Chapter 144: Chapter 144: Trust Ashley Shaw Once
When they arrived at the underground parking lot, Warren Prescott walked toward the same Bentley from before and got into the back seat.
Ashley Shaw was just about to sit in the front passenger seat when Assistant Mark opened the other back door first.
Helpless, Ashley had no choice but to bend down and get in.
The car drove out of Apex Tower and soon merged into the traffic.
After a while, Ashley unconsciously picked up her phone to check the time.
Five o’clock.
Should be able to make it back by six, right?
Suddenly, Warren beside her spoke up: "What exactly do you have to do at six thirty? Even during high school exams, you weren’t this punctual. Is what you have at six thirty more important than high school exams?"
Ashley Shaw and Ariana Grant once almost arrived late for an exam due to traffic.
As Warren was in the same exam hall, he had seen it happen.
She never thought he would bring this up now to tease her.
Ashley silently repeated in her mind, "One million seventy thousand, one million seventy thousand," finally suppressing her annoyance.
"It’s not that important, but I made an appointment, so it’s not good to be late."
After that, she sincerely thanked him again.
"Thank you for covering for me today. Next time, I’ll definitely treat you to a meal."
Seeing that she didn’t continue about the matter of six thirty, Warren’s dark eyes grew deeper.
Where exactly is she going at six thirty?
But Warren had his pride. If Ashley didn’t say, he wouldn’t ask.
Anyway, whatever happens at six thirty is ranked after his three o’clock.
...
Meanwhile, at the Prescott Group building.
Lars Prescott was reviewing a project proposal when there was a knock on his office door.
"Come in."
Uncle Rhodes entered with a document in hand.
"Chairman, this document needs your signature."
"Okay."
Lars took the document, carefully reviewed it, and then signed his name.
"Done."
"Yes."
Uncle Rhodes took the signed document but didn’t leave, looking like he had something to say.
Lars noticed and put down his pen.
"Speak up if you have something to say. At our age, holding it in isn’t good for us."
Uncle Rhodes nodded and said, "Young master went to The Apex today."
"His Spectator Live is doing well; he should take a break for a couple of days." Lars thought Uncle Rhodes was worried Warren should not relax, so he added, "People his age are still playing. Right after finishing his high school exams, he followed two consecutive projects. Now that both projects are on track, he can do whatever he wants temporarily."
"Chairman, you misunderstood. What I meant was, the young master didn’t go alone, he brought Ashley Shaw along. And before they went shopping, he specifically had the staff clear The Apex for two hours."
The Apex operates as an upscale mall, requiring a financial check before entry. It’s mysterious and extremely exclusive.
Despite this marketing strategy, it has built a sterling reputation, with revenue numbers soaring every second to astounding levels.
Yet, Warren ordered a two-hour clearance just to accompany Ashley shopping.
Uncle Rhodes felt it necessary to report this to Lars.
As expected, he saw Lars sit up straighter than before.
"Are you sure it was Ashley Shaw?"
"Yes, after receiving the news, I confirmed it personally through surveillance."
Lars lightly tapped his index finger on the desk, pondering something.
After more than a minute, he finally spoke.
"Let them shop. A loss of two hours doesn’t matter. Let’s consider it a graduation gift from me to them."
After speaking, Lars stood up and headed to the office’s resting area.
"I’ll take a nap. Go ahead with your work."
Uncle Rhodes was completely surprised that Lars didn’t mind. After hesitating for two seconds, he nodded, "Yes."
He was about to leave when Lars suddenly spoke again: "In the future, no need to report anything related to Ashley Shaw to me."
He had felt awkward twice in front of Ashley and didn’t want a third time.
He chose to trust Ashley.
And he hoped that girl wouldn’t let him down.
...
The Queen’s Bar.
Ashley Shaw followed Warren Prescott inside.
She had only been to this bar recently and felt quite familiar with it upon arrival.
Just as she was about to push open the soundproof door of the bar, Ashley couldn’t help but ask, "What are we doing here? If it’s for drinking..."
"If I wanted to drink, I wouldn’t ask you," Warren said expressionlessly.
What did that mean?
Was he implying she wasn’t even fit to accompany him for a drink?
Wait, why would she become someone who accompanies Warren for a drink? That’s not something to be happy about.
As these thoughts swirled in her mind, Assistant Mark had already stepped up to open the door.
Warren walked in first, and Ashley followed behind him.
The Queen’s Hotel doesn’t open until eight, so there shouldn’t be anyone here now.
But as Ashley looked up, she recognized many familiar faces.
Cillian Xavier, the class’s sports coordinator, and a few people who used to hang out with Leo.
Of course, there were seven or eight people she didn’t recognize, probably Leo’s friends whom she hadn’t met before.
It seemed that everyone was gathered to discuss how to organize a welcome-back party for Xavier Quincy.
So when Ashley came in, she consciously found a corner to stand in.
She had no say in the matter; she would just follow their arrangements.
However, as Ashley scanned the room, she noticed with her sharp eyes that Rosalind Lynch was not there.
When she first joined the Prescott Family, Warren, Xavier Quincy, Rosalind Lynch, and Cillian Xavier were famously known as the "Iron Four," often referred to as the Westcroft version of F4.
Now, with Rosalind missing, Ashley found it a bit puzzling.
Didn’t Warren just save Rosalind at the KTV last time? Hadn’t they reconciled?
When Warren was hospitalized, Rosalind even visited him. Why wasn’t she invited this time?
But when Ashley thought about it, she realized it might be because the Lynch Family’s matters weren’t resolved yet. Perhaps Rosalind wasn’t in the mood to come.
So, it probably wasn’t that Warren didn’t invite her, but that Rosalind didn’t want to come herself.
It was better she didn’t come. It’d be awkward if she did.
Just then, her phone received a message.
It was a text from Ariana Grant.
[Ashley, I’m thinking of riding my scooter over. Where are you now? Should I pick you up and go together?]
Ashley sent over the location of The Queen’s Bar.
Within seconds, Ariana called, with a noticeably worried tone.
"Hey, Ashley, are you alright?"
Ashley moved a bit more into the corner, covered her phone with one hand, and whispered, "I’m fine."
"Then why are you at a bar?"
"Leo is returning to the country, and we’re discussing here how to organize a welcome-back party for him. Don’t worry; I’m fine. Everyone here is someone I know, and Cillian Xavier is here too."
Hearing the name "Cillian Xavier," Ariana felt relieved.
In her eyes, Cillian was a righteous gentleman who also liked Ashley, so he wouldn’t let her get hurt.
Ariana let out a long sigh over the phone.
"You scared me. I thought you’d been kidnapped!"
Ashley was about to speak...