Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Can You Forgive Me?
Ashley Shaw was just about to explain when Cillian Xavier spoke first.
"Warren, even though your family adopted Ashley, she is still an independent person who can make her own choices. You adopted her, not imprisoned her, so I believe that the final decision should be hers. Whether she studies abroad or not has nothing to do with you, or with Elder Prescott."
Warren Prescott’s smile deepened, and the sarcasm in his eyes became more apparent.
"If her going abroad has nothing to do with my grandfather or me as her brother, then what does it have to do with you, Cillian Xavier?"
Cillian Xavier’s face stiffened, and Warren continued, "From what I just heard, she hasn’t even given you an answer, has she?"
Cillian Xavier’s expression became even more rigid.
He almost mechanically turned his neck to look at Ashley Shaw.
"Ashley, have you made up your mind?"
He paused and added before Ashley could respond, "Answer according to your true feelings, without considering anyone else. No one should become a stumbling block in your pursuit of your dreams."
Warren Prescott raised an eyebrow.
Stumbling block?
Isn’t that like directly reporting his ID number?
Warren chuckled darkly, looking at Ashley Shaw.
"He’s right, answer according to your own thoughts, don’t let anyone with an agenda hold you hostage."
"I have indeed made up my mind," Ashley Shaw said.
With one as a stumbling block and the other a person with an agenda, both glaring at her.
Ashley Shaw suddenly felt immense pressure.
But she still answered according to her initial thought: "I don’t plan to go to UQ."
Cillian Xavier instantly furrowed his brow.
"Ashley, have you really thought this through? UQ is internationally..."
"I’ve really thought it through, and I won’t change my decision."
Ashley Shaw quickly interrupted Cillian Xavier, afraid he would mention "UQ is one of the top three medical schools internationally," which might lead Warren Prescott to guess her plan to study medicine, and thus her decision not to go to Aethelgard University.
Warren Prescott was currently burdened with guilt towards her, mistakenly believing that this guilt was affection.
Under such a mistaken understanding, she couldn’t be sure if Warren would interfere with her university choice.
Thus Ashley didn’t give Cillian Xavier any further opportunity to mention "UQ." She bowed seriously to Cillian Xavier and continued—
"Thank you for your kind intentions; I appreciate them, but I honestly don’t think it’s suitable for me. UQ is indeed excellent, but I still intend to stay in the country, not just because of Ariana, but because I myself prefer to stay. So, thank you and I’m sorry."
Ashley Shaw spoke earnestly and decisively.
Yet Warren suddenly spoke: "UQ?"
Ashley Shaw’s heart leapt to her throat.
Did he... figure it out?
Ashley Shaw was so nervous that her hands involuntarily clenched into fists.
But when she glanced up, she was surprised to find Cillian Xavier also showing a nervous expression.
She was anxious because she feared Warren might guess she didn’t want to go to Aethelgard University, but what was Cillian Xavier nervous about?
Warren walked towards them, eyes fixed on Cillian Xavier.
Cillian seemed to deliberately avoid meeting Warren’s gaze, turning his face slightly away.
Ashley became more puzzled.
What’s going on?
"UQ?" Warren repeated, the right corner of his mouth curving into a clearly mocking smile.
Cillian seemed to be evading, cleared his throat, and said, "Since Ashley isn’t going, let’s drop it; staying in the country is pretty good too," then he made to head towards the private room.
"Archie."
Warren called to stop him.
"Stay away from Rosalind Lynch, or I can’t guarantee who the Xavier Family’s next target might be."
Cillian’s footsteps faltered, then he hastened his pace to leave.
Ashley Shaw was confused, but then suddenly realized something.
UQ, Rosalind Lynch...
She quickly raised her head to ask Cillian Xavier, but he had already disappeared down the corridor.
Cillian had left so quickly, almost escaping.
Her suspicions grew stronger.
Ashley Shaw turned to Warren Prescott and bluntly asked, "What’s the connection between UQ and Rosalind Lynch? What did you mean by what you just said?"
Warren didn’t answer directly, only said, "Don’t go to UQ. You might not come back alive."
With that, he turned and left.
Ashley Shaw frowned deeply, took out her phone, and searched for UQ and Lynch Group together.
The information that popped up confirmed her suspicions.
Six months ago, the Lynch Group partnered with UQ, supplying all the electronic products the school used.
In other words, UQ was now the Lynch Group’s domain.
No wonder Warren warned that just because she went there alive didn’t guarantee she’d come back the same way.
She had wavered these last few days, seriously considering UQ, but ultimately stuck with her original decision.
If she went to UQ, Rosalind Lynch’s turf, who knows what kind of crazy things Rosalind might do to her?
Moreover, being abroad, without any roots or connections, she would stand no chance against Rosalind Lynch.
Ashley Shaw’s arms broke out in goosebumps.
But the application for UQ was handed to her by Cillian Xavier.
From what she knew of Cillian Xavier during this time, he wouldn’t harm her.
Ashley’s face looked a bit upset as she quickly walked towards the private room.
They had reserved room "888," and when Ashley entered, she saw Claire Xavier grabbing a waiter, rallying everyone to take a photo.
Since last time, when Claire had lobster at their place, she’d put up a photo wall in the store’s corner and bought a Polaroid.
The Polaroid in the waiter’s hand was the one she had bought.
Seeing Ashley enter, Claire immediately called her over.
"Ashley, you’re back just in time, come take a photo."
Ashley nodded, pretending nothing had happened, and smiled as she walked over.
During the photo, she deliberately stood next to Cillian Xavier.
The flash went off twice in the waiter’s hand, and everyone immediately relaxed their near-frozen smiles and gathered around.
"Let me see, let me see, how did it turn out..."
In the commotion, Ashley managed to meet Cillian Xavier’s eyes and asked, "What’s the deal with UQ?"
Cillian, however, avoided her eyes, lowered his head, and softly said, "I’m sorry."
Ashley had all her suspicions confirmed.
The application indeed came from Rosalind for Cillian, the two of them having reached some kind of agreement.
Cillian indeed didn’t mean to harm her, only wanting to go to UQ with her, without thinking that Rosalind wouldn’t have such kind intentions.
"I understand." Ashley nodded without any change of expression, turning to return to her seat.
Cillian suddenly grabbed her hand.
"I’m sorry, can you forgive me?"
Ashley smiled and politely said, "Honestly, I quite dislike when people use ’for your own good’ as a pretext to fulfill their own purposes."
"...I’m sorry."
"No need to apologize, I won’t blame you, especially since you’ve helped me a lot before, so I’ll act as if nothing happened. You don’t need to worry about it. I didn’t bring the application with me today; when I return to work, I’ll have Ms. Grant return it to you."