saying is... dark horses can always be considered."

"You think... I’m a dark horse?"

Penny smiled at Ashley, then turned her gaze forward. Ashley furrowed her brows and followed Penny slowly.

"After the family gathering, I asked my husband about you," Penny shared nonchalantly. "He only said a thing or two, but I couldn’t get much from him."

Ashley pressed her lips together. "A man like him wouldn’t know me."

"My husband knows everyone in the family," Penny replied. "It’s just that if he sees no threat or if someone isn’t in a position others could benefit from, his mind just archives the information."

"..."

"All I’m saying is, since my husband couldn’t tell me anything about you, I could always check for myself." Penny cast Ashley a knowing look. "What I meant is that I could do a thorough background check on you, but where’s the fun in that, right? If I want your sincerity, I have to show my sincerity first."

Ashley remained quiet, hanging her head low as she gazed at her feet. She kept her lips pressed tightly, swallowing the thick tension in her throat.

"I understand what you’re trying to imply, Young Madam, but I’m afraid I have to turn it down," Ashley said after taking a deep breath, lifting her head to face Penny. She stopped in her tracks, facing Penny squarely.

Penny also stopped and turned to face her. "You’re declining?"

"I am flattered that you’re considering me as a candidate. However, even though I’m honored and thankful, I can’t accept it."

"And why is that?"

"Well..." Ashley hesitated, looking at Penny with mixed emotions in her eyes. She could easily say that she wasn’t capable or that she would only let Penny down, but she knew those reasons were too shallow.

A woman like Penny wouldn’t take no for an answer easily. Ashley hadn’t proven that yet, but she had a feeling it was one of Penny’s qualities. Besides, Penny had shown her stubbornness during the family gathering.

"I’ll give you reasons why I’m not the right choice, Young Madam," Ashley said, taking another deep breath and looking Penny straight in the eye.

---

Ashley didn’t offer Penny many excuses, just as the latter had expected. If anything, Ashley stuck to the one reason why, even if she wanted to, she couldn’t and shouldn’t be part of Penny’s forces within the Pierson family.

That reason was...

"I can’t leave him alone," Ashley whispered, her arms folded under her chest, her hand clutching her arm. "No one else will take care of him except me."

Penny glanced at Ashley’s side profile before her eyes fell on the man lying on the bed. Her lips were drawn into a thin line, studying the numerous tubes and life support keeping the man—who was barely skin and bones—alive.

"He’s your husband?" Penny asked quietly, noticing Ashley nod from the corner of her eyes.

"It happened about five years ago, during one of his business trips," Ashley whispered. "They said it was pouring rain, and the road was slippery. He was just on his way to his hotel when it happened. His driver died, and the other person involved in the collision also died. They said he was lucky to survive... though, until now, he hasn’t woken up."

A thin layer of tears coated her eyes as her lips quivered. "I miss him. Even though he’s physically with me all the time, I miss him. I’m just a normal person, but he didn’t see status as any hindrance for us. He’s the kindest man I’ve ever known, and despite the problems in the family, he always comes home to me with a smile."

Penny’s eyes softened as she looked at Ashley’s side profile. If she had asked Yugi to pull up this woman’s records and history, Penny wouldn’t have been surprised by this. However, she hadn’t done that.

"I’m sorry," Penny whispered. "I didn’t know."

"It’s alright." Ashley shook her head, smiling at Penny. "If anything, I thank you for respecting my privacy and not prying. I’m also sorry that I can’t be of help to you."

"You don’t have to apologize for that. Compared to my intentions, your reasons are a lot deeper and more important." Penny slowly turned her gaze back to the man lying in the bed.

"Thank you," Ashley said again, shifting her attention to her husband. "Even though that happened a long time ago, he’s still supporting me. So, I’ll take care of him."

Penny didn’t speak for a moment before a question slipped past her lips. "If you don’t mind me asking, why aren’t you interested in joining the family gathering?"

"About that, it’s nothing big."

"Can you tell me?"

"It’s because..." Ashley let out a deep sigh, her eyes shining with mixed emotions. "...when my husband fell into a coma, the family was already discussing what to do with the business. Some even approached me, asking me to transfer their shares in exchange for taking care of me and my husband’s medical needs for a lifetime."

Ashley couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. "My husband just had an accident, and they all acted as though he’d died. I couldn’t accept that, so I couldn’t stomach being at the same table as those people. I’d rather clean the toilet than eat with them."