Chapter 211: Incident At Ashford
“Bro, are you leaving already?”
Julian and Evelyn walked over hand in hand, concern evident on both their faces.
They had hoped Luca would stay for dinner, but judging by his expression, those plans were clearly off.
Luca gave them an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Bro. Sister-in-law. Something urgent came up back home, so I have to head back.”
Evelyn nodded understandingly. “Alright. Just don’t rush. Travel safely.”
“I will. Congratulations again.”
After saying his goodbyes, Luca headed outside to wait near the hotel entrance.
He had been drinking, so driving wasn’t an option.
He had already texted Roman Pierce, asking him to send someone to pick him up and take him to the airport.
Taking out his phone, he called Morgan Mertens.
“Morgan, arrange a flight from San Fierro to Ashford for me as soon as possible.”
The moment the call ended, Sophie’s message arrived.
Only then did Luca learn what had actually happened.
Early that morning, a light rain had fallen over Ashford, leaving the roads slick.
Daisy Kennedy had been returning from a neighboring city with her parents when their car collided with another vehicle on the highway.
In the final moments before the impact, her parents instinctively shielded her.
Both of them died at the scene.
Daisy escaped with only minor injuries.
Physically, she was fine.
Emotionally, she had shattered.
The once cheerful little girl had withdrawn into complete silence after learning her parents were gone.
To make matters worse, the driver of the other vehicle, along with a female passenger, had also died in the crash.
Now the other family had begun harassing Daisy, determined to hold her responsible.
That morning, Sophie had accompanied her mother to the hospital for a medical appointment.
By pure coincidence, she found Daisy there, cornered in her hospital room while the other family aggressively confronted her.
Had Sophie not arrived when she did, no one knew how badly Daisy might have been bullied.
After piecing everything together, Luca’s heart ached for the little girl.
But he didn’t let emotion cloud his judgment.
’Stay calm.’
He still didn’t know the full circumstances of the accident.
The priority now was getting back to Ashford and finding out exactly what had happened.
“Luca… you’re going back to Ashford?”
Just after sending Patrick a message telling him to fly there immediately, Ivy’s voice sounded behind him.
He looked up and nodded. “Yeah.”
“Why aren’t you staying to eat a little longer?” he asked politely.
Ivy tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“I’ve been working out lately. I shouldn’t overeat.”
“I see.”
Luca replied absentmindedly, his attention already back on his phone as he typed a message to Trish.
He should let his sister know he was leaving before she found out on her own.
Less than a minute later, her reply arrived.
“Okay. I’ll just stay with my sisters for the next few days.”
“Sisters…?” Luca frowned.
’Wasn’t she staying with Naomi?’
Another voice message followed.
“Yep! Sister Vivienne, Sister Naomi, Sister Arabella and I are having dinner together right now, so don’t worry about me.”
After sending it, Trish happily put away her phone.
…
At that very moment, inside a popular restaurant, the four women occupied a quiet corner booth.
Vivienne covered her mouth with a laugh.
“Haha… I wish we could’ve seen your brother’s face after receiving that message.”
Naomi giggled.
“He probably panicked for a second before running off without thinking.”
Arabella calmly sipped her tea.
“Outwardly, perhaps. Inside… he’s probably secretly pleased.”
Vivienne sighed dramatically.
“That isn’t impossible. We’ve been far too lenient with him.”
Although Luca hadn’t explained why he suddenly rushed back to Ashford, all three women had already guessed.
It was almost certainly because of Sophie.
As for what Sophie looked like…
Trish had already been persuaded, after considerable coaxing and bribery, to show them her photos.
The verdict was unanimous.
She was breathtakingly beautiful.
A true little beauty.
Naomi had been the happiest after seeing the pictures.
Because she still believed she was the only woman capable of satisfying her husband in two completely different ways.
That was an advantage she had been born with.
Even Vivienne couldn’t compete in that regard.
Arabella had her own strengths, but still considered herself unmatched.
Between the three of them, no one understood Luca better.
When he first heard Trish’s voice message, his mind had gone completely blank.
But after calming down, another thought surfaced.
Since they would all eventually have to get along anyway, perhaps today was a good opportunity for them to become closer.
His brief panic gradually turned into anticipation.
Of course…
That confidence only existed because Vivienne was there.
If she hadn’t been present, he would probably have been breaking into a cold sweat by now.
’I should introduce Amelia to them soon… I wonder when she’ll be free.’
…
Roman acted immediately after receiving Luca’s message.
Barely ten minutes later, a black Porsche rolled up in front of the hotel.
The driver’s door opened, and a young man in uniform hurried over before respectfully opening the rear door.
“Mr. Hale, Manager Pierce sent me to take you to the airport. My name’s Carl.”
“Thank you.”
Luca nodded before getting into the car.
As the engine started, Ivy stepped closer.
A complicated look lingered in her eyes.
“Luca… when will you be back?”
“I don’t know.”
He shook his head honestly.
“My birthday is in two weeks. You…”
“We’ll see.”
He smiled apologetically.
“I’ve been really busy lately. I probably won’t have time.”
With that, he looked away, rolled up the window, and quietly instructed Carl,
“Let’s go.”
Carl said nothing.
He had watched the entire exchange in silence.
The moment he received the order, he stepped on the accelerator and drove away.
Through the rearview mirror, he caught one last glimpse of Ivy.
She remained standing where she’d been left behind.
Lonely.
Heartbroken.
Carl couldn’t help sighing inwardly.
’Why did she have to fall for Mr. Hale of all people?’
He genuinely felt sorry for the girl.
She never stood a chance.
Their boss would never fall for someone like her.
’Honestly… she’d probably have a better chance if she got married first and came back in a few years.’
’Mr. Hale seems to have a thing for young married women…’
When Carl had first heard that rumor, he’d laughed it off.
How could a man as wealthy and handsome as Mr. Hale possibly be interested in married women?
Then, one rainy night, everything changed.
A young woman arrived at his doorstep with a child in her arms, soaked to the bone as the rain poured behind her. With nowhere else to go, she quietly asked if she and her child could stay the night.
After everything that followed…
Carl finally understood him.
“Carl.”
Luca’s voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.
“Yes, Mr. Hale?”
“What exactly is that expression?”
Luca frowned.
He had never seen anyone wear such an… oddly excited smile.
Every few seconds, the driver peeked at him through the rearview mirror with an increasingly suspicious look.
’This guy seems normal enough…’
’Could he actually be gay?’
Carl scratched his head awkwardly.
“Hehe… Mr. Hale, I just feel honored.”
“Honored?”
“I’m happy that someone as successful as you shares the same interests as me.”
“No!”
Luca’s eyes widened.
He immediately shut that down.
“Listen carefully. I respect everyone’s personal preferences.”
“But don’t bring yours into work.”
“If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll fire you.”
Carl shrank back in confusion.
“Oh… understood.”
He still couldn’t figure out what he’d said wrong.
’So what if Mr. Hale likes young married women?’
’Considering his status, I guess it makes sense to keep it a secret.’
’After all, someone of his standing will probably end up marrying into a prestigious family.’
’If news of that preference got out… it definitely wouldn’t look good.’