When There Is Nothing Left But Love
Chapter 421

Chapter 421

The rest of the staff filed into the office. They caught sight of Colin passing an ointment to me butignored us promptly.

Since it wasn’t a serious injury, I shooed Colin away. “I’m fine. Go and do your work!”

Thinning his lips, he glanced at me, then at the female employees who were staring in our directionbefore complying.

Just then, Joyce returned to the office as her shift had ended. When she noticed the medical plaster onmy knee, she mocked, “The sight of a wealthy and influential person must have weakened the knees ofan uneducated peasant like you. Such a disgrace!”

I pressed my lips together but did not retaliate. Although I was in a rush just now, I knew the truereason I had tripped.

I knew everyone working in the hotel, and there had only been a few people around me at that time. Itmade sense that Joyce, who had been standing closest to me, was the culprit behind my injury.

After tending to my bruised knee, I walked to the water dispenser and filled a cup with boiling water.

I neared Joyce and asked coolly, “Your face or hand — what’s your choice?”

Her face turned a ghastly white when she noticed the hot water in the cup. “Scarlett, what are youtrying to do? I’m warning you. My father is the county mayor of R Province. If you dare lay a finger onme, I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life.”

I nodded nonchalantly, unfazed by her threats. “I suppose I’ll just wait and see!”

Before she could react, I seized her arm and poured scalding water on her porcelain skin. Shescreamed in agony, but I kept my grip on her and emptied the cup.

As she thrashed around in pain, I said emotionlessly, “Ms. Newton, please plan your schemes betternext time. I will let you off easy this time, but I fear your pretty face will have to bear the consequencesif this happens again.”

“You—”

I cut her off as a thought struck me. “By the way, since you claim that your father is such an importantofficial, it might be good for him to retire now. After all, R Province never flourished under hismanagement despite its advantageous environment. Our economy has been stagnant for the entiretime he was in office. It’s about time he stepped down.”

With those parting words, I took the ointment and left the office.

By the time I reached the ground floor, Colin had pulled up at the entrance. “Get in!” he beckoned.

I raised an eyebrow and was prepared to reject his offer when I remembered my limping gait.Resigned, I slid into the car and put on my seatbelt.

His gaze swept over me. “I’ll drop by the pharmacy to buy medicine before sending you home,” heannounced.

I looked down at my ankle, which had almost doubled in size by now, and did not protest.

“You and Ashton know each other?” Colin blurted after we had long since left the hotel.

I froze before chuckling humorlessly. “Do I look like someone who has connections with the filthy rich?”

He pursed his lips and contemplated solemnly. “Yes!” There was a lapse before he continued, “He wasstaring at you the whole time just now. It looks like things are complicated between you two.”

Smiling, I didn’t admit nor deny his speculation.

By the time I reached home, I had given up battling my swollen ankle and slumped unceremoniously ina rattan chair.

Unexpectedly, I fell into a slumber, only to be awoken by a loud knock on the door.

Streaks of tears wetted my face.

It had been a long time since I last cried or dreamt of that child. He had grown up well. He lookedhealthy and was heavier than I remember.

The incessant knocks on the door urged me to hurry up. I wiped away my tears and splashed somewater on my face to wake myself up.

I swung the door open.

To my surprise, Ashton appeared in my line of sight. Backlit by the sun, a golden halo surrounded hislean frame. His expression was somber, and his dark eyes were deep as ever. His Adam’s applebobbed when he saw me, giving away the churning emotions within him.

A large hand grasped mine before I could utter a word. “I can’t do it. I can’t act like I don’t know you.I’ve tried to let you go for the last four years, but you’re stuck in my head. I can’t forget you,” headmitted.

He has changed!

He’s not the same anymore. The Ashton I knew would never say anything so corny.

I sighed softly and withdrew my hand. “Mr. Fuller, please come in for a seat,” I offered, my tonecourteous but distant.

I suppose I wasn’t too astounded. This encounter was not filled with heartache and yearning as I hadimagined. Four years was enough to heal a lot of wounds.

Even my resentment for him had faded into nothing.

He stepped into the yard and sat on the rattan chair. I offered some fruit I had picked the day before asI would any guest. A smile stretched across my face, but my tone was detached. “This is home-grown.The texture is lovely if I do say so myself. Please have a taste.”

He stared at me, his gaze deep and unwavering. After a long moment, he nodded and took a small biteof the peach.

He savored the fruit before looking at me. “It’s sweet,” was his earnest compliment.

I nodded in response. Four years had stolen my love for chatter.

At that moment, Colin came home with Summer and Michael. He faltered when he saw the man in ouryard. However, as a man of culture, he quickly composed himself and bowed his head in greeting.“Good evening, Mr. Fuller!”

Realizing that Ashton had no recollection of Colin, I interjected, “He’s the hotel manager.”