Chapter 405
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“Zark?”
Chase, Ethan, and the others were startled by his sudden action. Noticing his strange expression, Ethan asked, “What happened?”
Zark snapped back to reality, his gaze lingering on Chase and Tanya. Then, he lowly shook his head.“Nothing.”
He sat back down.
Catherine still wanted to talk to him.“Zark, I-”
Zark ignored her, turning to Betty.“Betty, are you thirsty? Want some water?”
“Yes.”
After taking a couple of sips from Zark’s cup, Betty returned to chat with Sam, resuming their conversation about the toys Sam had brought her. Then, Betty handed Sam a collectible figure.“I bought this when I went to the cinema during the New Year’s holiday. It’s for you.”
Sam was delighted.“You went to the movies during the New Year’s holiday?”
“Yeah, my uncle and aunt took me,” Betty said happily.“After the movie, we played games. My aunt is super good at it! Too bad my uncle and I had plans and left early.”
“My uncle took me to a movie that morning, too, but he was in a hurry to hang out with his friends, so we went home right after that. I didn’t even know there were figures!”
Missing out on the figures made Sam a little sad. Hearing Betty praise her aunt’s gaming skills, he quietly added, “My mom’s quite good at games, too.”
“Next time, I’ll ask my aunt, and you ask your mom, and we’ll all play together!”
Betty noticed Chase watching them.
Sam also noticed that.“Dad, what’s wrong?”
Chase smiled lightly.“Nothing, you guys keep chatting.”
“Oh…”
After they ordered, Ethan suddenly asked,“Zark, how’s the cooperation between your company and Eternal going?”
Zark answered, “Pretty smooth.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow.“Oh? No hiccups?”
Tanya, who had been diligently reading, paused slightly.
Zark knew the “hiccups” referred to whether Ashley had caused any trouble. He subtly lowered his eyes when he found Chase looking at him. It seemed Chase was interested in this topic as well.
Zark replied, “No.”
“Are you sure?” Ethan was surprised.
“Yeah.”
Upon hearing this, Tanya pursed her lips before turning the page. Chase sipped his tea without
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saying anything.
Ethan quickly changed the subject.
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About two hours later, they finished the meal and left. As soon as they left, Ashley and Burke came downstairs.
Back home, Ashley started studying the materials Burke had given her. They covered the latest AI development plans from countries around the world, which meant the content was still conceptual and might not actually result in finished products.
Ashley read for hours, unaware of the changing light outside. The sun was high when Mandy gently knocked on her door.“Ashley, time for breakfast.”
Ashley replied, “Okay, I’ll be down in a bit.”
After brushing her teeth and showering, Ashley called Tim.
Tim rubbed his aching temples, his eyes barely open.“I knew you’d still be up!”
“I’m going downstairs for breakfast. Let’s chat later?”
Tim, stiffly sitting in his chair, was excited despite his tired eyes.“Absolutely!” Inspiration could vanish in a flash. They couldn’t let it go.
“Okay.”
After breakfast, just as Ashley was about to video call Tim, Daniel called.
“I just got a call from Mr. Sterling’s lawyer. The deeds for the three extra villas are ready. I’ll pick them up later. When are you free to get them? If you’re busy, I’ll send them to you.”
Ashley had almost forgotten about it. Her mind had been elsewhere.
“Thank you so much, Daniel,” she said.
After hanging up, she and Tim immediately got back to work. By noon, their brains fried from overuse, and they finally took a break.
Ashley’s last visit to Emily was last Sunday. She and Amanda had planned to visit her this afternoon, but she had worked through the night and hadn’t slept. During lunch, she told Amanda to reschedule their visit to the evening. Seeing her pale face and tired look, Amanda said, “Okay, let’s go after dinner.”
Ashley took a nap, waking up around six. After dinner, she and Amanda went to the hospital. Chase wasn’t there.
They spent almost two hours with Amanda before leaving. Chase arrived as they were about to depart. He didn’t seem surprised, as if he knew they would be there. Seeing them leave, he politely said, “Thank you for coming.”
Ashley and Amanda ignored him. Chase pressed the elevator button for them, then asked Ashley, “Did you receive the property deeds?”
“Not yet.”
As they entered the elevator, Ashley said to Chase, who was about to get in.“No need. Just go back.”
Chase paused, but didn’t insist. He didn’t ask why she hadn’t received them yet. It seemed he was just using it just as an excuse to talk to her.
Only after the elevator doors closed did Amanda ask, “What property deeds?”
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“From our divorce. He gave me some properties.”
Amanda said, “Since he gave them to you, take them.”
“Yeah, I know.”
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When they arrived home, Daniel was there. He left without lingering. Ashley took the property deeds, tossed them in a drawer, and went to shower. Exhausted from the long day and lack of sleep, she fell asleep shortly after.
The next day.
After a morning jog and breakfast, Ashley went to work. Arriving at Eternal, she was about to turn into the underground parking lot when she saw Zark in a car beside her. His window was rolled down.
Ashley frowned. Why was he here so early? If she remembered correctly, they didn’t have a meeting scheduled with him today.
