Chapter 426
The
government
officials arranged lunch
for
the
corporate
Menu
representatives.
After the meeting, Ashley gathered her things and got up to leave. Chase followed her.
The Cooper and Adler families were quite close. Exiting the conference room, Jeffery greeted
David.
Ignoring Jeffery, Ashley also greeted David.“Mr. Adler, it’s good to see you.” David smiled, speaking warmly.“You may call me Uncle.”
Ashley smiled.“Uncle David.”
Jeffery was stunned. If he remembered correctly, Vincent’s art exhibition was where Ashley and David had first met. Even though David had been polite to Ashley because of Tim, they weren’t exactly close. But now, David not only recognized Ashley immediately but also treated her extremely warmly, as if she were a child he’d watched grow up. And Ashley, while being a junior, was neither subservient nor arrogant. It was as if…
At that moment, Chase approached.“Uncle David.”
David’s smile faded slightly upon seeing Chase. The Adler and Sterling families weren’t particularly close, and he and Chase had only occasionally intersected professionally over the years. Previously, David had found Chase exceptionally brilliant, remarkably, humble and polite. He’d never paid attention to Chase’s personal life.
But last year, at his father’s art exhibition, he noticed Chase had a girlfriend, and it seemed to be common knowledge. Conversely, no one seemed to know about his marriage to Ashley. They had appeared completely unfamiliar with each other then.
So, learning that Ashley’s husband was Chase, and that they had a child, had been quite a shock to David. However, judging by what had happened at his father’s exhibition last year, perhaps they had already divorced by then.
They proceeded to the dining area. As they were seating themselves, Chase moved to sit next to Ashley.
Jeffery frowned. During the meeting, he’d noticed Chase speaking to Ashley. Though he couldn’t hear their conversation, he knew how much Ashley hated Tanya. However, Chase’s demeanor towards Ashley was incredibly gentle, as if they had been old friends. Now, Chase was deliberately sitting next to her…
Jeffery’s frown deepened.
Ashley listened to David and the other officials while quietly eating. Chase, although seated next to her, was chatting with others. He didn’t bother her.
Towards the end of the meal, Chase finally spoke.“Sam starts school in a few days. Will you take him on the first day?”
Ashley lowered her gaze.“I’m busy. I don’t think I can make it.”
Chase simply
simply smiled.“Okay, I understand.” He turned back to the others. Jeffery paid close attention to them. Seeing Chase speak to Ashley again in front of so many people, he thought he might be overreacting. Besides, Speed and Eternal were collaborating; perhaps Chase was merely being polite.
The meal was almost over, and Jeffery looked away. Seeing David, he remembered something
Menu
and texted Matt.“Did your father and Ashley know each other before your grandfather’s exhibition?”
Given Matt’s work, Jeffery thought he wouldn’t respond soon. However, Matt was on leave that day and replied promptly.“No, why?”
