Chapter <b>23 </b>


    Heath narrowed his eyes. Even when Regina had pped Veronica earlier, she hadn’t reacted this strongly.


    But now? She was fighting him over the food containers.


    He frowned and tried to yank them from her arms.


    He was much stronger. Veronica clutched the food containers desperately. Her face, already swollen and red from the p, now turned even redder from the strain. She’d rather feed this soup to dogs than let this group of people drink it.


    During the struggle, Heath lost his temper. “Stop making a scene and let go!”


    Veronica clenched her teeth. However, she was no match for the man’s strength, and the food containers were about to be pulled away.


    Suddenly, a pale, well–defined hand appeared and pressed the containers down. Along with it came a


    man’s leisurely inquiry. “Is this a food drive? Do you want me to set up a stall for you?”


    The struggle ended instantly. Veronica hugged the food containers that had nearly been knocked over,


    looking gratefully at the neer.


    Ashton had changed out of his hospital gown today and was wearing a ck trench coat, making his


    already tall frame even more imposing. When he wasn’t speaking, his cold presence made it impossible


    to look him in the eye.


    Veronica looked away and lowered her head, shrinking back slightly. Ashton’s gaze swept over the shocking handprint on her face, and his gaze darkened.


    Heath had released his grip the moment Ashton appeared. He silently sized up the man before him,


    g him somewhat familiar. As he wondered if this was the person who had saved Veronica at the


    al that day, he felt inexplicably annoyed.


    or’s eyes moved between the group, and she gently stepped forward to take Heath’s arm. “You must Mr. Fletcher. We apologize for the disturbance. We’ll leave right away.”


    That was when it clicked for Heath. He reached into his coat and handed Ashton a business card. “I’ve


    heard a lot about you, Mr. Isaiah Fletcher,”


    The Fletcher family had two sons–Isaiah Fletcher<b>, </b>the older one, was known for being low–key but powerful. He was the real decision–maker behind the Fletcher empire. He was married with a daughter.


    The younger son, Ashton, was <b>rarely </b>in <b>the </b>country and seldom made news. Hence, Heath naturally


    assumed the man before him was Isaiah.


    Ashton casually nced at the business card and didn’t bother to correct Heath’s assumption about his identity. Instead, he said, “Oh, so it’s you. And this must be Mrs. Tate, the wife you keep hidden away like a treasure.”


    Eleanor blushed charmingly as she nestled against Heath’s side.


    Ashton turned his head toward her, his eyes gleaming faintly with amusement. “The way you protected Mrs. Tate that day in the hospital really left a deep impression on me. You two are truly devoted to each other.”


    Heath’s expression froze.


    Ashton continued, “Speaking of which, Ms. Dolton was quite unlucky. I saw that knife came within inches of piercing her heart.”


    Veronica listened from the side, and her rxed grip tightened again. The images from that day shed through her mind once more as she listened to Ashton’s description. So, she really had almost died.


    Each “innocent”ment from Ashton made Heath’s expression turn uglier.


    Finally, Ashton asked as if just realizing, “Wait… You all know each other?”


    “Yes.” The unease in Heath’s heart grew heavier, and he subtly distanced himself from Eleanor. “Thanks for helping my wife that day, Mr. Fletcher. I’ll make sure to thank you properly sometime.”


    Eleanor’s smile froze for a moment, and her eyes began to shimmer with tears. “Actually… Mr. Fletcher, there’s a misunderstanding. Heath and I are just friends. We’ll let you rest now. Please excuse us.”


    Ashton raised a brow, feigning sudden understanding. The moment Eleanor turned and stepped into the elevator, tears began to fall.


    Miriam, anxious, tugged Heath’s sleeve. “Dad! Ms. Turner is crying. Go check on her!”


    Heath’s bro


    bed. He nodded stiffly and gave a rushed farewell. “Mr. Fletcher, we’ll take our leave.”


    e elevator.


    dismissive chuckle<i>. </i>


    Regina and the kids scrambled to follow. This left Veronica alone at the scene.


    was long ustomed to being abandoned like this, and this had happened countless times.


    ngering pain on her face continued pulsing, making it impossible to ignore.


    Ashton stopped smiling and stared <b>at </b><b>the </b>injury on her face. “Didn’t I tell you to wait <b>in </b>the room? Why didn’t you <i>go </i>in?” he asked coldly.


    William had just rushed back and stumbled upon this scene, wishing he could stuff himself back into the <b>elevator</b>. He silently cursed, “Damn it! Mr. Fletcher didn’t make <b>it </b><b>in </b>time!<b>” </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>24 </b>


    Ashton teased, “Standing there taking a beating wit