Chapter 425
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After work, Ashley and Tim arrived at Burke’s villa. Burke was on a call, frowning. Seeing them, he hung up, sat down, and said, “After reviewing your research, a few people want to meet you. I’ll introduce you when the opportunity arises.”
Ashley nodded obediently.“Okay.”
Her research had been officially approved for national funding. Burke then discussed the details with her.
Afterwards, Ashley and Tim asked Burke a few questions before leaving late at night. The next morning, in the office, Ashley was reviewing the resumes for the tech department that HR had pre–screened. Then, she paused.
Tim was nearby. Seeing her expression, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I saw Tanya’s resume.”
Tim raised an
eyebrow,
smiling.“She actually
applied? She’s persistent.”
Ashley didn’t speak, directly throwing Tanya’s resume away.
Tim was going on a business trip that afternoon.“I’ll leave you with the roundtable discussion the day after tomorrow.”
Ashley said, “No problem.”
The roundtable discussion was a government–business summit convened by the city government. Only about thirty companies were invited.
Ashley, representing Eternal, arrived at the venue. As she got out of her car, she saw a familiar face. She paused briefly, then looked away. She walked up the steps into the lobby.
Jeffery watched Ashley’s back. As he was about to follow, someone called him.“Mr. Cooper”
Jeffery turned.“Mr. Sterling.”
Chase shook hands with him.“It’s been a while.”
“Indeed.”
They chatted as they walked upstairs to the conference room. Each seat had a company nameplate. Ashley was already seated at hers when they entered. Both Jeffery and Chase saw her. Jeffery was
surprised when
Chase remained impassive.
he
saw
Chase’s seat
was next to
Ashley’s.
The conference table was rectangular. Jeffery was seated opposite Ashley and Chase. Chase nodded at him with a smile before sitting down next to Ashley.
Ashley silently looked at her phone, showing no intention of greeting him.
Chase,
Busy
however,
leaned
toward
thinner. look her.“You
these days?”
Ashley knew he was talking to her, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she was reading her
documents.
Someone approached Chase, and he got up to greet them. After a while, everyone had arrived, including David and other government officials.
Seeing Ashley and Chase, David paused. Like Derek, when Ashley said she was married, he didn’t know who she’d married. Only after Derek’s dinner with Ashley did he learn from Derek that she was married to Chase. They were sitting together but acting like strangers. David looked
away.
The roundtable discussion began. Ashley and Chase didn’t speak until it was their turn to give a speech.
