Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Old Acquaintance
Upon seeing that face, a look of astonishment instantly appeared on Owen Sinclair’s face.
The sunlight was just right, and the girl, wearing thick black-framed glasses, had noticeable dark circles under her eyes, seemingly from lack of sleep.
But even so, it couldn’t hide her naturally striking features.
The girl’s eyebrows were delicate, her nose high and petite, and her lips a natural red, yet all of this was hidden behind her slightly rustic heavy glasses.
It was evident from being in the entertainment world’s sphere of handsome men and beautiful women for so long, Owen could tell at a glance that with a bit of styling, this girl would be stunning.
However, what truly shocked him was not her outstanding appearance, but the extremely high resemblance of her face to someone in his memory.
Too alike.
Especially those eyes, they seemed to contain an autumn moon, calm and gentle, yet impossible to ignore.
And the light red mole under her right eye was identical to his own.
Owen’s heart surged with crashing waves, his eyes fixed steadily on Ashley Shaw.
Ashley Shaw looked puzzled.
"Mr. Sinclair?"
Owen was jolted back to reality, pulling a dry smile.
"Sorry, I was just thinking... you look so much like a friend of mine that I almost mistook you for her."
Ashley Shaw nodded.
She wouldn’t narcissistically believe Owen Sinclair was mesmerized by her looks.
So what Owen said must be true.
Probably because she had a commonplace face.
The style was also the most common among students these days.
Ashley Shaw quickly moved past this incident, stepping back to avoid the ten thousand dollar check and said, "Mr. Sinclair, I appreciate your gratitude, but I can’t accept the check. I’ve made an agreement with Attorney Coleman that I’ll help complete your commission, and he’ll help me with mine. We each fulfill our needs, so it doesn’t count as a favor to you."
Her refusal was sincere, without the slightest pretense of rejecting the offer.
Owen noticed this and didn’t insist on giving her the check.
He said, "Attorney Coleman mentioned that you’re about to enter university. Since you don’t want to accept money, maybe I can help you with school. Are you interested in entering the entertainment industry?"
Shane Coleman was startled internally.
In the film industry, Owen Sinclair held a position where others dared not dispute him. With him as a mentor, even a person of quite ordinary qualifications could find a niche in the entertainment world.
This was worth far more than ten thousand dollars.
Yet he saw Ashley Shaw shaking her head in refusal once again.
"Thank you for your kindness, but I have no intention of entering the entertainment industry."
A hint of disappointment showed in Owen’s eyes as he asked, "What major do you plan to choose?"
"Medicine. I want to be a doctor."
Owen nodded in approval, "That’s ambitious, although medical school is tough. Are you sure you don’t want to consider my suggestion?"
"No, thank you."
The young girl seemed frail, but it was as if there was a wild, growing force within her, which made Owen involuntarily think of his old acquaintance.
She... was much the same.
Owen cleared his throat, bringing his thoughts back, and seemingly unintentionally asked, "Did you choose this major because your parents are also doctors?"
"No," Ashley Shaw honestly shook her head, "they’re just ordinary people."
"Then why are you so determined to study medicine? There must be a reason." Owen said, laughing slightly, "I just think you have great potential, and it would be a shame to lose a natural talent like you."
Ashley Shaw didn’t want him to keep persuading her to enter the pointless entertainment industry, so she straightforwardly explained everything.
"I study medicine because of my mother; she passed away from stomach cancer this year."
"When she was hospitalized, I met many of her fellow patients. I’ve seen their despair and helplessness, so I think if I could become an excellent doctor in the future, maybe I could lessen that despair, even just a little."
"So... I’m sorry, I really have no plans to enter the entertainment industry, and I know I don’t have the qualifications."
"Thank you truly."
Owen’s heart once again surged with crashing waves.
"Your mother... passed away?"
"Yes," Ashley Shaw responded, not quite understanding the sudden darkness in Owen’s eyes.
Her mother was just an ordinary person, unlikely to know someone like Owen.
However, when she moved from Marledge, while sorting things, she found an old poster of Owen Sinclair from when he was young.
The poster was clearly old, faded to the point of yellowing.
Could it be, her mother was a fan of Owen Sinclair when she was young, and that’s why Owen had an impression of her mother?
She questioned her doubts aloud, "What’s wrong with you?"
"Nothing," Owen suddenly returned to focus.
But after two seconds of silence, he suddenly asked, "I’m sorry, may I ask what your mother’s name was?"
"Rose Shaw."
Upon hearing those three words, Owen’s suspended heart suddenly settled.
Not that person.
That person’s name was Shirley Bell.
He inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn’t show his happiness in front of the young girl, only patting her shoulder gently.
"My condolences. Ms. Shaw, in heaven, would be happy with your choice, and I was reckless."
"No problem."
Owen lowered his head, taking out his phone from his pocket.
"Let’s add each other as friends; in case you need my help in the future. You don’t want money or a favor, so let’s simply be friends?"
This time, Ashley Shaw didn’t refuse, and as the QR code was scanned, her phone beeped with a friend request.
Everyone understands the principle that more friends mean more paths.
The actor’s WeChat name was simple: SY&White.
SY was the initials of his name, and white was the English word for "white."
As the friend verification went through, Ashley suddenly felt that her newly registered WeChat suddenly became precious.
Just then, Owen’s agent pushed the door open and came in.
"Owen, the company wants you to come back for a while."
Owen nodded, said goodbye to Ashley, and by the way, said to Attorney Coleman, "Please keep an eye out for her friend’s matter."
"I understand." Shane Coleman nodded, watching Owen leave.
As the office door closed, Shane Coleman got straight to the point.
"I’ve thoroughly looked into the matter you mentioned. Your friend’s house, her father made the down payment, and the mortgage is being repaid jointly by the couple."
"But as far as I know, the woman has always been a housewife without income, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t contributed to the family."
"However, it’s very likely..."
Ashley Shaw listened intently. After asking Shane Coleman if she could record it, she turned on the recording feature.
By the time she left the law firm, the sun had already set.
The sky today was incredibly beautiful, with the sunset blooming golden waves.
After sending the recording to Ariana Grant, Ashley then took a trip to the cemetery in the Western Outskirts of Westcroft.
Her mother, Ms. Rose Shaw, was buried there.