Chapter 1742

Chapter 1742 The Last Time

But having lived thus far, I knew my life was no longer just mine. I couldn’t simply disregard John’s feelings after accepting his infinite care.

In the end, John was afraid that he would upset me, so he eased off before I could even respond to him. “Think about it carefully. I’ve never really stopped you from making your own choices, but it’s different this time. No matter the conflicts between the two of you in the past, Ashton was at least a decent person with good family background. Now, however, he’s cold-blooded and vicious. He keeps getting himself involved in illegal activities, challenging the government. That’s only courting death!”

After saying that, he continued, “You’ve got to understand something, Letty. We do our best to continue living in order to see more of the world and experience the love and beauty in this world, not to plunge into hell and be an emotionless machine with only profit in our eyes. I understand that you’re reluctant to accept the reality because you’re waiting for him to come to that realization like me. However, people are different. Although I was lower than pond scum, I never touched drugs. Your waiting is entirely meaningless.”

For some reason, Ashton’s words of “not smart enough” flashed across my mind when I heard John’s last few words. Now that I thought about it, the reference to that remark was rather vague. Was he referring to Joseph, or was he deliberately giving me a hint with words that carry a double meaning?

When I realized that I had zoned out, I immediately snapped back to reality. Alas, it was already too late. John wore a dark expression on his face, his very being exuding his chagrin at my inattentiveness.

Everyone had their bottom lines, and respecting him meant staying far away from his bottom line.

Of course, I was no saint either, for I had driven him through the roof more than once. Even if our relationship never suffered any ill effects, it still imperceptibly consumed our ardor. If I were to be wilful and selfish forever because of my love for Ashton, I would only end up like Rebecca.

Ashton, this is the last time I’m going to try with you.

Looking at John, I made my greatest resolution to date. “Let me try for the final time. There’s still one thing I’m uncertain about when it comes to him. When I know for sure, I promise to give you a definite answer.”

Exasperated beyond words, John relented. “I hope that answer will be to my satisfaction.”

A bitter smile tugged at my lips, and I said nothing to that. If only there were a choice that would satisfy everyone! But in reality, there’s nothing such as the best of both worlds. Ultimately, there has to be a resolution between a lover who insists on walking his own path and a family member who stays through thick and thin!

As I slowly walked out of the hospital, my mind remained fixated on the issue with Ashton.

He can never be rid of the accusations Nathaniel made about him, but it may not have necessarily tainted his heart. I would never believe that the man—who was willing to go against his moral code and his good friend’s dying wish for my sake, and in doing so, suffer the weight of his conscience for more than ten years—would be so foolish as to insist on walking that path when he knows full well that he’d lose me if he did so. It must be because Nathaniel is too cunning, so he has no choice but to use a different way to deal with him. If that’s the case, it means things that seemingly make no sense are actually normal instead. Then everything can be explained. But how can I prove that?

Engrossed in my thoughts, I didn’t even notice that the stairs had ended. Stepping a leg hard onto the ground, I felt as though I was stepping on air.

At that scare, I lifted my hand and patted my chest. Phew! Fortunately, it was just a step. If I were on the road, I might have lost my life before I even realized it!

Just as I was exulting in the fact that I missed a brush with death, an extended Lincoln slowly came to a stop at the other side of the road. The car door swung open and Nathaniel alighted from the car. From afar, one couldn’t find any flaws in his countenance that bore a close resemblance to that of Ashton. Instead, they would presume that he was sure to be a natural gentleman. No one would suspect that beneath the hypocritical facade lay an open Pandora’s box. Anyone who drew close to him would only bring infinite calamity upon themselves. He was nothing more than a plague.

I stared at him coldly, having no plans to maintain my superficial calmness. “What kind of fright have you prepared for me today, Mr. Hall?”

Nathaniel stopped before me and flashed me an innocent smile. “You think I’ve got nothing to do every day and that I’m merely racking my brains to think of ways to make your life difficult?”