Chapter <b>236 </b>Ugly Trouble


    <b>Ashton </b>wasn’t blind. He could see perfectly well in the rearview mirror that his boss was still holding <b>Lily’s </b>


    hand.


    His vision cked out–twice.


    Last night, he’d clung to a sliver of hope. Maybe his boss was just going through a rebellious phase and only said he liked men to piss off the family.


    But when he saw that dark, ugly sissy through the window, all hope died on the spot. He nearly fainted right over the steering wheel.


    Still clinging to a thread of delusion, he tried to believe maybe his boss would be so horrified by the freak’s face that he’d cut ties for good.


    Instead, his boss held the freak’s hand..


    Watching that noble, exquisite, otherworldly face of his boss reflected side by side with that ghastly mug in the mirror–it made Ashton feel worse than if someone had stolen the precious cabbage he’d lovingly raised and handed it to a pig.


    Honestly, even if his boss liked men and couldn’t be turned back, Ashton could ept it–as long as the guy was at least good–looking.


    But no. Out of all the fine young men in the world, his boss had to choose the ugliest one.


    What was the appeal? Was it the hideousness? The huge nose? Theck of basic hygiene?


    Mr. Luke had made it very clear, if he ever caught his boss getting cozy with some random guy, he was to intervene at all costs–and report everything back immediately.


    But Ashton was so crushed, he didn’t even have the strength to interfere.


    He certainly didn’t have the guts to tell the old man. One glimpse of that monster’s face might give the guy a heart attack.


    He was so distraught, he couldn’t even drive straight.


    While turning a corner, the car nearly mmed into a line of hedges. He mmed the brakes just in time. to avoid a crash.


    The sudden jolt knocked Lily off bnce, and she tumbled right into James‘ arms.


    She carried a faint sweetness in her scent–soft and lingering–and the moment she collided with him, that scent burrowed deep into James‘ heart.


    As if bewitched, he couldn’t stop himself from pulling her in tighter, wrapping her snugly in his arms.


    Ashton stared, dead inside.


    He didn’t dare let his mind wander again. What if the car swerved and gave those <b>two </b>another <b>excuse </b><b>to </b>tumble into each other? Who knew what kind of “idental” contact might happen next?


    O


    <b>He </b>silently raised the divider to block the view and focused on the road, choosing <b>ignorance </b><b>over </b>heartbreak.


    Even behind the barrier, Ashton couldn’t stop thinking about Lily’s stunning face.


    Not because he had any inappropriate thoughts–God no.


    Purely from a ce of aesthetic appreciation, he had to admit: Lily was gorgeous.


    So why did his boss, who had such a beautiful wife, want nothing more than to divorce her–and instead fall head over heels for this hideous sissy?


    Honestly, just looking at that ugly face could ruin anyone’s appetite. How could his boss kiss that?


    Ashton wanted to cry.


    But he couldn’t. If he lost focus, the car might crash–and that freak might use the moment to cling to his boss again and get in some cheap grope.


    So he gritted his teeth and drove in silence.


    James brought Lily to the Luke family’s mountain resort.


    The scenery on the far side of the mountain was stunning–perfect for camping and barbecues.


    Ashton had already arrived early to set everything up. Tents were pitched, the grill was hot, and every kind of skewer imaginable was ready to go.


    “Boss…” Ashton shuffled over, reluctant to get close to that freaky face but even more afraid to leave and risk them getting <i>too </i>close. Better to stay and keep an eye on things.


    He ran over to the grill, smiling like apdog. “How about you and…”


    “Le.”


    James‘ voice was as cold as ever.


    Ashton forced the words out. “How about you and Mr. Li take a seat and rx? I’ll handle the grill.”


    “No need.”


    James clearly wanted time alone with Le. Thest thing he needed was a giant third wheel.


    “You drive back. Come pick us up again tonight.”


    <i>Tonight</i><i>?! </i>


    Ashton’s brain short–circuited.


    One–on–one. Alone, In the mountains. From morning till night.


    Who knew what might happen?


    What if his perfect, wless, dignified boss got <i>defiled </i>by that monstrous freak?


    “What are you still standing there for? Drive.”


    Ashton didn’t want to go.


    He wanted to stay and protect his boss’s virtue.


    But the sheer pressure radiating off James was too intense. In the end, Ashton could only take one <bst </b>look, then another, and another–reluctantly dragging himself away with tearful eyes.


    Once he got back into the car, he hugged the steering wheel and sobbed in silence.


    With the eyesore finally gone, James‘ mood lightened considerably.


    He expertly lit the charcoal, rolled up his sleeves, and began grilling.


    “Le, if you’re tired, feel free to rest in the tent. I’ll call you when the food’s ready.”


    Lily still wanted to draw a clear line between them.


    But she couldn’t for the life of her figure out how this had happened. She’d gone out of her way to make herself as ugly as possible–wasn’t he supposed to run for the hills?


    Why were they barbecuing?


    She had no idea how to face James right now. For the moment, it was better to shrink back into <i>the </i>tent like a turtle and figure out her next move.