Save Myself From Desperation novel Chapter 145

"Jeremy! How can you say that?" Bertha interrupted sternly, "Jessica is crying. She knows she was wrong!"

Jessica curled up in Bertha's arms, crying pitifully, her voice soft and weak. "Mom, I do realize my mistake this time..."

Jeremy was so angry that his vein throbbed. 'Jessica is just so good at playing the victim!'

Matthew looked around the living room. Besides Evan, Bertha, and Jessica, Charlie and Ryan were also here. Only Frankie was missing.

Where had Frankie gone?

Charlie looked at Jessica and frowned. He wanted to lecture her since he knew Jessica had stolen Ashley's design draft.

But seeing Bertha so protective of Jessica, unwilling to let her face even a word of rebuke, Charlie hesitated and eventually chose to stay out of it.

Still looking rugged as ever, Ryan glanced at Jeremy and Matthew, inquiring, "You two finally decided to come home?"

At the mention of this, Evan slammed on the table in anger. "When was the last time you two even came home, huh?"

Jeremy took a deep breath, suppressing his rage and disgust towards his family. He got straight to the point. "Mom, Dad, if you both don't like Ashley, then why did you bring her back to our family in the first place?"

Bertha was taken aback and frowned. Her words came out somewhat awkwardly. "Ashley is my daughter. What's wrong with bringing her back to the Ramos family after finding her lost?"

Matthew stared at Bertha's eyes. "Is it true?"

Bertha turned to Evan. "Evan, you tell them."

Evan was silent for a moment, then nodded calmly. "Indeed, that's the case. Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Jeremy and Matthew exchanged a glance and didn't believe it.

Bertha didn't continue this topic. Glancing at the darkening sky outside and hearing the patter of rain, she asked worriedly, "It's getting late, and it's raining outside. Why hasn't Frankie come back yet?"

Jessica replied softly, "After the design exchange dinner ended, Frankie rushed after Ashley. I haven't seen him since then."

"He chased Ashley?" Bertha pondered for a moment, then looked at Charlie. "Charlie, could you call Frankie and ask him to come back soon?"

Charlie nodded and called Frankie.

But the call went unanswered until it disconnected automatically.

Bertha's worry deepened. "What's with Frankie? Why isn't he answering his phone?"

Evan sighed. Frankie had always been ambitious, determined to grow the Ramos Group into a more significant enterprise at all costs. He wanted to make the Ramos Group a powerhouse.

The Ramos family had now fallen from grace, and Frankie had pinned his hopes on Attelia, who was Ashley, the sister he had always looked down upon. He must be at a loss now.

Bertha urged, "Ryan, please call Frankie."

"Sure." Ryan took out his phone and dialed Frankie.

This time, however, the call went straight to voicemail.

Bertha grew worried, tears welling up in her eyes.

She knew Frankie was hit hard, but where could he be? He was not coming home and answering the phone. Bertha feared for the worst, hoping nothing else had gone wrong.

*****

Meanwhile, Joseph dropped Ashley off at Kingsley Villa, but he didn't get out of the car. "There we go, mission accomplished! Valentin entrusted me to bring you home safely. Now, my job's done. Enjoy your lovely night!"

Ashley's eyes narrowed. "Just go if you're going to leave. Stop talking."

Joseph raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, no more talk. Ashley, say hi to Valentin for me... Oh, wait, you don't have to. He is coming out to take you."

Ashley turned around to see Valentin coming out from the living room.

The warm light from the living room highlighted his figure from behind, casting his tall figure.

"Wow, looks like your husband came out just for you. I guess that's my cue to leave!" Joseph chuckled, quickly driving off in his pink sports car.

Ashley was speechless.

Joseph sure had a way with words.

Turning back, Ashley saw Valentin standing on the steps in front of the living room, his legs long in his suit pants, exuding a mix of restraint and allure.

As she approached, she heard his deep, casual voice. "Why haven't you gotten the signature from Attelia for me yet?"