Chapter 70: Chapter 70: I Don’t Have Someone I Like
The topic changed so quickly that Ashley Shaw didn’t react immediately.
She only heard Jane Tate continue, "I’ve watched Archie grow up since he was little. This is the first time he’s asked for a favor for a friend through my back door, so I’m happy to oblige. After he reached out to me, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. Now that we’ve met, you didn’t disappoint me. You and Archie make a great match."
Ashley Shaw suddenly felt an immense pressure and a strong sense of guilt.
In the matter concerning Ariana Grant, she indeed used Cillian Xavier.
She knew she shouldn’t have done that, taking advantage of someone’s affection, even knowing she couldn’t reciprocate, yet still allowing him to help.
But she was really scared of having to endure a friend’s departure again.
Ashley Shaw lowered her head.
"Aunt Talbot, Archie and I are just friends... I, I..."
How could Jane Tate not understand what Ashley Shaw meant?
She felt both regret and surprise.
"Do you think there’s something wrong with Archie?"
Ashley Shaw hurriedly shook her head, "No, he’s great. He’s so great that I feel I don’t deserve him."
"Even if you two were together, it’s still only the dating stage. What’s with not deserving someone? You just don’t like him, right?"
Ashley Shaw’s thoughts were immediately laid bare.
She nodded, "I do indeed only see him as a friend."
"Everyone starts as friends, but by saying this, does it mean you already have someone you like in your heart?"
"No, I just don’t want to think about those things for now."
Jane Tate responded with an "Oh," and said, "So you really do have someone you like in your heart."
Ashley Shaw was stunned.
How could it be possible?
She was hurt once, so deeply that it took her life. How could she possibly still have feelings for Warren Prescott?
"Aunt Talbot, you misunderstood me. I really don’t have someone I like."
Ashley Shaw stated with certainty.
Jane Tate smiled slightly.
"Alright, whether you have someone you like or not, I hope you can genuinely consider Archie. He’s truly a good kid. If there’s really no fate, then let it be. But don’t completely reject him from the start. I watched him grow up, so I can tell he’s genuinely serious this time."
Jane Tate was speaking on behalf of Cillian Xavier.
Ashley Shaw didn’t know how to respond, so she simply uttered, "Mm."
There was nothing more to say until Cillian Xavier returned with the coffee.
"Aunt Tate, I bought you an iced Americano."
Jane Tate happily accepted it, not revealing any hint of their earlier discussion about Cillian Xavier.
Just then, Ariana Grant finished her examination and returned.
She’s someone naturally afraid of doctors, standing in front of Jane Tate radiating tension.
"Dr. Tate, I’m done with my examination. What should I do next?"
"Today’s examinations are over. I’ve scheduled you for a gastroscopy tomorrow. Remember to come to the hospital on an empty stomach. Once you arrive, just come straight here to find me along with Ashley. I need to go on rounds now."
"Okay, okay."
The two thanked Jane Tate again, and after she left, Ariana Grant let out a sigh of relief.
"So scary, I’ll avoid the hospital if I can from now on."
Ashley Shaw gently massaged Ariana Grant’s tense shoulders.
"Alright, a few more visits and you won’t need to come anymore, so don’t be scared. What do you want to eat? Whatever you want today is your choice."
Ariana Grant glanced at Cillian Xavier beside her, then back at Ashley Shaw.
"I’m exhausted. All I want is to go home and lie down. You two go eat. Just say it’s on me when you get back, I won’t go. I’ve given so much blood I don’t even have the energy to eat."
It’s only right to treat someone to a meal, and Ashley Shaw had planned to invite Cillian Xavier to eat.
Not only did Cillian Xavier help arrange a meeting with Dr. Tate, he also introduced her to a good job opportunity.
Seeing that Ariana Grant was indeed very tired, Ashley didn’t force her.
She coincidentally had something she wanted to clarify with Cillian Xavier.
So Ashley Shaw turned to ask Cillian Xavier, "Do you have plans for dinner?"
Cillian Xavier naturally shook his head and asked with a smile, "Can I choose the restaurant myself?"
"Of course."
"A new steakhouse called ’Seeking’ just opened, and it seems to be getting good reviews."
"Then let’s go there."
"Great, should we head over after dropping Ariana off?"
"Mm, we’ll go according to your plan."
Given Cillian Xavier a favor, it’s natural to let him decide.
Ariana Grant, however, felt apologetic.
"No, no, no, you don’t need to drop me off, just go directly to eat."
Cillian Xavier courteously said, "It’s still early. Dropping you off first then heading to the restaurant will make it perfect for dinner time. We wouldn’t be at ease if you went home alone, let us drop you off first."
Ariana Grant couldn’t refuse and had to agree.
In the car ride back, Cillian Xavier remained in the passenger seat, leaving the back seats for the two girls.
Ariana Grant’s fondness for Cillian Xavier grew.
With only one man among the three, it was completely normal for Cillian Xavier to act this way.
But the reason Ariana Grant gave him extra points was because he did this naturally, not intentionally.
The good upbringing, cultivated over time by a refined family tradition, is the real bonus point.
Unlike that "deceased girl," Cillian Xavier was multiple times better than her!
The "deceased girl" only ever glared at her, whereas Cillian Xavier offered to drop this eyesore third wheel home.
The comparison was obvious!
Ashley Shaw didn’t know what Ariana Grant was thinking, but she clearly sensed her matchmaking efforts between her and Cillian Xavier.
Otherwise, with Ariana Grant’s temperament, she wouldn’t normally forego a lavish meal—especially one at her own expense—choosing instead to lie at home.
Ashley Shaw felt a bit lost.
Ariana Grant was like this, Brooke was like this, even Jane Tate, whom she’d only met once, encouraged her to give Cillian Xavier a chance.
Should she really try to accept Cillian Xavier?
But there is no rule in the world that says one must fall in love and marry to live.
Rather than finding someone else to marry again, she prefers living as she is now, single.
Perhaps she truly feels old.
This time, however, it wasn’t physiological age but psychological age.
She didn’t have the energy to toss and turn anymore.
After dropping Ariana Grant at home, the two headed to the restaurant named "Seeking."
The restaurant was high-end, decorated primarily in red and black tones, indicating it wasn’t a cheap place.
But thanks to Rosalind Lynch’s aid, she now had the money and confidence to step into such a place.
When the server handed her the menu, she passed it directly to Cillian Xavier.
"You order, I’m not picky. I’ll eat anything."
Cillian Xavier wasn’t particularly skilled at ordering, so he directly chose the "Romantic Passionate Couple’s Set."
"Let’s have both drinks at room temperature."
"Sure, sir."
The server closed the menu, walked away with a meaningful smile, and then went to the counter and said something, after which a group of people started bustling around. Moments later, the server returned carrying a bouquet of roses, leading a group of servers over.