Chapter 52: Chapter 52: A One-Sided Beating
Claire Xavier let out a sigh of relief, seeing Ashley Shaw wasn’t someone who loved going to bars, besides, who goes to a bar wearing... loungewear?
Especially loungewear with a Hello Kitty printed on the chest pocket.
"Do you need help?"
"No, just drop me off at the door."
"Alright. Get in the car! Conveniently, it’s on the way."
Ashley Shaw nodded, she knew it was on the way, if it wasn’t she wouldn’t have had the nerve to ask Claire Xavier.
Ashley Shaw opened the passenger door to get in, recalling the second call from the sports committee while waiting for Claire Xavier.
She hadn’t planned to answer, but after hesitating, she still picked up.
The person on the other end told her that Warren Prescott hit someone because of her, and no one could stop him.
It’s uncertain if he really hit someone for her, but if Warren Prescott truly caused a fatal accident, she’s afraid Grandpa Prescott couldn’t bear it.
Given his age and the major heart surgery he’d had, if he found out, she couldn’t predict what would happen.
The car slowly started moving, Claire Xavier didn’t ask her who she was picking up, instead started telling the story of her ring.
"I once had a boyfriend I really liked."
Ashley Shaw turned her head, quietly listening to Claire Xavier.
"He graduated from Aethelgard University, but his dad was disabled, his mom was a cleaner, and he had to rely on donations from the entire village to afford his tuition."
Ashley Shaw was somewhat surprised.
"And then what happened?"
Claire Xavier gave a bitter smile and said, "Then, we broke up. I initiated the breakup."
Ashley Shaw glanced at the ring now back on Claire Xavier’s finger, her eyelashes trembling slightly.
"Do you still like him?"
"Yes."
"So why..."
Ashley Shaw stopped midway through her question, knowing it was unnecessary to ask further. Liking someone but breaking up meant it was parental disagreement.
The Xavier Family might not be as aggressive or large as the Prescott Family now, but their foundation is solid.
The Prescott Family rose only from Grandpa Prescott’s previous generation, whereas the Xavier Family had endured through dynastic changes, even covering two dynasties.
Their longstanding history and deep roots are evident.
They are true old money.
Such a family would certainly not accept a son-in-law from a family so ordinary, even struggling.
Even if that son-in-law had fought through countless challenges, walked the college entrance exam tightrope to Aethelgard University, journeyed from the mountains to the city, and was exceptionally capable.
Ashley Shaw rephrased, "Couldn’t let go, but have you looked for him afterwards?"
Claire Xavier’s eyes held a glimmer.
"He died."
"..."
"Car accident. On the night I broke up with him. When I ran to the scene, he was lying there, eyes half-closed, with a tear on his face."
"..." Ashley Shaw was speechless, simply gripping Claire Xavier’s hand holding the steering wheel.
"I once told him we’d open a dessert shop where sunflowers bloom, then live on a self-built farm, raising lots of animals, living a pastoral life. But I... couldn’t go, I can only open a dessert shop here."
Just as they reached a red light, Claire Xavier stopped the car, looking at her intently.
"So, Ashley, if you and Archie are together, don’t be scared. I chickened out and got scared, losing my most loved person, but if it’s you and Archie, even if it costs my life, I’ll support you both."
Ashley Shaw’s throat felt bitter.
She lowered her head, feeling full of guilt inside.
"I’m sorry..."
Ashley Shaw’s voice was dry as she said, "Sorry, Ms. Grant, I’m not with Cillian the way you think..."
Claire Xavier curved into a smile.
"I know, he’s pining for you!"
"Then why would you..."
Claire Xavier gave her a look with a strong sense of force and said, "Just want to tell you, in case you decide to consider Archie in the future, don’t factor in the issues of my family. You and him, are just you and him. I’m behind you both. After all, you can’t say for sure about the future, maybe one day you’ll suddenly find him appealing?"
Ashley Shaw felt touched in her heart.
Even though she only had gratitude for Claire Xavier and no other feelings, at this moment she couldn’t help but be moved, feeling slightly guilty too.
"I’m very envious of him, having such a good sister like you."
"Then you haven’t seen how I beat him up when we were kids."
Ashley Shaw laughed, Claire Xavier laughed too.
The red lights turned green, and the car started moving again.
Twenty minutes later, the car stopped at The Queen’s Bar.
"Go on! Be safe, call me or Archie anytime if you need anything. I gotta head back, my family has a curfew for me."
"Thank you, Ms. Grant."
Ashley Shaw got off the car, waved, and watched Claire Xavier leave.
Then turned and walked quickly into The Queen’s Bar.
To her surprise, the bar was quiet inside, directly she pulled aside the curtain and stepped in, seeing only the sports committee member and Warren Prescott inside the bar.
Yet, the place was a mess.
Ashley Shaw walked over, seeing Warren Prescott fast asleep in the booth.
"Ashley Shaw, you’re finally here..."
The sports committee member came over excitedly.
Expressionless, Ashley Shaw bent down, expertly placing a pillow under Warren Prescott’s head to prevent vomit from causing suffocation.
This action she’d done countless times, hard not to be proficient.
Once done, she straightened up and asked the sports committee member.
"Who did he hit?"
She hadn’t had the chance to ask on the phone because Claire Xavier’s call had come in too.
"Kane, we all call him Buck."
"Why did he hit him?"
"That guy, seems he gave you trouble before, after that Warren wouldn’t hang out with him. Today, somehow he heard Warren was here and shamelessly came over..."
As the sports committee member described, Ashley Shaw’s mind pictured a fat figure.
The guy who held a grudge because she refused to sell cigarettes to minors when she worked at a convenience store.
That fat guy was later kicked out by Warren Prescott from the store, and she hadn’t seen him since.
Unexpectedly, he got hit tonight.
The sports committee member continued, "That guy’s a fool, Warren told him to get lost, but he just stubbornly sat there. Later, seeing no one was paying him any attention, he got agitated and shouted, ’a freak is more important than a brother?’, then Warren started hitting him with a bottle."
Warren Prescott is a black belt in Taekwondo, Ashley Shaw could imagine it wasn’t a fight but more like a beating.
"Where is he?"
"Sent to the hospital."
"Where are the others?"
"The bar manager cleared out all the guests, oh, forgot to mention, this bar was invested by Warren."
Ashley Shaw nodded, she knew.
"Where’s the manager?"
"The manager is in the office over there now, probably calling the people who took Kane to the hospital. Shall I get him over?"
"Okay."
The sports committee member quickly left, Ashley Shaw’s gaze fell onto Warren Prescott’s face.