Save Myself From Desperation novel Chapter 249

Cara tightly grasped her phone, exerting so much force that her joints turned white.

Little did she expect Lester to play such a move without warning.

The fact that she grew up in an orphanage had spread widely on the Internet. In addition, her facial features resembled Ashley's, which meant she looked somewhat like Karen. Cara thought it would attract the attention of the Pliskin family and lead them to recognize her as their lost daughter.

Indeed, Lester had come looking for her before. That day in the coffee shop, she refused to acknowledge herself as the Pliskin family's lost daughter at first, fearing it would be perceived as an attempt to gain financial benefits.

In anticipation, after the coffee shop encounter, Lester would approach her again for a DNA test.

Tyler had been collaborating with the Pliskin family for many years. His medical skills were exceptional, and his qualifications were profound. He was the go-to person for DNA tests to find the lost daughter. All it took was a slight alteration by Tyler in her and the family's DNA results, showing she had a blood relationship with the Pliskin family. Then she could successfully become the family's lost daughter, and Ashley would never relate to the Pliskin family at all.

However, Cara never expected Lester to make such a move today.

On the other end of the phone, Tyler was so angry that he gritted his teeth. "The entire plan has been disrupted!"

George always took Tyler along during the previous two DNA tests conducted between Ashley and the Pliskin family. He was adamant that the tests be performed by their trusted collaborator, Tyler, who had worked with the family for many years. Tyler manipulated the test results two times, indicating no blood relation between Ashley and the family.

The Pliskin family's youngest daughter went missing during her childhood, and, of course, it was related to him.

Tyler had no intention of letting Ashley and her family recognize each other. But...

Tyler paced back and forth, fuming, then squinted and said, "Cara, Lester did this because he doesn't trust you. He must be secretly investigating your identity. You need to limit contact with me. We can't let the Pliskin family know my involvement."

"Alright, I understand, Mr. Morgan."

After hanging up, Cara looked up at the glaring sun in the sky.

It wasn't until her eyes stung and tears welled up from the intense light that she averted her gaze.

She thought, 'Ashley... This is the last time. I would not let you have it easy next time.'

*****

In the hospital room, Zain, Ralph, and Maggie were nowhere to be seen. Ashley stood by Valentin's bedside.

When Joseph entered the room, he saw untouched food on the table, furrowing his brow. "Ashley, you have to eat something."

Ashley tucked Valentin in and casually replied, "I'll eat later."

Joseph didn't believe her at all. He walked over and forcefully sat Ashley down at the small table. "No, you have to eat now. I need to see you eat."

This was Ashley's favorite meal that Zain specially asked the chef from Kingsley Villa to prepare.

But Ashley had little appetite. She rubbed her forehead and said, "I'm not hungry now. I'll eat later."

Joseph stared at her, and suddenly, tears welled up in his eyes. "Don't wait any longer. How can I explain to Valentin if he wakes up and sees you've lost so much weight in just three days? If he knows you haven't taken care of yourself, he'll break my legs!"

Ashley didn't answer.

Joseph pitifully lamented. "Ashley, consider it as preventing Valentin from beating me and also to spare my legs from being broken. You really should make an effort to eat more."

Ashley was speechless. It seemed as if his life depended on her taking a bite of this meal right away.

"Alright, alright, I'll eat. I'll eat now, okay?" Ashley sighed in resignation.

"That's great!" Joseph immediately handed her the cutlery. "Eat more. If Valentin sees you lose weight, he'll be heartbroken!"

Ashley didn't know how to respond to that.

While Ashley reluctantly ate, Joseph went to check on Valentin.

Strangely, Valentin had shown no physical reactions since that slight movement of his fingers. What was going on?

Joseph sighed heavily. Now, he was no longer the carefree and wealthy man he used to be.

All he wished for was for Valentin to wake up soon.

Although Ashley had little appetite, she made an effort to consume a substantial portion of the meal to avoid worrying people.

Shortly after putting down the cutlery, she received a call from Laura.

Ashley walked to the side and answered the call, "Hello, Laura."

"Ashley." Laura's voice was as brisk as ever. "Recently, some movie producers have been interested in casting you. One script is related to racing, with the female lead as a car driver. Another script is about artifact restoration, with the female lead as an artifact restorer. I've carefully reviewed both scripts, and they seem promising. Do you want to come to the company and take a look and see if you'd like to take on these roles?"

"Laura, I can't go right now."