Chapter: 196

After soothing her, Alan prepared for his meeting.

Ashley stayed put, spending the afternoon in his office.

When Alan returned from the meeting, he found her asleep on the sofa, curled up in a ball, appearing small and vulnerable.

He exited the office silently, ordering his men to dig into the background of Ashley's ex-husband.

The information was sparse. Her ex-husband had become a ghost, barely leaving traces behind.

Alan took one last look at Ashley sleeping in his office before leaving the company and heading home.

Upon arriving, he was met with the news that Kaitlin had moved out.

Before Alan could dial Kaitlin's number, his phone lit up with a call from Ashley.

She cried out the moment he answered. "Alan, he's after me again."

“Where are you? And what about the security detail I arranged for you?" Alan's voice was tight with concern. He had made sure she was never left unguarded.

“I... I went back home. I don't know how he found me!" Between her words, Ashley's breath hitched with sobs, and then a loud thud resonated through the phone.

“Ashley?” Alan called out, anxiety creasing his forehead.

But there was no response. The line had gone dead. With a sense of dread settling in, Alan had no choice but to rush over to her place.

Upon arriving, he discovered Ashley huddled in a corner, her face marked by a fresh, red slap mark.

"Alan... please, you have to save me," she pleaded, her eyes wide with fear.

Standing over her was a man with a belt in hand, his expression threatening.

“Who's this interfering?" he sneered, eyeing Alan. “So you're Alan Hewitt? Ashley's old lover?"

Ashley quickly retorted, “Alan and I are just friends. Don't stir up nonsense!"

"Oh, seems like you really care about him, don't you?" the man taunted, his voice dripping with malice.

He snapped the belt with a threatening crack, aiming it at Ashley.

"Stop!" Alan lunged forward, seizing the man's wrist. “How dare you barge into someone's home in broad daylight?"

Then he turned to address Ashley. "Call the police."

The man sneered as he wrenched his wrist free. "Just go ahead and call the police. She wouldn't dare to sue me."

As he spoke, he remained a composed demeanor.