Save Myself from Desperation

Ashley’s heart fluttered as if a dandelion had been gently plucked, sending down its soft, fuzzy seeds.

She wanted to say something but momentarily at a loss for words.

Valentin took the earrings from the box, his voice low and magnetic. “Let me put them on for you?”.

Ashley glanced at him and leaned in.

The man’s fingers delicately held the beautiful earrings, gently placing them on her

After he was done, he lightly tickled her soft, fair earlobe and looked at her affectionately. “They suit you very well.”

Ashley felt a sudden warmth in her earlobes, spreading to her cheeks, and she touched her earlobe awkwardly. “Since you're better now, I'll be leaving.”

Just as she stood up, Valentin caught her wrist.

He frowned, looking frail and in pain. “It’s started to hurt again.”

Ashley blinked in disbelief. “Weren’t you just fine a moment ago?”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Valentin took her hand and placed it on his abdomen. “It hurts again. Rub it for me, please.” Ashley was speechless.

However, she didn’t listen to him this time.

Ashley poured a fresh cup of hot water for him. Seeing Valentin feigning weakness, an impulse struck her, and she said, “Here you go, little fella.”

Valentin was perplexed.

He stared intently at her for a while. Suddenly, he smirked. But it wasn’t fully a smile nor a frown, and he put the cup on the table. Ashley was about to ask why he wasn’t drinking.

In an instant, her world spun as she found herself pinned down on the bed by Valentin.

10:25 D

Clupter 68

Ashley’s heart tightened, and she widened her eyes in surprise. “What are you doing?”

The man was hovering over her, close enough to kiss her with just a slight dip of his head.

His eyes narrowed, a dangerous and flirtatious gleam within. “What did you just say? Say it again.”

Ashley felt somewhat guilty, but she decided to play innocent.

She wanted to push him away and got up.

However, the two of them were too close. Ashley inadvertently brushed her lips against his cheek as she raised her head. Valentin paused for a second, then chuckled. His chest vibrated, his laugh husky and sensual, incredibly alluring. Ashley’s face flushed instantly.

Annoyed and embarrassed, she pushed him away. “Deal with your discomfort yourself! I’m leaving!”

She said and tried to run out, her legs feeling weak.

But after just a few steps, Ashley heard his teasing, chuckling voice from behind. “Taking advantage then running away? What’s all this about?”

Ashley glared at him and snapped. “Shut up!”

That day, Ashley received a call from Laura, asking her to come to the

company.

Ashley pushed the door open at Royal Entertainment in Laura’s office. and saw Bryce was also there.

Bryce sat on the sofa in the reception area, his forehead characteristically streaked with a strand of silver hair. Dressed stylishly, his fingers adorned with several decorative rings, he lounged with one leg casually crossed over the other.

Spotting Ashley entering, Bryce looked at her, his smile ambiguous. “I’ve followed you on Twitter.” Ashley was confused upon hearing this.

10:25 1

With a tongue click, Bryce retorted, “What's with that face, Ashley? There are so many people | don’t follow despite their wishes! Taking the initiative to follow a minor celebrity like you is already breaking my norm!”

Ashley chuckled, “You can take back your norm. | don’t need it.” Frustrated. Bryce removed a ring from his finger and threw it at her. Laura was at a loss for words.

Was this a kindergarten fight or what?

Feeling helpless, Laura gave himself a facepalm and waved to Ashley. “Ashley, take a seat. Check your Twitter and follow back Bryce first.”

Ashley-sat down and took out her phone, only to find that the hashtag. “Bryce Follows Ashley” had climbed to the top of Twitter’s trending list.

The comments were quite varied.

[Wow, Bryce is following a female artist for the first time!]

[Maybe it’s because they were both on a variety show recently, and Ashley even helped Bryce calm a runaway horse.] [I can’t stop laughing when | remember Bryce sitting in Ashley’s lap!]

The discussion online was bustling.

It was evident that Bryce was incredibly popular.

Ashley found Bryce’s Twitter account and followed him back.

Upon seeing her follow back, Bryce snorted, “At least you know what’s good for you.” Ashley glanced at him leisurely. “Sorry, | did so by mistake. I'll unfollow you right now.” Bryce glared at her. “Don’t you dare!”

Being unfollowed after being followed would be a blow to his pride!

Laura, once again feeling a headache coming on, held her forehead in despair and said helplessly, “You two, stop fighting. Ashley, | called you here today for two things.

“First, I've got you a cameo in a TV show. It’s a role that involves dancing 10.25 Chapter 68

and playing the harp, which suits you perfectly. It’s not a big part. You can finish shooting in a day, tomorrow at the set.”

Ashley nodded. “Okay.”

Laura continued, “The second thing is more important. You compose music, right?” Ashley replied, “Yes.”

Laura smiled, “Bryce is releasing his personal EP next month, a

mini-album with three songs. | want you to compose one for him. The collaboration between you both can significantly boost your popularity.”

Ashley said, “No need.” Bryce échoed, “Don’t want to.” Both of them spoke in unison.

Initially lounging in the coach with one of his legs crossing the others, Bryce became visibly irritated upon hearing Ashley’s refusal. He cast an annoyed glance at her before turning to Laura. “Laura, you heard her. She doesn’t want to do it.”

Laura asked, “What about you?”

With his handsome features, Bryce smirked confidently. “My EP will definitely be a hit. | don’t mind helping someone out. But what's the use if I’m willing and she isn’t?”

Ashley raised her eyebrows wryly. “You just said you didn’t want to.”

Bryce looked at her, his smile somewhat mischievous. “I’ve changed my mind. | want to now. | want to collaborate with you. What can you do about it?”

Ashley was speechless. With a sigh of resignation, Laura felt that Bryce was willing from the start. He was just too proud to admit it.

After handling Bryce, Laura gestured for him to be quiet and turned to Ashley. “What about you, Ashley? This is a great opportunity”

Ashley was about to speak when her phone chimed twice, indicating two new messages.

10:25

It was Matthew who sent it to Ash’s account.

[Ash, my new album is releasing next month, and there’s still one song. left unfinished. Would you be willing to compose it for me?]

[Ash, it’s been a long time since we last worked together. I’m looking forward to collaborating with you again.] Matthew said, following hist message with a cheeky meme.

Ashley read the message indifferently. However, she was still frustrated by the overly sweet expression in the

meme.