Ashton’s eyes darkened slightly as he walked over. His gaze fell on the bloodstain that I was trying to cover.
I had originally thought that he would move my hands away to take a look, but he did not. He simply stroked my hair and looked at me tenderly. “Go take a bath.”
I nodded and wrapped myself in a towel before getting out of bed. After a quick shower, I was still worried about Summer, so I put on the clothes that I had washed and dried last night.
Ashton was in a fresh set of clothes when I exited the bathroom. It was not what he wore yesterday, meaning that someone had brought him some new clothes.
Noticing my presence, he handed me the brown bag that was beside him. “There’re new clothes in here!”
I shook my head. “It’s fine. I’ve already changed.” I did not want to bother changing into another set of clothes.
Picking up my phone, I then gave Jared a call. It did not take long before he picked up.
“Scarlett!” He sounded like he had not slept last night as well.
I composed myself before I said, “Let’s meet at Victoria Hotel’s lobby in half an hour.”
“Okay.”
Ashton was studying me with a meaningful look in his eyes when I hung up. Since he remained silent, I asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Let’s go to the hospital later,” said Ashton as he tucked my hair behind my ear.
I was taken aback but replied almost automatically, “No. We have to find Summer first.”
He frowned. “Scarlett…”
“I said, we have to find Summer first.” As I turned to exit the room, he grabbed my wrist and stopped me.
He frowned, mostly in helplessness. “I’ll go find Summer. You’ll go to the hospital, okay?”
Looking at him, I was suddenly angered. I broke free of his grasp and before I even knew what I was doing. “You’ll find her? You weren’t the one who raised her, nor have you invested any effort and love into her. Do you think you can pacify me just by saying that you’d find her? Ashton, does it look like I can go to the hospital with peace of mind right now? Or maybe since Summer’s not your daughter anyway, so it doesn’t matter if she’s lost?”
Those words were said in anger and on impulse.
I regretted them the moment they came out of my mouth.
Ashton’s gaze darkened and his expression grew cold. He looked me in the eye and said coldly, “Do you really see me as such a cold-blooded person?”
I kept silent, knowing that my words had hurt him. However, I was stubborn. Although I knew I was in the wrong, I did not want to apologize.
I simply lowered my eyes and bit my lip. After a while, I said, “I should go now.”
Such an avoidant answer would inevitably irritate him.
Indeed, before I could take a step, he grabbed my hand and spoke in a cold, low voice. “Scarlett, am I still not comparable to everyone else around you?”
He is angry.
I could have communicated properly with him in a proper way. However, it was as if a demon had possessed me at that moment. “Yeah. Everyone else is more important than you. I can’t give up on any of them, Summer, my family, and even the Moore family. But you, I can give you up anytime. Mr. Fuller, please let me go. I need to go search for my loved one.”
Looking at his eyes dimming with sorrow, I was dumbfounded for a moment before I eventually broke free of his grip.
Without looking back, I turned and went straight out of the hotel room.
It was not until I entered the elevator that I let go of the tension in my body, wanting to slap myself for speaking without thinking.
How could I have said that without thinking? He must have been very hurt! But what’s done is done. I can’t take it back.
Trying my best to take my mind off this matter, I headed to the café next door and sat by the window. Jared would definitely be able to spot me here.
Jared came in accompanied by Ashton. The two had clearly spoken on the phone before this.
Looking at the two outstanding men, I smiled lightly but tried my best to keep on a neutral expression. “Mr. Crest, can I talk to you privately?”
Jared glanced at Ashton almost subconsciously, then his gaze fell on me. Ashton then pressed his lips together, walked over to another table, and took a seat.
Jared then sat across from me as the waiter came forward to take his order. He looked at the Americano in front of me and paused for a while before ordering his own coffee as well as some dessert.
After a moment of silence, Jared looked at me and said, “I’m sorry about what happened to Summer.”
I stared at my dark-colored coffee and stirred it lightly for a while. After a long time, I looked at him with resolution. “I don’t accept it.”
I did not accept his apology.
He nodded, opening his mouth slightly, but did not speak.
“I don’t care what you do or whatever connection you make use of. You have to find my daughter. Otherwise, if anything happens to Summer, I won’t let you and the Crest family off for the rest of your lives.”
He looked at me and frowned. “Scarlett, I’m just as anxious about this as you are.”
I sneered. “So what? She’s been with me for four years. I’ve been with her and caring for her all the time since I was always worried that something bad might happen to her. She’s only been with you for less than half a month, but you dare to tell me that she got lost? Jared, do you think you’ve qualified? Are you even qualified to be her father?”
