Chapter 56
Such an idiot!
“Get out!” My whole body trembled with anger.
Nick only laughed as he strolled out. “Hahaha! Take care, Ms. Stovall.”
My head was pounding. Having two auditors for one company was utterly ridiculous!
“Ms. Stovall, should we let AC Credit take over the whole job? Mr. Harrison doesn’t seem very reliable,” Stacey suggested.
You’re preaching to the choir, sister. But Ashton had explicitly chosen Nick for this job.
I sighed and nodded. “I’ll talk to Ashton about it.”
On top of Macy’s situation, I now had a plate full of contractual issues, and my head felt like it was going to explode. Speaking of Macy, Ashton still hadn’t indicated whether he would help her or not.
I couldn’t sit back and do nothing. As I packed up my things, I instructed Stacey, “Keep an eye on Nick for me. I’m heading out to talk to Ashton. Also, check if we need any outstation inspections and compile a report.”
Stacey hesitated. “Ms. Stovall, are you okay?”
I forced a small smile. “I’m fine.”
Since Ashton had taken my car, I had to take a cab to the police station.
There wasn’t much progress on Macy’s case. She was being held for fifteen days for further investigation.
After arriving at the station, I managed to speak with the officer handling her case. Unfortunately, he only reiterated what I already knew—there were no new developments. Just as Jared had mentioned, the hotel’s security cameras were conveniently broken that night. Without evidence, Macy’s fate remained uncertain.
I wasn’t even allowed to see her.
Frustrated, I headed to Hour Bar, only to find it cordoned off. No one was allowed in.
Moments like these made me realize the brutal reality of society’s invisible hierarchy. The connections between power and privilege were deeply entrenched. Gathering enough evidence to free Macy on my own was next to impossible.
I had assumed Ashton would be at one of these locations, but I was wrong. His call came in just as I sat outside Hour Bar, feeling utterly drained.
His voice was clear despite the background noise. “Where are you?”
“I’m in the office,” I lied instinctively.
I regretted it instantly when his voice turned cold. “Since when is your office in such a dump?”
Startled, I looked up and saw my car parked a few feet away. Standing beside it was Ashton, his piercing obsidian eyes fixed on me.
Uh oh.
So that explained the background noise.
Sighing in resignation, I walked over and climbed into the passenger seat. Leaning back, I exhaled loudly. “What are you doing here?”
“That should be my question for you,” he said icily.
I ignored his retort and massaged my temples. “Nick from Harrison Credit says they’re only handling Fuller Corporation’s audit. They want nothing to do with Quinn Corporation.”
“Let AC Credit handle it,” Ashton replied smoothly, starting the car.
I frowned. “Both companies, or just Quinn Corporation?”
He scoffed, his eyes briefly flicking to me at a traffic light. “Are you planning to breach a contract you just signed?”
Right. I had signed an agreement with Harrison Credit. That meant AC Credit would handle Quinn Corporation’s audit.
As I adjusted in my seat, my shoulders and back ached again. Then I noticed we weren’t heading home. “Where are we going?”
“Dinner.”
Ashton was always curt and distant, so I didn’t push further. But when he pulled into an underground parking lot at a shopping mall, I couldn’t help but ask, “We’re having dinner at a mall?”
Is he taking me shopping first? That’s… surprisingly romantic.
Still offering no explanation, he led me into the mall. I never liked walking beside him. Tall, handsome, and exuding an aura of aloofness, he attracted far too much attention.
Most of it came from women—some subtly sneaking glances, others staring openly.
Trailing behind him, I muttered under my breath, “Show off.”
Abruptly, he stopped, and I bumped into his back. “Ouch! Why did you stop suddenly?”
“Don’t space out while walking.”
Then he pulled me into a luxury boutique. “Pick something nice. We’re meeting some people tonight.”
Meeting people? Who?
I froze for a moment. Fashion was not my strong suit.
Seeing my hesitation, Ashton gestured for a sales associate to assist me.
Eventually, we settled on a floral dress paired with a beige blazer. It was actually quite nice—perfect, even, with the right heels.