Joseph was surprised that Valentin didn't tell Ashley anything when he gave her the bracelet.
Ashley looked at the ruby bracelet on her wrist. This gift was beyond precious. It meant that Valentin was willing to protect her with his life.
So how could she burden him with her suffering?
Ashley wanted to take off the bracelet.
Joseph saw through her intention and immediately stopped her. "Ashley, everything Valentin has done for you, he did willingly! If you don't want him to suffer for you, then protect yourself in the future. That's what he wants!"
Ashley gently touched the two vibrant red gemstones and nodded.
She looked at the unconscious Valentin and longed to hear him call her name, to see the deep gaze he used to look at her. She missed him more than ever before.
Joseph now understood why Valentin had only given the bracelet to Ashley without explaining its meaning. He probably just wanted to see her safe and happy without burdening her.
Joseph looked at the silent Ashley and remembered the scene in the restaurant when the chandelier fell.
At that critical moment, he didn't have enough to get close to Ashley, only managing to warn her to move away.
But Valentin ran to her side so fast and shielded her in time. The chandelier fell, crashing onto Valentin. Ashley didn't get hurt at all. It showed just how well Valentin protected her.
Time passed slowly in the quiet night.
The liquid in the IV bottle reached the bottom. Ashley called the nurse to remove the needle from Valentin's arm.
Several attending physicians rushed in. Normally, there wouldn't be so many doctors at once.
But the identity of Valentin was extraordinary. The doctors were particularly cautious. They double-checked everything to ensure his vital signs were stable before finally feeling relieved.
After the doctors gave Ashley some instructions, they left the ward.
The door closed.
Ashley sat by the bedside, holding the hand that Valentin had just been infused through. His hand was slightly cold. Ashley gently wrapped her hands around his hand to warm it.
Joseph had some water and asked, "Ashley, are you tired? It's late now. If you're tired, go rest on the nearby bed for a while. I'll take care of him."
Ashley shook her head. "I'm not tired."
She had no intention to sleep.
"What did Valentin say about me before?" Ashley suddenly asked in a soft voice.
Joseph thought for a moment, put the water bottle aside, and sighed, "Valentin did mention you before. But I felt like he thought about you more than talked about you."
Joseph lowered his voice and said, "The most memorable time was during a high-level meeting. Because of the Fox family and the Kingsley family's cooperation, I was there, too. I happened to notice that Valentin was absent-minded while listening to the department managers' reports. It was really rare. Valentin rarely got distracted! I leaned over to take a look and saw him unconsciously writing something on the paper!"
Joseph vividly described it, piquing Ashley's curiosity. "What is it?"
"Your name! A-S-H-I-L-E-Y! He must have been missing you so much! Otherwise, why would he unconsciously write your name on paper during a meeting?"
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