V
hapter 25
Ashton clenched his hand, covering the scar as he gently comforted Veronica.
“I’m sorry. I’ll take responsibility for this,” Veronica said as her eyes reddened even more.
William grumbled to himself, silently clicking his tongue.
Ashton was actually using a scar from over ten years ago to deceive Veronica! Now that was some next- level manipulation.
He couldn’t help but think he should’ve just brought the reluctant Wanda over from her tooth extraction to
witness Ashton’s shameless act.
“How do you plan to take responsibility?” Ashton smiled slightly as he reached out to wipe away the tear that was about to fall from her eye.
Veronica turned her head away and quickly rubbed her eyes with her sleeve, missing his hand entirely. She mumbled, “I’ll save up and get you the best plastic surgeon.‘
Ashton was stunned speechless, while William accidentally snorted out loud. He usually maintained great professional composure, except when he couldn’t help it.
Veronica didn’t notice Ashton’s expression growing darker. She explained earnestly, “Cosmetic scar treatments are pretty advanced now. I think there are some excellent specialists here in Jouver. I’ll make
sure to find the best one for Mr. Fletcher.”
Ashton smiled without warmth. “Ms. Dolton, you must be loaded. What a generous offer.”
She seemed so eager to clear the debt and distance herself from him. What a heartless lady. It seemed she really had forgotten about him.
Veronica shook her head, completely missing his sarcasm. “I’m not rich… But I’ll work hard to earn the
money. I won’t make you wait too long.”
With the divorce looming, she had no intention of touching a single cent of Heath’s money. She had to start earning faster. After all, scars were harder to treat the longer they stayed.
Ashton saw the determination in her eyes, and he felt a sense of discomfort. He mumbled, “Alright. I’ll
wait.”
“Yeah. I won’t be using Heath’s money,” she added softly, worried he might misunderstand.
“No rush,” Ashton said casually as he picked up the bowl of soup and stirred it absentmindedly.
If she wouldn’t even use Heath’s money, she must have been thoroughly disappointed in him. Ashton
Chapter 25
didn’t show it, but he was secretly pleased with the thought.
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However, William noticed every little expression Ashton made. He was in awe of Veronica. With just a few lines, she had the ice–cold Ashton nearly giggling like a schoolboy.
“Uncle Ashton! Uncle Ashton! I’m telling Daddy on you! You said tooth extraction wouldn’t hurt, but you
lied!”
Suddenly, a tearful, muffled voice sounded in the hospital room. Wanda was covering her swollen cheeks, her twin pigtails now a frizzy mess, and her eyes filled with righteous fury.
“Wanda?” Veronica called out.
Wanda paused mid–rant. “Ms. Pretty? What are you doing with Uncle Ashton?”
With her missing front tooth making her lisp, she had to work extra hard just to sound coherent.
That was when Veronica finally connected the dots. So, this was the same ‘ridiculously handsome, marriage–hating, workaholic uncle‘ Wanda had talked about before.
Veronica blinked, startled.
Ashton ignored Wanda’s earlier questioning and introduced them. “Yes, this is my niece, Wanda Fletcher.”
He made it clear she wasn’t his daughter.
Veronica suddenly remembered Wanda’s story from the hospital. She said when Ashton was little, he once got into a barking match with a dog, and he actually won.
When she imagined Ashton’s intimidating, gorgeous face in that scenario, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud. It was impossible to picture them as the same person.
Ashton’s gaze darkened slightly. However, the moment he caught that fleeting smile on Veronica’s face, his mood also lifted. The next second, Wanda seized the opportunity and grabbed the extra serving of
soup Veronica had prepared.
After finishing it, she still wasn’t satisfied. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, and being far too clever for her age, she said, “Uncle Ashton, Ms. Pretty treated us to soup. Isn’t there a saying that goes, ‘I scratch
your neck, you scratch mine?“”
Ashton rubbed his temples. “It’s ‘I scratch your back, you scratch mine.”
Veronica burst out laughing.
Ashton looked at her and asked, “Ms. Dolton, would you like to join us for dinner?”
Wanda nodded frantically, her bright eyes looking at Veronica expectantly.
Veronica couldn’t bear to refuse and agreed with a smile. “Alright.”
While waiting for Ashton to change clothes, Veronica checked her phone messages and found that Heath had left her a message not long ago.
Chapter 25
“Veronica, come back to Hillside Villa. We need to talk.”
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Chapter 26
Chapter 26
