A Love Trap
Chapter 111 In L City

Claire could clearly see that Andrew was really nice to Ashley and that Ashley also cared about him. She just didn't know what had happened to the couple to make them act like this. "No, Claire. Why do you ask?" Ashley asked as she ate, surprised that Claire had noticed.

"It is obvious. I can see that. You haven't talked to Mr. Lu once these past few days. And didn't you use to go to work together before? So why do you go separately now?"

Ashley hadn't thought that Claire would be so observant. She still wanted to keep the truth under wraps and said, "It isn't proper to speak while eating, so we don't talk at such times.

We don't go to work together because we don't go to the same place. His company is in the opposite direction to the place where I work. So I think it's not appropriate to bother him and I don't ask him to drive me." It could be said that Ashley was good at giving random excuses.

But Claire was clever. She was older and had lived longer than them, with a variety of life experiences. She could see through everything about them and was even clearer about the situation than the couple. She knew that what Ashley had said was partly true and partly false.

"Miss Mu, to be frank, Mr. Lu does care about you. No matter what has happened between you two, he is still concerned about you.

He did something for your own good, but he didn't know how to express his feelings. Maybe he talked tough, but he meant only good for you.

I can see that Mr. Lu is not good at expressing his feelings, but in front of you, he talks more, so please try to understand him when he doesn't.

If there is something wrong, just talk to him and explain things to him clearly. I believe Mr. Lu is easy to get along with." Ashley hadn't noticed this, but Claire had.

Every time they had dinner, Andrew would look at Ashley, with obvious love in his eyes.

Sometimes he wanted to say something, but he didn't know where to start, so he would close his mouth and go back to whatever he was doing. Claire had seen that and had gotten anxious.

"We really didn't have a fight," Ashley said, staring at Claire hopelessly.

"Claire, whose side are you on? You're actually helping him." Ashley felt rather depressed.

"Of course I am on your side, Miss Mu. A couple may quarrel but will make up soon after. It's no big deal."

Ashley blushed. It was not a matter that could be solved through explanation. Andrew had such a strong possessive desire and would tell anybody to do what he asked for. She was not an employee in his company. Why should she listen to him? And he had even sent someone to spy on her!

"Alright, Claire. I am going to work."

Ashley didn't want to talk about this any more. She stood up, preparing to leave.

"Miss Mu, think about what I said just now. You know I only have your best interests at heart."

"I know, Claire. I just need to leave."

Ashley took her bag and turned around to see Andrew standing at the door.

Ashley wanted to say hello to him, but she remembered that they were not on speaking terms. So she shut up and walked past him.

Claire shook her head. It was still not working.

Andrew's eyes were fixed on Ashley even after she had walked out.

"Sir, have you forgotten anything?"

Andrew shook his head casually. He now thought that Claire was agreeable, after having heard what she had just said to Ashley.

However, he wouldn't admit that he had returned because he had waited for Ashley in the car for a long time but didn't see her come out. He was afraid that something had gone wrong. So he had returned to have a look. Ashley had called Ellie several times, but her calls went unanswered. And so many days had passed. Ellie was supposed to be back by now. But why hadn't she come back? Was there something wrong?

Ashley took out her cellphone and called Ellie again.

"Sorry, the subscriber you are calling cannot be reached. Please redial later."

"Sorry, the subscriber..."

Ashley furrowed her brows. Had something happened to Ellie?

Ashley didn't care about anything else. So she told a worker in the shop that she was leaving. She then called a cab and headed to the bus station.

She bought a ticket for 4 o'clock in the afternoon and got on the bus. It would take two hours to reach L City. In the meantime, she kept calling Ellie with the same result. She just couldn't connect to her. In L City

In a small hospital in a town

An old man was lying on the bed. He was about seventy years old, with a wrinkled face. He looked like he had experienced many vicissitudes in life.

A young lady who was in her early twenties sat at the bedside. She was dressed simply but her eyes and brows were beautiful, like a sculpture. Ellie said, "Grandpa, eat some food."

As she tried to coax him, she blew on the food in the spoon to cool it down, and then fed the old man.

The old man closed his mouth tightly and didn't eat. He looked at Ellie, "Ellie, I'm feeling much better now. You just go back to work. Don't waste your time here." The old man's voice was hoarse, like a dry branch.

"Grandpa, eat it now. I will go back after you recover. Ashley is there, and she can handle everything. It's fine. Just relax."

"I am so old and don't really need to be in hospital. What's more, I don't feel like staying here. I want to stay at home. Ellie, ask the doctor to let us leave. Let's go home," the old man pleaded.

"Grandpa!" Ellie said calmly, "I have money. I've made a lot of money these past years. And nothing is more important to me than your health. You are old and need to take care of your health. You need to see me getting married and to look after my child. Right?

So please eat something now. I made it. Please give it a try and see if it is delicious."

The old man was stubborn and turned his head, unwilling to eat.

Ellie sighed. She knew why she was stubborn. It looked like she had learnt all of it from her grandpa.

Ellie softened. She had to compromise one way or another, so she said gently, "Grandpa, eat now. We will leave hospital tomorrow if you eat this now, OK? You know you have stayed here for a long time, and it takes time to apply to leave hospital, right? You have to eat first."

As he heard Ellie's words, the old man turned back and stared at her. "Really?"

Ellie nodded. "Yes, Grandpa. When have I ever lied to you?"