Save Myself from Desperation

Valentin walked up to her and took out his phone.

Ashley looked over and saw the photo of them taken by a passer-by at the amusement park. Several people commented below the photo.

[Am | the only one who feels the relationship between them is special?]

[Speaking of which, this is the first time Valentin has been photographed with a woman. | wonder if he has affairs with other women in private. He’s so rich and must have kept many girls, right?]

Valentin pointed to the second comment and said to Ashley, “No.”

Ashley was embarrassed for a moment.

She touched her ears and said in a low voice, “You don’t need to explain this to me. | won't make a fuss about it.” Valentin glanced at her. “What if | want to make a fuss?”

Before Ashley could react, he grabbed her waist and pulled her into his

arms.

Ashley was stunned, surrounded by his clear and pleasant fragrance.

She buried her head on his chest and could clearly feel his strong heartbeat through his thin shirt.

Ashley came to her senses and tried to push him away. “Who taught you this? I’ll beat you up if you do this again.”

Valentin didn’t let go of her and rubbed his chin against the top of her soft hair. He chuckled and said, “It was you who taught

me. Ashley was confused. “Stop slandering me!”

He leaned closer to her with smiling eyes, his warm breath brushing against her ears. “Don’t you remember you said you liked hugging me when you were a kid?”

Ashley was stupefied again.

She wondered, ‘Did | say that?”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Ashley might have said it, but she would never admit it. “| said it in childhood. Don’t take it seriously.”

“Why?” Valentin finally loosened his grip, rubbed her head, and said in a magnetic and sultry voice, “You said you would protect me back then, and you're protecting me now, aren’t you?”

Ashley averted his gaze, puffed her cheeks, and said stubbornly, “It’s because | don’t like Frankie.” Valentin chuckled and teased, “Alright, alright. You have no intention of protecting me at all.”

Ashley’s earlobes blushed. She glared at him with watery eyes and pushed him out. “It’s very late. You should go back to bed. Don't stay in

my room.”

Valentin glanced at her hand and asked meaningfully, “Ashley, want to tie me up today?” Ashley widened her eyes, shocked by his request. “Suit yourself!”

Don't

After pushing him out of the room, Ashley immediately took her phone and sent a message to Joseph. [Have you slept yet?]

Joseph replied instantly: [No, no! It’s still early!]

Ashley immediately typed. [What's going on with those birthday gifts. you gave Valentin?] She was so embarrassed when she opened the gift at that time.

Joseph burst into laughter. [Ashley, you know everything?]

He continued typing. [In fact, | knew that Valentin would let you see it sooner or later.]

Even if Valentin didn’t want Ashley to know about those birthday gifts, he would surely compromise and agree to Ashley’s requests if she insisted on asking for the answer.

Joseph knew Valentin always had no principle when it came to Ashley.

Ashley was helpless. [Don’t give such dirty gifts in the future.] Joseph still didn’t give in. [How come? | wish you a happy sexual life. It's

08-37

my sincere wishes!]

Ashley sent: [Alright. Whatever.]

Joseph replied: [Ashley, why are you up so late? It’s not good for your health.]

Ashley added: [I know, so | choose to stay up all night.]

Joseph laughed again. [That makes sense. How about Valentin? He worked so late today. Hasn’t he slept yet?] Ashley replied: [He just went back to his room and should go to bed. soon.]

Joseph was stunned for a moment. He scratched his head and typed in confusion. [Go back to his room? What does that mean? Don’t you share the same bedroom?]

Ashley screamed inwardly, ‘Damn! | spilled the beans!”

Ashley immediately withdrew the last message.

But Joseph was more sure that he had read it correctly. He typed fast. [I've seen the message! There is no use in withdrawing it!] Ashley could only give up and stopped replying.

As aresult, Joseph bombarded her with messages.

[What's going on, Ashley? Did you quarrel with Valentin? Are you separated?] [Didn’t you have a good time on Valentin’s birthday yesterday?]

[No, have you always slept separately?]

Without receiving a reply, he thought Ashley was asleep and decided to

call her.

Ashley didn’t answer his call and decided to pretend to be asleep.

Joseph sent her messages again.

[You don’t even answer my call now. What have | done?]

[They don’t like me, and now, even you start to hate me.]

Seeing this message, Ashley frowned with worry and replied: [What’s

08:371

going on? Did someone give you a hard time?]

Joseph replied instantly: [Yes, it’s because of my face. They all say a handsome man is not a good person.] Ashley was speechless.

She thought, ‘I knew | shouldn’t have replied to him!”

Joseph sent again: [Hey, why are you ignoring me again?]

[Ashley, if you and Valentin keep sleeping apart like this, when can | be an uncle?]

Ashley’s heart fluttered when she saw the last message.

She thought for a while and still replied: [It’s late. You should go to bed.]

Joseph replied: [Ashley, one last question!]

Ashley sent: [Say it.]

www

Joseph replied: [Does Grandpa know that you and Valentin have been sleeping in separate rooms?] Ashley also realized it was a little tricky.

She hesitated for a while before sending Valentin a message. [Have you slept yet?]

There was no reply.

Valentin probably should have fallen asleep.

750

He must be tired after working so late today.

Ashley put down the phone and prepared to talk to him tomorrow, but there was a knock on the door. Ashley was startled and went over to open the door.

Valentin stood outside the door and had already changed into pajamas. He held his phone and said with a faint smile, “I’m right next door to you, and you’re sending me a message?”

Ashley blinked. “I’m chatting with Joseph, so | sent a message to you.” Valentin said, “You asked me if | slept. What's wrong?”

Ashley subconsciously looked at the screen of his phone. Then, her eyes. 08-37

widened slightly when she saw how Valentin noted her contact.