Save Myself From Desperation by Cara Agnes novel Chapter 280

Joseph was gleefully enjoying the affectionate display between Valentin and Ashley in the back seat when suddenly, a dark figure unexpectedly appeared outside the car window.

"Damn!" Joseph cursed under his breath. He was startled, his body jolting in shock. For a moment, he thought it was a ghost in the dead of night.

Gathering his courage to take a closer look, he realized it was none other than Ryan, the fool.

"What's wrong with you?" Already not fond of the Ramos family, Joseph was nearly scared out of his wits by Ryan and couldn't help but lash out irritably. "Are you out of your mind, scaring people like a ghost in the middle of the night?"

Joseph irritably wondered, 'Where did this idiot come from? Has he been following Ashley all this time?'

At that moment, Ryan was too shocked to pay attention to Joseph's insults. His eyes were fixed on Ashley in the back seat and the man beside her.

Ryan thought, 'Is that...Valentin?'

He initially doubted his eyes, but after a double-take, he was sure it was Valentin, the CEO of the Kingsley Group.

Ryan wondered, 'Why is he sitting with Ashley? They seem quite familiar with each other.'

Ryan felt as if his world had crumbled, stunned as he looked through the car window at Ashley and Valentin.

The question about their relationship lingered unspoken in Ryan's mind.

Struggling to find words, Ryan stammered, "Ashley... I... you..."

However, before he could say more, he was immediately met with Valentin's icy and hostile gaze, which felt as cold as a harsh winter wind, chilling him to the bone.

Ryan shivered with fear, feeling a chill run down his spine as he instinctively stepped back.

He could clearly sense Valentin's undisguised anger and contempt, evidently protective of Ashley.

Realizing Valentin was defending Ashley left Ryan even more stunned. He stumbled over his words, saying, "Ashley, can you...can you get out of the car and listen to me for a minute? I promise it won't take long! I won't take much of your time!"

However, Ashley's gaze was indifferent, not even sparing him a glance. She simply told Joseph in the driver's seat, "Let's go."

Joseph had been waiting for Ashley's command. He disdainfully glanced at Ryan. "Move!"

After saying that, Joseph immediately started the car.

Ryan didn't receive a single glance from Ashley, his eyes filling with a sense of loss. Suddenly remembering that he, Jeremy, and Matthew had speculated that Joseph was always sticking close to Ashley, possibly harboring ill intentions, he shouted a warning, "Ashley, beware of Joseph! He's up to no good! Don't fall prey to him!"

Hearing this, Joseph, who had just driven off, nearly lost his grip on the steering wheel. He cursed aloud in anger, wishing he could turn the car around and run Ryan over.

Joseph cursed inwardly, 'What the hell are you talking about?!!!'

Ashley had also heard Ryan shout, and her eyelids twitched violently, feeling utterly livid.

She thought angrily, 'Ryan really has some nerve to come up with such nonsense!'

Joseph hurriedly explained, his voice tinged with urgency, "Valentin, it's not true! I didn't do anything! Don't believe Ryan's nonsense!"

Valentin fell silent and looked straight back at him without responding.

Joseph glanced at Ashley through the rearview mirror, his face a picture of distress. "Ashley, you have to believe me!"

"It's okay, don't worry, no one believes a word Ryan says!" Ashley reassured him, turning to Valentin and wrapping her arm around his. "You definitely don't believe it, right?"

Valentin remained silent and didn't respond.

He thought sarcastically, 'If I believed it, I'd be a fool.'

Joseph continued to glance anxiously at Valentin through the rearview mirror, thinking, 'You have to believe me, Valentin!'

Valentin, showing signs of frustration, rubbed his forehead resignedly. "Of course, I believe you. Just focus on driving."

Hearing Valentin's words, Joseph finally relaxed.

'Fucking hell Ryan, are you trying to sabotage me? Just you wait!' Joseph thought angrily.

At that moment, Ryan stood bewildered on the roadside, replaying the scene of seeing Ashley and Valentin together in the back seat of the car.

Ryan was sure that their relationship must be more than ordinary.

He remembered the Skyward Art Exhibition a while back, where Valentin went specifically for Ashley, expressing his fondness for her and Aurora.

There was also the charity dinner where Valentin had spent 10 million dollars to buy Ashley's bracelet.

Ryan was surprised. "Charlie is there too?"

Jeremy gloated. "Yeah, Charlie has stopped restoring artifacts. He just sits there, motionless, and keeps calling Ashley. Too bad she had blocked his number."

Ryan shared in the gloating. "Serves him right. We warned him not to mistreat Ashley, but he always sided with Cara. Even after knowing Cara's intentions against Ashley, Charlie still blindly supports Cara. He deserves it!"

After venting his frustrations, Ryan hung up and headed to Jeremy's place.

*****

Back at Kingsley Villa, Joseph chatted with Valentin and Ashley in the living room for a while before he grew restless and stood up, taking his car keys and preparing to head out.

"My dear Valentin and Ashley, you two should get some rest. I'm off to enjoy the nightlife!" Joseph announced.

The corner of Ashley's lips then twitched slightly. "It's so late. Aren't you going to rest?"

Joseph twirled the car keys on his finger and smiled charmingly, "Come on. What time is it now? The nightlife is just getting started."

Ashley was at a loss for words.

With a snap of his fingers and a wave of his hand, Joseph declared, "I'm off then!"

After he left, Ashley turned to look at Valentin, who was lounging on the sofa.

Valentin slightly raised his eyebrows and loosened his tie, speaking in a relaxed tone. "Why are you looking at me like that? I have never had any nightlife before we were married, and certainly not now."

Ashley was speechless after hearing him.

She could tell that Valentin's mention of "nightlife" had an improper connotation.

Valentin sighed in a seemingly innocent manner, "You don't like me, I know, it's all my fault."

Ashley was speechless again, thinking irritably, 'Why does this sound so manipulative?'

Ashley suddenly bent over, gazing at Valentin, who was sitting on the sofa. She smiled slightly, tugged at his tie, and with a subtle hint of flirtation, she said, "I've heard that marital nightlife...can be quite interesting. Do you want to give it a try?"

Upon hearing that, Valentin's eyes instantly turned intense.