Chapter 3
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Ceramic shards scattered across Aaron’s trousers and leather shoes, leaving a white gash.
A strange sense of weightlessness seized him, spreading from his heart through his body, as if that gash had sliced through his soul.
Speechless, he saw blood trickling down from Ashley’s instep.
“Ashley.” He instinctively jerked forward, grabbing her arm. “You’re hurt.”
At that moment, Nicole gasped.
Aaron pressed his lips together, releasing his grip as he said quickly to Ashley, “Sit tight. I’ll tend to your injury after I finish bandaging Nicole.”
Ashley twisted her lips and strode out of the office without looking back.
That evening, Ashley pulled out her phone and saw Nicole’s post on her Social Media Feed.
Azure skies met the vast ocean, framing a colossal oil tanker.
Employees, faces radiant with smiles, held a red banner with white lettering: “Tourist group photo-thank you, Mr. Miller!”
At the ship’s bow, Aaron held Nicole as they took the photo.
Both were beaming with joy.
Nicole had just become CEO, and Aaron accompanied her on this employee team-building trip to establish her au- thority and win over her employees.
Ashley recalled those years fighting alone, when Aaron stayed up late revising project materials with her and dis- cussing customer flow channels…
Yet every time she sought him out, he never proactively considered anything for her.
He never joined her at staff events, even when she asked.
He disliked socializing, so Ashley didn’t press him.
Back then, she thought he’d done well enough.
But when love gets compared, the imbalance becomes glaring.
For a whole week, Nicole’s Social Media Feed kept updating with travel photos.
She even sent Ashley exclusive shots: crimson roses, two wrists pressed close wearing matching couple bracelets.
“Sis, this date spot has amazing food, and the kissing challenge bracelet is gorgeous. You and bro should try it next time!”
Ashley clenched her phone, stifling until her heart felt suffocated.
Fingers tapped several times before finally capturing the screen recording, securing the evidence.
On the day they returned from the team-building trip, Nicole approached her with a pout.
“Ashley, I was only gone for a week. Why did all our partners terminate contracts? They’re even gossiping about me having an inappropriate relationship with Aaron.”
“This is your company too. You can’t ruin it just because you dislike me. If you’re truly upset, I’ll hand the company over to you right now.”
Though falsely accused, Ashley refused to argue.
She stated deliberately:
“The company is yours. Don’t come to me when trouble hits.’
Nicole collapsed to her knees, sobbing.
“Ashley, if you’re still angry with me, I’ll kneel here forever. But even if you resent me, you can’t sabotage Aaron’s IPO.”
Before Ashley could respond, a sudden force shoved her aside. Her head struck the doorframe, bright red blood in- stantly streaking down her cheek.
She saw Aaron, his face full of heartache, half-holding Nicole up.
“Nicole’s knee had surgery, she can’t kneel or get cold. Bullying her again? Can’t you stand anyone?”
Ashley’s eyes instantly burned, like a festering wound stabbed anew, bleeding fresh.
He remembered Nicole’s knee was precious.
But her company? Her son?
He forgot it all.
Ashley snapped: “Got proof I bullied her? Bring it before yelling at me!”
Then slammed the door shut,
Next day at kindergarten pickup, she saw shady young men forcibly carrying Ruirui away.
Ashley rushed forward to fight them, but they beat her down together until she nearly lost consciousness.
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Chapter 3
With her last bit of strength, she called the police, then dialed Aaron.
One, two, three…
By the twentieth call, someone answered-Nicole’s voice came slowly: “Brother’s showering.”
Fainting from rage, Ashley blacked out completely.
When she opened her eyes again, she was in a hospital room.
Aaron’s anxious face filled her vision.
“Our son-”
Aaron cut her off quickly:
“Nicole’s friend picked up Rui Rui-I allowed it. They didn’t know you, thought you were trying to take the child- that’s why they acted.”
“You need to explain the situation to the police quickly. Nicole was also taken to the station for questioning. She has a phobia of police stations, and staying there is really hard for her…”
As he spoke, he helped Ashley up. Hearing her hiss in pain, he snapped back to attention and eased his movements.
Ashley let out a bitter laugh. She thought he was worried about her condition, but it turned out he was only concerned about Nicole’s suffering.
“I want to see our son.”
“Drop the charges with the police immediately, and I’ll bring him.”
Ashley laughed.
So it turns out that when you’re utterly disappointed, you can still laugh.
“Aren’t you going to ask how many bones I broke? Or how much pain I’m in? Or if I’m thirsty?”
Aaron brought water to her lips and comforted her, “I’ve hired the best specialists for you. You’ll be fine.”
Ashley laughed again and explained things to the police.
Ten minutes later, Nicole arrived with Rui Rui.
The child looked listless, tears streaming down his face the moment he saw Ashley’s pale complexion on the hospital bed.
“They put headphones on me, so I couldn’t hear you. I’m sorry, Mommy. Does it hurt bad? Let me kiss it better.”
Ashley’s tears welled up instantly.
Even a child could see her suffering, yet Aaron hadn’t uttered a single word of concern.
Spotting Nicole approaching, Ashley instinctively pulled Rui Rui closer to her side, creating some distance between them.
Nicole smirked, glancing toward Aaron taking a call outside before leaning in to whisper to Ashley.
“I brought Aaron a gift. Wanna guess what it is?”
