Chapter 185: Chapter 185: Beaten
"If you’re here for this, then leave now! I don’t want to see you! From now on, I’ll pretend I don’t have a mother like you! Get out!"
Ariana Grant shouted angrily.
She had been holding back for a long time, starting from the moment Jade Coleman asked, "Do you want your mom to be happy?"
She thought she had already shown Jade Coleman enough respect as a daughter by enduring until now.
But upon hearing Ariana’s words, Jade Coleman couldn’t hold back either and angrily retorted, "Get out? This is my house; if anyone’s leaving, it’s you! I carried you for ten exhausting months and raised you up to this day, and you say I don’t exist as your mom? Aren’t you afraid of being struck by lightning?"
"Then let the lightning strike me dead. I’m giving this life back to you, alright?"
"Slap—"
Jade Coleman finally exploded; the slap that she hadn’t delivered earlier landed on Ariana Grant’s face.
"Ungrateful brat! If I don’t teach you how to speak properly today, I’m not fit to be your mother!"
She grabbed Ariana Grant by the hair and dragged her to the table.
The tablecloth was pulled, and several bowls clattered to the floor.
...
On the stairs, Ashley Shaw had been crouching, but as her legs grew numb, she didn’t care about cleanliness anymore and sat down on the steps.
The cleanliness of the stairways in old neighborhoods could be imagined, but she still didn’t know how long she would have to wait there. Sitting for too long could cause painful circulation issues.
Just as Ashley Shaw switched from "crouching" to "sitting," she heard the sound of dishes shattering downstairs.
And inside, loud arguments broke out.
Ashley Shaw immediately stood up.
But she had just been discharged from the hospital with a concussion; the sudden movement caused a blackout, and she fell down the steps below.
It’s over...
Ashley Shaw’s last thought was that she was definitely going to suffer a severe concussion today.
However, the expected pain didn’t come. A hand pressed against her shoulder, righting her body and preventing the fall.
The darkness before her eyes slowly dissipated.
Her blurred vision gradually cleared up.
She glanced over and surprise flooded her eyes.
"Damian Ford?"
It was Damian Ford.
Today, he had just announced within the company the formal termination of Kevin Hayes.
So he came to inform Ashley Shaw of this news, to claim credit.
Apart from that, Warren Prescott had gone to sing at the karaoke two days ago. Everyone was in the group except him, so he came over to Ashley Shaw’s place to check if Warren Prescott still had issues with him.
As he came up, he heard the sounds of arguing from the apartment.
Not knowing the situation, he didn’t dare enter, deciding to hide upstairs first and wait until the commotion subsided before knocking on the door.
Unexpectedly, upon coming up, he saw Ashley Shaw about to fall.
He rushed over and stabilized Ashley Shaw, preventing a disaster from occurring.
Damian Ford met Ashley Shaw’s surprised gaze, nodded, and said, "It’s me, Miss Shaw. Are you alright? Why are you here? By the way, what happened just now? Are you feeling unwell?"
Ashley Shaw explained, "I’m just anemic. I crouched for too long and suddenly standing up made me dizzy. Luckily, you were here, thank you."
After speaking, she didn’t bother questioning why Damian Ford was there and quickly ran downstairs and into the apartment.
Damian Ford followed closely behind.
The door wasn’t shut, and Ashley Shaw pushed it open, entering the chaos, seeing Ariana Grant being pinned down and beaten by Jade Coleman.
Ariana Grant lay there motionless as if she’d lost all will, allowing Jade Coleman to hit her.
"Stop!"
Ashley Shaw was immediately filled with fierce anger, striding forward and pulling Jade Coleman away.
Jade Coleman was stunned to see Ashley Shaw.
Now that she was caught hitting Ariana, would it affect the matter with Kevin?
That was all Jade Coleman cared about.
But Ashley Shaw didn’t even look at her and simply said, "Hold her down," before squatting to check on Ariana Grant.
Damian Ford understood Ashley Shaw was talking to him, quickly stepped forward, and restrained Jade Coleman.
Ashley Shaw ignored what was happening with them and brushed aside Ariana Grant’s messy hair.
Ariana Grant’s face was covered with slap marks, swollen to the point of resembling a pig’s head.
"Ariana..."
As soon as Ashley Shaw spoke, tears fell.
Ariana Grant’s eyes slowly turned and squeezed out a smile.
"Ashley, you’re here?"
Ashley Shaw didn’t know what to say. Crying, she called 911.
Damian Ford’s voice rang out, "Miss Shaw, my driver’s car is faster than an ambulance. I can take you. Just head downstairs; the car at the entrance is mine. Tell the driver my name, and he’ll take you to the hospital. I’ll handle things here."
"Alright, thank you."
Ashley Shaw struggled to help Ariana Grant up and walked past Jade Coleman expressionlessly.
"Aunt Jade, you truly don’t deserve to be a mother."
With that, she supported Ariana Grant out the door.
Upon reaching downstairs, Ashley Shaw informed the driver of Damian Ford’s name, and the driver promptly took them to the hospital.
But upon arriving at the hospital, Ashley Shaw saw a familiar figure standing at the entrance to the emergency room.
It was Warren Prescott.
Even though there was a midday break at the outpatient clinic, the emergency room was bustling with people, yet Ashley Shaw spotted him immediately.
Warren Prescott stood there expressionlessly as if the surrounding noise had come to a halt.
The noonday sunlight fell upon him, outlining his tall and slender silhouette, making him appear even more attractive. Many passing girls couldn’t help but glance his way.
Even in a hospital, people’s attention could easily be drawn to a handsome guy.
Ashley Shaw’s gaze froze for a moment.
Why was Warren Prescott here?
She quickly recalled that Warren Prescott went to deal with the Japanese restaurant owner, wondering if he’d gotten hurt?
But the thought quickly faded because Ariana was now the priority.
Ashley Shaw thanked Damian Ford’s driver and then supported the silent Ariana Grant toward the emergency building, which was a mere seven or eight meters away.
Before they took a couple of steps, Warren Prescott walked quickly towards them.
Behind him were two doctors carrying wheelchairs, one of whom was a familiar face.
Ashley Shaw shot a surprised and questioning look.
Warren Prescott turned to the doctors and said directly, "It’s her; take her in for treatment."
"Understood."
The two doctors responded in unison, taking Ariana Grant from Ashley Shaw’s arms and placing her in a wheelchair, then wheeling her away.
At this point, Ariana Grant showed a slight liveliness, turning her head to look at Ashley Shaw.
Ashley Shaw trusted Warren Prescott, knowing that he wouldn’t cause any trouble in such matters, so she gestured for Ariana Grant to follow the doctors without worry.