Chapter: 326

At last, Miguel showed up.

He was seated in a wheelchair, appearing weary as if he had just woken from a sleep.

With a warm smile, Ashley rose to greet him. "Miguel, it's been a while. I hope I'm not interrupting?"

Miguel gave her a brief, indifferent look and gestured to his assistant.

The assistant promptly fetched a bottle of wine from the cabinet, decanted it, set it on the table, and gracefully placed two elegant glasses beside it.

Ashley remained silent, waiting for Miguel to initiate the conversation.

Revived by a sip of wine, Miguel seemed to gather more energy. "Did you come to collect the information on the suburban project?"

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she nodded eagerly. "Have you managed to find it?"

Miguel responded in a nonchalant tone, "I found it, but why would I give it to you?"

At his words, Ashley's expression stiffened, and she reiterated her previous explanation. “Miguel, I simply want to alleviate your concerns. After all, it's our mutual goal to overcome Alan."

"Really?" Miguel arched an eyebrow and gave a mocking smile. "You're also aiming to defeat him? Isn't he the one you cherish the most? How does defeating him benefit you?"

Ashley scoffed, her expression darkening instantly, "I do love him, but his heart belongs to Kaitlin. If he loses his influence, maybe then he'll realize who truly stands by him. Defeating him is preferable to being invisible to him!"

Miguel laughed outright at the harshness in Ashley's voice. “How intriguing. Ashley, you're as ruthless as ever."

Ashley's sneer returned. She was unfazed by Miguel's seemingly derogatory remark. "Miguel, we're cut from the same cloth, which means our partnership could endure."

Miguel ran his hand along the rim of the glass. Just as Ashley believed he contemplated giving the files on the suburban project to her, Miguel flung the glass aside with a sudden, fierce gesture.

The glass shattered, the sound sharply echoing in the silent living room.

Ashley flinched involuntarily, her expression turning grave.

Miguel smirked, fixing her with a cold stare that sent shivers down her spine.

“Why... Why are you so angry?" she stammered.

"Ashley, how dare you manipulate me to serve others? Do you think I've lost my influence, that you no longer need to fear me?"

Miguel's voice was a low, menacing growl that made Ashley jump.

Her dealings with Shawn had always been discreet.

How had Miguel found out?

Questions swirled in her mind, increasing her panic.