Save Myself from Desperation

Ashley was lying on the bed, chatting casually with Miranda. After finishing the call, she looked up and saw Valentin standing by the drawer, seemingly searching for something.

Since he was facing away, Ashley could only see his back and couldn’t make out what he was looking for, so she casually asked, “What are you looking for?”

The maids always kept the spacious bedroom clean, so Ashley didn’t have to tidy the room herself. Though not familiar with the stuff in the room, Ashley quickly rose from the bed and said cheerfully, “Let me help you find it!”

Valentin lightly tapped a gift box twice with his finger, pondered for a few seconds, then closed the lid and pushed the drawer back. He turned. around to face Ashley with a smile and asked nonchalantly, “Ashley, do you have any plans for the next few days?”

Ashley shook her head. “No, why? Do you have any plans?”

She had just gotten up from the bed, wearing a slip dress. One of the straps had slipped down, revealing her fair and delicate shoulder, captivating without her realizing it.

Valentin swallowed hard, frowning as he walked over. His fingers hooked onto her thin strap as if it could easily be torn off, stripping the dress

away. He restrained the desire within him and gently pulled her strap back up

His fingers touched her warm and fair skin, causing his throat to tighter and his deep voice to become husky. “I'll take you somewhere tomorrow

“Where is it?” Ashley asked, her eyes wide with curiosity as she blinked.

Valentin was charmed by her cute appearance and couldn't help but lean down to kiss her. He kissed her soft lips tenderly and passionately. “A place you liked when you were little.”

Ashley thought for a moment, not sure what he was planning, but she didn’t have the mind to think more about it. As he leaned in to kiss her, she instinctively raised her hands to embrace him.

Valentin gently kissed her, one soft touch after another. His warm kisses

09-20

trailed down her neck, leaving a mark on her milky, smooth shoulders.

Ashley’s body suddenly tingled all over, trembling slightly. She hugged

arm tighter without realizing it, and her eyes filled with a layer of

his

mist.

The air was thick with ambiguity, and the rising temperature brought a blush to both of their cheeks. Suddenly, the abrupt ring of a cell phone echoed in the room.

Ashley, pulled from the burning desire, regained a bit of her senses. “Wait, my phone is ringing!” Valentin frowned in annoyance, clearly disturbed by the interruption.

He buried his forehead in the crook of her neck, breathing softly, almost inaudibly.

Listening to his irresistibly sexy voice, Ashley’s ears turned red and hot. She felt unexpectedly thirsty and licked her lips. “I'll go see who's Calling...”

Valentin hugged her tightly once more before letting her go to answer the phone. Ashley’s phone was on the bed. Picking it up, she saw it was a call from Laura.

Having seen a report about a kidnapping online, Laura called out of concern. Learning that Ashley was fine and that Evan and Jessica had been dealt with, she finally felt relieved.

They chatted for a bit and then hung up.

Ashley sat down on the bed and gestured to Valentin to come over. Just she was about to speak, her phone rang again. It was a call from Lester.

Ashley slid to answer the screen.

“Ashley, | just saw the police report about Evan.” Lester’s worried voice came through the phone, asking urgently, “Are you alright? Did he hurt you?”

Valentin sat down on the bed, and Ashley, nestled in his arms, heard the concern in Lester’s voice and quickly reassured him, “No, he didn’t hurt

09:20

me, and he’s been caught. Don’t worry.”

“That’s good!” Lester sighed in relief, surprised that Evan and Jessica, such fools, would resort to a sinister act like kidnapping.

Lester, like a worried mother, asked several more questions. Learning that Ashley hadn’t been threatened by Evan and hadn't suffered any harm, he finally felt a weight lifted from his heart.

Finally, Lester asked nervously, “Ashley, have you been busy lately?” Ashley replied, “Not busy, why?”

Lester said, “Even though we’ve done two DNA tests and found you're unrelated to the Pliskin family, my parents really like you. They've been following your news online and are worried about you after hearing about the kidnapping. They'd really like to meet you. Do you have time? My parents want to visit Zyrrinthia to see you.”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Ashley was astonished. “Your parents want to meet me?” Valentin, overhearing this, was also slightly surprised.

“Yeah,” Lester laughed and said, “they're worried you might not want to see them, or it might be inconvenient, so they asked me to check with you first. If you don’t want to, it’s okay”

“No, | don’t mind at all.” Ashley thought for a moment. Meeting Lester’s parents was no big deal. “When should we meet?” “If you agree, they'll visit Zyrrinthia in three days.” Hearing her agreement, Lester couldn't hide the excitement in his voice. “Okay, then let’s meet in three days!” Ashley agreed cheerfully.

The next second, she heard George’s voice, trying to sound gentle o phone. “Ashley, thank you for agreeing to meet my parents.”

Ashley was startled. “George?” Lester, sounding helpless, said, “George insisted | put the phone on speaker. He wanted to hear your

voice, too!”

Ashley was a bit surprised.

Before she could speak, she heard George’s cold voice threatening Lester over the phone. “You talk too much. Shut up.” 3/4

09:20

hear

Lester immediately exposed him and complained, “Ashley, did you that? That gentle voice he used talking to you was all an act! His real self is cold and heartless. He’s good at pretending!”

George frowned. He was angry about Lester ruining his image in front of Ashley.

He felt like punching Lester again!

Ashley was speechless at the end of the phone.

After hanging up, Valentin asked thoughtfully, “The Pliskin family’s parents want to meet you?”

Ashley nodded. “They said in three days. It’s just a meeting. They've been searching for their lost daughter since she was little. | understand how parents feel.”

Valentin asked, “Should | come with you?”

“Let's see. Where are you taking me tomorrow, anyway?” Ashley asked, burning with curiosity. Valentin smiled slowly, “Want to know?”

Ashley nodded eagerly. “Very much!”

He chuckled, teasing her, “Then keep guessing. You'll find out tomorrow.”

Ashley’s eyes widened in disbelief. She playfully bit his hand in frustration and asked, “Do we have a computer keyboard at home?”

Valentin was puzzled. There were a few seconds of silence.

His eyebrows raised slightly, and he asked meaningfully, “Do you want me to kneel on the computer keyboard?”