Save Myself from Desperation by Cara Agnes

Chapter 191

In a moment, Ashley felt like her feet were nailed to the ground, standing still without moving.

She did some math in her head. If Valentin had liked someone for over a decade, that meant he had

had feelings for her since his school days.

That was a long time.

Ashley couldn’t quite describe how she felt. She was initially starving, but now she didn’t even feel like

eating.

On one hand, she wanted to figure out who Valentin liked.

On the other hand, with Valentin’s qualities, she thought if he had liked a girl for over ten years and she

hadn’t reciprocated, maybe she was just not seeing his worth.

But Joseph’s tone was full of melancholy and wistfulness, not sounding like he was joking.

It seemed Valentin did have someone he’d liked for over ten years and hadn’t won over.

Ashley had hoped to hear more from Joseph, but he only said that one thing before shifting the topic

away from Valentin’s secret crush.

Ashley was almost frantic. ‘How can you just stop talking in the middle of a story? It’s so frustrating!”

Just then, Jaden finished eating and stood up from his seat. Turning around, he saw Ashley in the

restaurant and waved her over. “Are you here to eat? Come and join us!”

With Jaden’s gesture, Joseph also noticed Ashley and glanced behind her. “Where’s Valentin? Didn’t

he come with you?”



“He’s handling a work call,” Ashley replied.

“That’s fine. Valentin will probably join us soon. Ashley, let me tell you, today’s breakfast is

exceptionally delicious! I suspect they might have changed the chef. You must try it! It’s so much better

than yesterday’s!”

But Ashley was in no mood to eat because she was curious. She walked over and sat down at the

table, hesitated for a couple of seconds, and then couldn’t help but ask, “Joseph, you were saying…”

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Joseph was very enthusiastic, even helping Ashley with pouring water. He stopped when he heard her

start to speak and eagerly asked, “What?”

Jaden also looked over at her.

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Under their curious eyes, Ashley suddenly felt it might be better to ask Valentin himself about this.

She thought, ‘Yeah, I should just ask him directly.

“It’s okay,” Ashley said nonchalantly as she stood up. “You and eat. I’m going back to find Valentin.”

After saying this, she turned and left the hotel restaurant.

guys go ahead

Joseph, looking completely confused, scratched his head. ‘Why did she leave without eating breakfast?

‘What did she want to ask me just now?’

Back in her room, Ashley saw Valentin still on the phone, speaking in business jargon.



Seeing her return, Valentin raised his eyebrows in surprise and asked with his eyes, ‘Weren’t you

hungry? Why didn’t you have breakfast?’

Ashley took out her phone, typed a note, and showed him the screen.

[I have something to ask you.]

After reading it, Valentin glanced at Ashley, nodded slightly, and sped up his work report on the phone.

Ashley sat on the bed, observing Valentin, who was standing by the window on the phone.

He wore a clean, white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his well-defined

forearms. His skin, with its visible blue veins, somehow looked irresistibly sexy.

The morning sunlight streaming through the window made him look more graceful and poised.

Ashley’s gaze wandered over him from head to toe, involuntarily resting on Valentin’s stunningly

handsome face.

From his perfectly shaped eyebrows to his straight nose, her gaze finally settled on his thin lips that

moved as he spoke.

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She had to admit, his lips were beautiful. They were not too thin and had a pale red color.

They looked so kissable.

Ashley’s mind uncontrollably drifted to the times they had kissed.

Valentin might look cool and aloof, but his lips felt soft and desirable…



Snapping back to reality, Ashley realized what she was thinking, and her checks flushed, turning as red

and warm as sun-baked roses..

She slapped herself on the face in frustration.

“What am I thinking!’ she scolded herself.

Still on the phone, Valentin caught a glimpse of Ashley slapping herself and hesitated for a moment,

then couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

His chuckling, with his eyes lowered, was incredibly charming.

Ashley’s cheeks burned even hotter, and she gave him an annoyed glare.

It was more of a soft look than a glare, without any real threat behind it.

Valentin’s subordinate on the other end of the phone heard the sudden. laughter and stopped talking,

confused. ‘What happened? Was there something funny about the report, or did I say something

wrong?’

This made the subordinate very nervous.

Valentin gave a few instructions and quickly hung up the phone, walking over to her.

Looking at Ashley sitting on the bed, he bent down, his back forming an attractive line, and looked at

her with a smile in his eyes..

He raised a hand and gently touched her forehead with the back of his cold hand, teasing her.

“Come on, let me see, have you gone crazy? Why are you hitting yourself?”

Ashley felt shy.



She leaned her head back to avoid his hand. “You’re the crazy one!” she retorted.

Valentin’s eyebrows lifted almost imperceptibly, his voice casual and

Chapter 191

playful. “So, what are you thinking about? Why are you hitting yourself?”

“I hit myself because I want to. I hit myself when I’m happy, and I hit myself when I’m not. It’s none of

your business!” Ashley retorted stubbornly.

“Oh, is that so?” Valentin drew out his words, slowly standing up straight his gaze lowered but fixed on

her. “Maybe next time, someone els should do the hitting.”

“Someone else? You want me to hit you?” Ashley asked suspiciously.

Valentin’s eyes sparkled with a hint of a smile, his deep, magnetic voice more captivating than ever. “I

can’t just stand by and watch you hit yourself. Since I’m your husband, I’ll have to take it for you.”

Ashley blushed even more.

She thought, “Even if you’re willing, I wouldn’t do it. I’m not into domestic violence! Why say you’re my

husband…”

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Remembering something earlier, Ashley scratched her head, stood up, and cleared her throat.

“Valentin, I have something to ask you.”

He glanced down at the time and, pulling her along, suggested. “Aren’t you hungry? Let’s talk over

food.”

Ashley wasn’t really hungry anymore, but she nodded.



“Sure. It’s about what I heard Joseph saying at the restaurant earlier…”

Just as Ashley started to speak, Valentin opened the door. They ran into Bryce and Miranda in the

hallway as they were about to leave the room.

Bryce stopped in his tracks, first checking the room number to confirm it was indeed Ashley’s, then a

look of utter disbelief crossed his face as he stared, speechless, at Valentin coming out of Ashley’s

room early in the morning.

Under what circumstances would a man come out of a woman’s room in the early morning? What

exactly was their relationship?

Miranda was stunned, her eyes wide and mouth agape.

She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Valentin had rushed over from his country yesterday to rescue Ashley from Andrew, which Miranda

found odd enough. Even a devoted fan

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wouldn’t go to such lengths for their idol.

And now, early in the morning, she saw Valentin coming out of Ashley’s

room…

Did they spend the night together?

Miranda shivered.



Could she be right?

After everything Valentin had done for Ashley, could it be that he had ulterior motives?

“Ashley, you and Mr. Kingsley…”

