Save Myself from Desperation

However, with the evidence laid out and the police involvement due to a severe accusation of defamation, Frankie was eventually taken away.

Bertha, witnessing the situation, fainted on the spot.

Charlie and Ryan rushed home upon hearing the news.

Chaos erupted in the entire Ramos family.

The extensive press conference was simultaneously a livestream on the

Internet.

Netizens who had condemned Ashley were left dumbfounded after learning the truth. They couldn’t believe Frankie and Bertha collaborated to slander Ashley.

Frankie and Bertha were undoubtedly unqualified as Ashley’s mother and elder brother.

Meanwhile, after enduring harm from her family, Ashley now faced condemnation from netizens who believed whatever they heard.

Those netizens’ misguided sense of justice was, in reality, a second blow. to Ashley! Some netizens acknowledged their error and began apologizing to Ashley. Some deleted their tweets criticizing Ashley, feigned ignorance of the situation, and continued to attack the next target.

Hashtags like “Ashley, Ash, you are still my idol”, “Misdeeds of the Ramos family” and “The Ramos family owes Ashley an apology” swiftly.

ascended the trending charts.

Following this incident, the true nature of the Ramos family was laid. bare before the public. Even the image of the Ramos Group suffered damage, turning negative.

The press conference concluded.

Ashley, Joseph, and Laura exited the venue, spotting Bryce and Miranda

09:16

wearing masks in the crowd.

Seeing Ashley, Miranda was jubilant and ran over. “Ashley, I’m so glad for you! The truth has finally come to light, and you’ve been cleared!”

From yesterday until now, witnessing the online condemnation and attacks against Ashley, Miranda had felt restless and didn’t know how to assist. Anxiety even caused her to fall ill.

Moved, Ashley smiled, “I didn’t expect you to come to the press conference.” Miranda explained, “I couldn’t wait at home any longer, so | came to the venue. Oh, | encountered Bryce at the entrance.”

Bryce, wearing a black mask, approached with hands in pockets, his tall figure and silver hair standing out. “Impressive, Ashley. Crisis averted.”

Before Ashley could respond, Joseph stepped forward on high alert, warning Bryce, “Stay away from Ashley.” Bryce frowned in confusion. Ashley looked at Joseph, her eyes filled with puzzles. “What are you doing?”

Full of crisis awareness, Joseph was angry and explained urgently, “You're not aware yet. There’s speculation online about a romantic relationship between you and Bryce! You rescued him in horse racing and composed. songs for him in the name of Ash. Fans are going crazy!”

He thought, ‘Why are netizens making a wild guess? Ashley belongs to Valentin! Ashley was incredulous. She thought, “Why do netizens consider Bryce and me as a couple? What a ridiculous notion!”

Ashley’s rejection was evident on her face. “I composed songs for Bryce, but not for free. | received payment. It’s a straightforward business

transaction.” Seeing Ashley reject the rumor vehemently, Bryce squinted and looked at her meaningfully.

He smirked, arrogantly declaring, “I'll post on Twitter now, saying that Ashley and | don’t get along. We'll fight whenever we meet. No one is

allowed to guess our relationship!”

Hearing his words, Laura immediately intervened. “Don’t mess around. No celebrity will post such things on Twitter!” Bryce smiled provocatively, “Since no one did before, I'll be the first!”

Laura sighed, “Don’t make a scene!”

Given Bryce’s rebellious personality, Laura believed that if she didn’t stop him, he might really go through with it.

As his manager, she would be the one dealing with the aftermath later.

Glancing at the time, Laura changed the subject. “It’s getting late. Bryce and Miranda, you're both here out of concern for Ashley. Since the matter is over now, let’s have a meal together.”

Always generous, Joseph said, “Let’s go. | will treat!” After lunch, Joseph drove Ashley back to the Kingsley Villa. He also got out of the car and shouted before reaching the living room, “Valentin, I’ve safely brought Ashley back!”

Beside him, Ashley was shocked by his shout. She raised her hand and rubbed her car. “Don’t shout. What do you mean by safely bringing met back?”

Joseph raised an eyebrow, smiling playfully, “I attended today’s press. conference not only because I’m the boss of Royal Entertainment. Valentin repeatedly instructed in advance that my main task was not to attend the press conference but to take care of you at all times!”

Puzzled, Ashley blinked her eyes. She wondered why Valentin specially assigned Joseph such a task.

Joseph approached with a smirk, seizing the opportunity to speak well of Valentin. “Ashley, have you noticed that Valentin is always protecting you?”

Ashley’s heart skipped a beat. She entered the living room, her eyelashes. trembling.

Valentin descended the stairs, exuding an indescribable elegance in at crisp white shirt and black trousers. 09 16

Ashley’s attention was immediately drawn to the sizable box in his hands. Intrigued, she asked, “What are you holding? It’s quite large.”

Valentin soon approached her and presented the box. “Open it.”

In that fleeting moment, Ashley felt a rush of joy. Her eyes lit up, and she blinked as she asked, “Another gift for me?”

Joseph followed closely behind and marveled at the substantial size of the gift box. “Wow, what a gift! Valentin, how come you never get me anything?”

Valentin cast a subtle glance at him.

Joseph instantly grasped the situation.

He thought, ‘Alright, | don’t deserve it. Well, Valentin is as consistent as ever in favoring his wife over me!’

Ashley had already unveiled the gift box, revealing an irresistibly cute, fluffy toy fox inside. Her eyes sparkled.

She reached out and squeezed it. ‘So soft. | like its texture!’ Ashley thought.

Ashley looked up at the man in front of her with bright eyes, surprised. and delighted. “Why did you suddenly give me such a cute toy?”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Valentin reached out to tousle her hair, smiling gently, “Do you like it?”

Ashley nodded delightedly. “I love it! It’s so cute!”

She had been fond of cute plush toys since childhood.

Although she had restrained herself a bit as she grew older, she still liked them very much. Ashley raised her hand and pinched the fox’s ear, discovering that this toy fox was a limited edition. Seeing her so fond of the gift, Valentin couldn't hide the gentleness in his

eyes.

grandmother had once given her a doll, which was broken.

leoriginally wanted to find an identical one to give to Ashley,

making up for her loss.

However, he realized that even if it were identical, it would never be the

09-10

One given by her grandmother. It would only add to her sadness.

So, he gave Ashley a plush toy that she liked.

The doll given to Ashley by her grandmother couldn't accompany her in the future.

As areplacement, Valentin wanted this toy fox to continue to accompany

her.