Chapter 279: Chapter 279: Ashley Has Grown Up
Damian Ford suddenly recalled that he’s recently seldom seen Warren Prescott and Archie Xavier together.
But he quickly remembered that after he joked about Ashley Shaw, Warren ignored him, and when he tried to seek help from Cillian Xavier, even the usually obliging Cillian surprisingly left him to fend for himself.
Could it be that both of them...
Damian dared not think deeper about it, nor did he dare confirm with others.
Last time, he almost got kicked out of the social circle for saying the wrong thing.
Better to say less than more, indeed.
He certainly didn’t want to stir any trouble again.
...
Elsewhere.
When Ashley Shaw arrived at the airport jet bridge’s exit, she saw the passengers walking towards her from the other end.
Excited, she scanned the crowd and immediately spotted Leo Quincy among them.
After not seeing him for so long, Leo seemed more composed than ever.
Wearing a well-tailored gray suit and holding a document folder with a certain research institute’s insignia,
the scholarly aura he once had had faded, replaced by an undeniable mature steadiness.
His bright and expressive eyes were hidden behind gold-rimmed glasses, with a slight frown as if pondering something.
Ashley even felt he was somewhat unfamiliar, hesitant to acknowledge him.
Leo spotted her too; their eyes met, his brow relaxed, and an enchanting gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Ashley."
Even amid the crowd, Ashley clearly heard his voice.
Or perhaps that was the voice she imagined Leo would have.
Ashley stepped forward two paces, raising her hand to wave at Leo.
Leo’s smile deepened as he walked toward her confidently.
As he got closer, Ashley noticed his jet-black hair had a touch of natural curl, which brought a faint sense of familiarity.
"Have you been waiting long?"
He extended his hand to take the canvas bag from Ashley’s hand voluntarily.
Ashley was about to speak when she noticed two men in military uniforms accompanying him.
"Don’t worry, they’re security officers assigned to me," Leo reassured her.
Ashley widened her eyes in surprise.
"Weren’t you just studying at the research institute? When did you enlist?"
Leo chuckled softly, responding, "No, I haven’t enlisted. They’re here to ensure my safety."
Ashley uttered a couple of "Oh, oh," adding, "I thought only high-ranking officers had security escorts. I imagined you became one."
"Silly girl, I’ve never been athletic enough to enlist," Leo teasingly ruffled her hair.
Ashley felt a bit uneasy.
Leo used to often ruffle her hair, but now she’s grown up, essentially a "woman" who’s been married before, so she feels somewhat uncomfortable with such gestures.
Leo sensed her stiffness and quickly withdrew his hand.
"Sorry, I forgot you’re quite a grown-up now."
Ashley hastily shook her head, saying, "It’s okay..."
His touch, compared to Shawn Coleman’s, lacked any male scrutiny or any improper malice.
It was purely a big brother’s affection for his little sister, so she felt okay, just a bit unaccustomed.
In terms of "soul age," she was actually a few years older than Leo Quincy now.
That’s why she felt a bit embarrassed.
However, perhaps it was her imagination, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that Leo was scrutinizing her.
"Did you grow taller?" Leo inquired.
So he was gauging her height all along.
Her puberty kicked in later than most girls, so it’s true that her height spurted after Leo went abroad.
"Yes, just a bit taller."
"How tall are you now?"
"One meter..."
"Let me guess. One meter sixty-two?"
Ashley stared wide-eyed in shock.
"Your eyes are like measuring tape! Perfectly precise!"
Leo’s smile widened.
"You mentioned it in an email before."
Ashley suddenly recalled that there was such an occurrence, but it’s from a past life, so she had forgotten.
Moreover, at the research institute where Leo was, strict policies prohibit communication devices; there are only fixed times to use a phone each day, so they often relied on emails to keep in touch.
Only now, in the couple of days leading up to his return, he had the freedom to use his phone.
Afraid Leo might bring up emails again, Ashley worried she couldn’t respond well, so she hastily changed the topic: "Was the flight tiring? Are you hungry? Want to grab a bite?"
"It’s alright, I slept through most of it and had a little something on the plane," Leo replied, subtly taking a step back to give her more comfortable space.
"Why is it just you? Where’s Warren? Didn’t you both come to pick me up?"
Ashley suddenly remembered Warren Prescott.
"He’s occupied with some urgent business."
Leo chuckled.
He’s someone who loves to laugh a lot.
Even when he’s not smiling, he seriously gazes into your eyes, making you feel truly valued.
"Does Warren still give you a hard time like he used to?"
Ashley was about to speak when Warren’s voice sounded from behind.
"Who’s hard on whom?"
Both turned toward the voice’s direction, seeing Warren stride over with a proud demeanor.
When he reached them, he glared sideways at Ashley.
"I thought I’d lost you."
He nearly had the airport broadcast an announcement, only to find her happily chatting with Leo.
"Who told you to be so slow?" Ashley remarked, irritated.
During the brief wait at the door, the men passing by the nearby men’s restroom eyed her like she was some perverted woman.
Leo observed their back-and-forth. His smile flickered slightly.
"Have you two finally reconciled?"
Warren: "No."
Ashley: "No."
Warren’s subtext: She’s unwilling to forgive me.
Ashley’s subtext: There’s no reconciling necessary; we’ll just have no further contact.
Their synchronized reply brought a silent smile to Leo.
Just then, Warren’s phone rang.
He pressed the answer button and put the phone to his ear.
Ashley continued chatting with Leo.
"Leo, I bought you a gift."
As she spoke, she reached for the bag Leo held.
The two security officers instinctively stepped forward but were stopped by Leo’s glance.
"What kind of gift?" Leo turned, softly inquiring.
Ashley hadn’t noticed the security guards’ earlier movements. She had already found the gift inside the bag.
The gift was a small Burberry gift box.
"Here you go!"
Leo received it with both hands, saying, "Thanks, I’ll open it when I get home."
"Aren’t you curious what’s inside?"
"I am. That’s why I’ll unpack it later."
"Ah? Why?"
"Unpacking later extends the anticipation."
Ashley thought for a moment, agreeing with the logic.
"That’s true..."
"I have a gift for you as well," Leo mentioned.
Ashley rejoiced.
"Really? What is it?"
"It’s rather large; I sent it ahead. I’ll get it to you once it arrives, and you’ll find out what it is."
Ashley nodded robustly: "Alright!"
Warren had finished his call by then.
He glanced at Ashley, whose face was brimming with joy, feeling inexplicably uneasy.