Chapter 360: Chapter 360: The Ruse of Self-Injury
There was nothing she could do about Gavin Lynch’s intentions, so she just got up from the ground to check on Rosalind Lynch’s injuries.
Her body was covered in wounds of various sizes. Her face was swollen, there was a bruise at the corner of her mouth, and a slight trace of blood. She looked untidy and extremely disheveled.
Mrs. Lynch was both heartbroken and angry, yet helpless.
"Rosalind..."
She wanted to scold Rosalind Lynch a little, but Rosalind pushed Mrs. Lynch away with a dark face.
"If you don’t have the guts and ability to protect me, then don’t pretend to care!"
With that, she limped toward the stairs.
Mrs. Lynch was choked up, covering her mouth as she silently shed tears.
How did things turn out this way? How did their family come to this?
...
The next day came in no time.
Ashley Shaw was bustling about, packing her luggage.
There were expensive items they couldn’t use for school, like decorations. They gave those to Mrs. Chase’s son, the Prescott Family’s servant.
Some practical items they couldn’t take to Aethelgard, like pots and pans, they gave to the security guard at the entrance.
The guard, knowing they were going to sell the house, enthusiastically helped them contact people who buy second-hand furniture.
These people were professionals, arriving in large trucks when they came.
In just an hour, all the large furniture and appliances from the house were moved out.
They sold for a total of forty thousand.
Not much, but it was already a good price on the second-hand market.
Ariana Grant wasn’t concerned with the price; she cared about efficiency and quickly dealing with the house.
So getting more than forty thousand was already satisfying.
The other party paid in cash, and Ariana happily counted the money, saying, "I feel like a rich woman now. Shall we have a good meal this afternoon?"
Ashley Shaw, having just seen the second-hand furniture sellers out, turned around to hear Ariana say this and immediately laughed and asked, "Aren’t you dieting?"
Ariana’s face showed a look of indecision, and it took more than ten seconds before she said, "I’ll make an exception today! We’ll enjoy a good send-off for ourselves and have hot pot one last time in Westcroft!"
"No, don’t easily break the rules once you’ve started. How about this: you treat me to that stir-fry place at the community gate at noon, and I’ll order a few more dishes."
"Sure, no problem!"
Ariana said this and handed over eight red notes to her.
"What do you mean?"
"Wages! Come on, don’t say you won’t take it. I saw you injured the back of your hand while helping carry the chair."
Ashley Shaw raised her hand and looked, indeed seeing some skin scraped from the back of her right hand.
But it was just a little, hardly noticeable.
"If my future husband was as considerate as you, I’d be content."
"Then I need to study hard, try to earn money quickly after graduation, and save up to go to T Country and become a man to marry you."
"Come on, I’m afraid Leon Zeller would hunt me down."
Subconsciously, she no longer called Leon Zeller "The Wolves," but used his name directly.
"Then just take the money. You’ve stayed at my place, and I’ve caused you trouble."
"Why don’t you give a bit more? Eight hundred, just enough for my plane ticket."
"Ugh! Don’t think I don’t know you. If it’s a four-digit number, you’d refuse to take any of it."
Hearing this, Ashley Shaw’s back slightly tensed.
The eight hundred in her hand seemed to carry warmth, an indescribable feeling of heat in her heart.
She remembered the 888.8 from Claudia Jennings.
What Warren Prescott said at that time was similar to what Ariana said.
Claudia Jennings gave that amount, fearing she wouldn’t accept it.
But with Claudia Jennings, she didn’t consider her one of her own, but with Ariana, she is, although given her current need for money, she wouldn’t take it.
The same action, but different circumstances.
She awkwardly pulled a smile and took the money.
"Sometimes I really wonder if you’re the reincarnation of the worm in my belly."
"Get out of here! You were the worm in your previous life."
"Alright, alright, no more jokes, let’s do a final check to make sure we didn’t leave anything behind."
"Okay, nanny!"
Ashley feigned to hit her, and Ariana twisted around and ran back into her own room.
Meanwhile,
Rosalind Lynch finally arrived at the foot of Spectator Tower.
She changed into a simple white dress, like a swaying white rose in the wind, with noticeable injuries on her face and arms, making people feel concerned, afraid that this white rose might wither.
Even a security guard from Spectator Tower couldn’t help but step forward and ask, "Miss, do you need any help?"
Rosalind thought to herself that Gavin Lynch was right; this look indeed easily garnered sympathy.
Although the last thing she wanted was Warren Prescott’s sympathy, what other choice did she have?
As Gavin Lynch put it, he’s her father, so he understands him and knows that his words are not just mean but also true.
If things fell through, he would make her life a living hell.
Thinking of this made Rosalind shiver, appearing as if she might collapse.
The security guard’s heart softened further, and he asked, "Miss, what happened to you? Do you need me to call the police?"
Rosalind snapped back to reality and shook her head, saying, "Thank you, I don’t need that. I’m here to see Warren... I mean Warren Prescott, your boss."
"Oh! Please wait a moment, I’ll take you there now!"
Spectator Tower was just getting started, with various positions urgently hiring, and this security guard was new and just trained up today.
He knew the protocol was to call upstairs from the front desk to see Warren Prescott.
Once upstairs agreed, only then could he lead people to the elevator.
But upon hearing Rosalind blurt out "Warren," and seeing her covered in injuries, he guided her directly without thinking and led her to the elevator entrance.
The elevator required an employee card, so the guard swiped his card and helped her press the floor where Warren Prescott was located.
"I have to remain on watch, so I can’t escort you further."
Rosalind thanked him again and watched as the elevator door closed slowly, the corners of her lips curving into an indistinguishable arc.
This strategy of appealing to emotion seemed extremely effective.
But remembering Warren Prescott’s cold face made her jittery.
It worked on others, but Warren Prescott was different.
She clasped her hands together, hoping the heavens would help her one more time.
Just one last time.
Soon she reached the floor where Warren Prescott was, and Rosalind stepped out.
Meanwhile, Warren Prescott had just finished a morning meeting and was tending to a project at the Prescott Group Headquarters.
That project was one he took on when he first became "Mr. Prescott Jr.", a collaboration with Livia Sutton’s family.
It was his first development project, which he especially valued, and so he continued following up on it to this very day.
Previously, Director Sutton had Livia Sutton sign the contract with him because Director Sutton was truly ill and wanted to match the two. Now, it seemed Livia Sutton lacked enthusiasm, so Director Sutton bypassed her and dealt directly with him.
Two business people, one with experience, the other with talent, making discussion straightforward.
Two issues resolved swiftly and decisively.
After the call, Warren Prescott flipped through his contacts, his finger landing on Elder Prescott’s number.