Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Overnight Riches
People might say Warren Prescott helped her out of guilt, but his actions at the hotel don’t show any guilt whatsoever.
On the contrary, it feels rather ominous.
To say he didn’t do it for her is odd, since Rosalind Lynch’s case has only one victim, and that’s her.
Warren Prescott gains nothing from this.
Ashley Shaw has a bit of a headache.
Just then, the doorbell rings.
"I’ll get the door!"
Ariana Grant reacts the fastest, running to the entrance to open the door.
Ashley Shaw looks up, her gaze paused for a moment.
Assistant Lowell.
Warren Prescott’s special assistant from before.
He’s also the one who delivered the wedding anniversary gift to her.
The one identical necklace to the one worn by Warren Prescott’s affair.
It was when she saw the necklace on TV, around the other person’s neck, that she was so distraught she left the Prescott family’s mansion early, only to run into a truck.
Seeing Assistant Lowell, many unpleasant memories automatically flood Ashley Shaw’s mind.
She recalls the fear of seeing the truck heading toward her before she died, and goosebumps rise on her arms.
Just as Ariana Grant is about to ask who it is, Ashley Shaw steps forward and says, "Ariana, why don’t you go downstairs and buy the drink you like?"
"Huh? ... Oh."
Ariana Grant quickly catches on and steps aside from Assistant Lowell to head downstairs.
"What did Warren Prescott ask you to come to me for?" Ashley Shaw asks bluntly.
Assistant Lowell’s eyes widen in astonishment.
"How did you know Mr. Prescott Jr. sent me?" Warren Prescott is now the department manager of the planning department, and he is the assistant manager.
Ashley Shaw suddenly realizes that she’s not supposed to "know" Assistant Lowell yet at this point.
Fortunately, she hasn’t called him by name.
Ashley Shaw coughs lightly and casually makes up a reason.
"Dressed like that, only someone of his would knock at our door. So, what is it?"
"Oh, oh."
Assistant Lowell, being a new hire, doesn’t know about the past between Ashley Shaw and Warren Prescott, so he doesn’t delve into how she figured out he was Warren Prescott’s person.
He clears his throat, taking out a check strictly as part of his job.
Ashley Shaw glances at it.
Five million.
Is this her wage for taking care of him yesterday?
Such generosity.
Even more than his father.
Lars Prescott gave her one million, asking her not to attend Aethelgard University.
If she hadn’t already decided against going to Aethelgard University and figured that taking the money would stop Lars Prescott from worrying, she would never have accepted that one million.
The check is still in her book, and she doesn’t know how to deal with it.
Then Assistant Lowell says: "Mr. Prescott Jr. said that this is the mental compensation and medical expenses Ms. Rosalind Lynch owes you, given by the Lynch Group for him to transfer to you."
"Who did you say?"
"Ms. Rosalind Lynch."
"..."
So, the apology letter was just part of it?
Why does he do all this?
Thinking about Warren Prescott’s sudden approach in the hotel and his repeated mentions of Cillian Xavier, Ashley Shaw senses something.
But it’s too bizarre.
She still defines it as guilt.
"Miss Shaw?" Assistant Lowell calls her.
Ashley Shaw snaps back to reality, and Assistant Lowell takes the opportunity to place the check in her hand, reminding, "It’s a cash check, no password required; you can cash it directly."
Since it’s from Rosalind Lynch... she doesn’t seem to have a reason to refuse.
Even if she returns the check, it will be back to Rosalind Lynch, not Assistant Lowell.
Ashley Shaw hesitates for a moment but takes it.
She asks, "What else did Warren Prescott say?"
Assistant Lowell thinks for a moment and says, "Oh yes, almost forgot, Mr. Prescott Jr. said to avoid any mishaps, you should cash it as soon as possible in the next couple of days."
"Anything else?"
"No, Mr. Prescott Jr. just wanted me to hand over the check. Do you have any message for me to pass on?"
Ashley Shaw shakes her head: "No, thank you for running over."
"It’s fine, it’s my job. Then I’ll not disturb you any further, goodbye."
Assistant Lowell bows politely and turns to leave.
Ashley Shaw watches Assistant Lowell walk to the stairwell corner, then goes back to her room with the check.
As Assistant Lowell heads down the stairs, he exits through the main door, crosses the path to the west gate of the community.
A high-end business car is parked right there.
Assistant Lowell quickens his pace, gets in, and finds Warren Prescott sitting inside expressionless.
"Mr. Prescott Jr., I’m back."
"Did she accept it?"
"She did."
Warren Prescott looks relieved.
Ashley Shaw accepts Lars Prescott’s money, suggesting she might really be in urgent need of cash.
However, if he gave it directly, Ashley Shaw would definitely not accept it.
So he went around in a big circle, got the five million from Gavin Lynch, and had his assistant deliver it for him.
Now, Ashley Shaw has more money than what Lars Prescott offered her.
She should... probably return the check from Lars Prescott and choose Aethelgard University, right?
That’s the plan.
Assistant Lowell moves to the driver’s seat, and just as he starts the car, Warren Prescott asks: "Did she say anything?"
"No, just a bit surprised that the check was from Miss Lynch, then she took it."
"Nothing else?"
Assistant Lowell racks his brain to think of any notable parts of their conversation, pondering until he’s sure there’s nothing else to note.
Just simply money given and taken, that’s it.
"Nothing else."
Just as he finishes speaking, Assistant Lowell sees from the rearview mirror that Warren Prescott is frowning.
He suddenly feels as if his governor and conception vessels have been activated, sensing something, and quickly starts recounting everything in detail.
"At first... then... finally... that’s it."
Assistant Lowell recounts while sneakily glancing at the rearview mirror.
Sure enough, he sees Warren Prescott’s frown slowly relax.
He guessed right.
Mr. Prescott Jr. is not seeking important information, he wants to know everything, even trivial words.
Then Assistant Lowell realizes something.
So, the lady just now could very well become Mrs. Prescott Jr.!
My God!
How could he be so dumb!
If he had realized earlier, he would have been much more courteous, and firmly grabbed hold of the future Mrs. Prescott Jr.’s favor.
Assistant Lowell is regretfully thinking this when Warren Prescott suddenly asks: "She recognized you without introducing yourself?"
"Yes..." Assistant Lowell doesn’t know why Warren Prescott asks this but instinctively replies, "It seemed like she knew me. But then Miss Shaw explained, saying dressed like this, I could only be yours."
Somehow, Warren Prescott’s mind recalls something.
Back when Ashley Shaw was still at the convenience store, and he went to buy cigarettes.
Even then, Ashley Shaw didn’t ask and handed him a pack of cigarettes, as if she knew for certain he liked that brand.
Warren Prescott lowers his head, takes the cigarette pack out of his pocket, and slowly rubs it in his hand.