When There Is Nothing Left But Love
Chapter 677

Chapter 677

Tessa then walked up to me and asked me to sing with her.

I was no idiot; it was clearly a business maneuver on Derek’s part to use alcohol and pretty ladies as asocial lubricant to loosen Ashton up in order to help their subsequent business discussion.

I did not like singing, and Tessa’s incessant pestering was starting to get under my skin.

I finally stood up and said, “It’s late, we should head back to Nora and Armond.”

Tessa was momentarily taken aback, but quickly replaced her expression with a smiling face. “There’sno rush. Let’s have more fun here before we go!”

She then poured me a glass of wine before she continued to persuade me to stay, “Scarlett, since weare now officially friends, we should drink for it!”

This woman is just too calculative to be a good candidate for either a friend or a colleague.

But since the wine glass was already pushed into my hand, it would be rather rude for me to decline.

Before the glass touched my lips, a hand flashed before my eyes and took over the glass.

When I turned around, Ashton had already downed the glass of wine for me.

Before I snapped out of my bewilderment, Tessa said alluringly, “Mr. Fuller, are you trying to be a heroto the damsel in distress?”

The woman then looked like she tried but failed to mimic a seductive laugh. The result of which wassomewhat disturbing, because, rather than a Cinderella, she now resembled a smiling Cruella.

“Mr. Fuller, I have known Scarlett a long time, but I have no idea she knows someone as charming asyou. It’s such a pleasure meeting you today. Let’s keep in touch and maybe we can hang out

sometime. Cheers to a new friendship!” It was the classic playbook for “How to get that guy”.

Ashton looked at me with his eyes darkened a little. I wasn’t sure what was in his mind when he tookover a drink from Tessa and clinked glass with her. “Since you’re Scarlett’s friend, it’s a pleasure tomake your acquaintance. Thank you for looking after Scarlett.”

Tessa was suddenly star-struck, for this seemed to be the first time Ashton had addressed her directly.“Ah, don’t mention it. Scarlett and I had been through life and death together, we’re friends for life now.”

Upon hearing this, Ashton was a little startled when he shifted his gaze at me quizzically. “Life anddeath?”

Biting my lips, I wished Tessa would just shut her big mouth.

Tessa, on the other hand, felt encouraged that Ashton seemed to be interested in what she said andhappily continued, “That’s right! We were brought to Venria not long ago and had been through hell,almost losing our lives. We barely managed to escape unscathed from Venria and came back to thecountry in one piece. So, that’s how Scarlett and I have become friends.”

Ashton’s eyes grew increasingly inexplicable by the second. He darted a glance at Joseph who hadjust walked into the room.

While I still wondered what that was about, Joseph sat down next to Tessa and they started chattingaway. Before long, they had exchanged phone numbers and added each other on WhatsApp.

That’s weird, I thought Joseph hates to social?

Ashton wrapped his arm around me, without caring so much about those around us. “Did you hide thatfrom me because you didn’t want me to worry?” he asked in a lowered voice.

Pursing my lips, I replied flatly, “No.”

His voice had assumed a resolute tone when he spoke smilingly in my ear next moment, “I don’t knowthe meaning of freedom, so I will not let you go. Since you refuse to walk toward me, I’ll walk towardyou.”

The man’s profession had caused a sudden warm stream to flash across my heart. To conceal myemotions, I lowered my gaze and gulped down another drink.

“If you wish to torture me, you may continue so,” I said while attempting to sound calm and collected.

His arm tightened around me. “Do you have to be like this?” his voice was croaky.

I pursed my lips and downed a few more drinks.

In the meantime, Tessa had attempted a few times to strike up a conversation with Ashton, but eachtime, her attempt was blocked by Joseph.

Finally, feeling fed up, she stood up and looked at me. “Scarlett, I think it’s time to go back. Nora mightbe looking for us now.”

I nodded, wishing she had said that a long while ago.

Before I could stand up though, Ashton’s arm pressed against my shoulder as he turned to Joseph andordered, “Send Ms. Dixon back.”

An annoyance crept up Tessa’s face as she spoke, “Mr. Fuller, Scarlett, and I came together. I think itonly makes sense that she leaves with me.”

“That’s not necessary. I’ll send her back later.”

“I don’t think that’s very appropriate, Mr. Fuller. Scarlett is a married woman, I’m sure her husband willbe worried if she’s back late. Please don’t make this difficult for me.”

Tessa’s rapid revelation of my private life had successfully attracted the gazes of a few people who hadpaid no attention to me. Everyone was now holding their breaths to see how things were going to panout.

Ashton smiled playfully as his vision fell on me. “That’s good. Keep it up”

What the…

Seeing that Ashton was unfazed by her presumably new information, Tessa turned to me and smiledknowingly. “So, Mr. Fuller. Does this mean you’re already aware that Scarlett is married?”

“Hmm.” The man nodded. “Ms. Dixon, please get going.”

Upon hearing the ambiguous reply from Ashton, a menacing smile spread across Tessa’s face.