32. Let's Just Go with It

Josh looked at Ashley with mixed feelings.

He just realized that what he did had a serious impact on other people besides himself and Sharon. All this time, so far, he only thought that he and Sharon were the only ones suffering from being in a difficult situation that was very unfair. But as it turned out, all these things also triggered Ashley's guilt.

And what Ashley said was true. The complicated relationship that suddenly had to be established between the two of them did leave a big hole in Josh's heart. He was only good at covering it up by pretending to look fine when agreeing to their marriage. Then when his relationship with Sharon came to light, the uncomfortable feeling was certainly heightened by the outburst of various other types of emotions.

"No, you're not. You're not an intruder. It's better not to think that way. There's no point in feeling guilty. It's all too complicated."

Josh's mission was to make up with Ashley. So right now, he tried to encourage her in any way possible and not make things worse between the two of them.

But Ashley frowned and quickly made her point.

"Don't get me wrong. I don't feel guilty. Because I am innocent. It's the situation between us that was wrong. The situation that happened because you deliberately built it yourself. If only you had refused this marriage from the beginning, you and I wouldn't have to be trapped into a relationship that neither of us wanted.

Ashley took a breath. The wrinkles on her forehead looked even deeper.

Meanwhile, Josh returned his gaze to the untouched rice in his bowl. He felt that he should give Ashley some time and let her spill her heart out.

"You might think this marriage is very difficult for you and your girlfriend. But it was costing me too, not just you. You're putting both of us at risk."

Ashley finally fell silent. When Josh thought the girl had nothing more to say, he began to speak his words.

“If I refuse, do you think our family will just cancel it?” Josh unconsciously shook his head. "They won't. They both have a lot at stake. And I know my parents very well. They wouldn't give up the opportunity to do business with your family that easily. And you didn't refuse either," Josh lifted his face and stared at Ashley's cold glare.

Josh had speculations about Ashley that were actually quite easy to guess.

"Because you also know that your family's decision can't be overturned. Am I wrong?"

Ashley instantly snorted. The man seemed to ambush her with a blow. Making her unable to deny that what had just been said was completely true. It was absolutely impossible for Ashley to go against her parents' wishes.

"You should at least be able to tell me about your living situation. By knowing each other's circumstances, so at least, I can be prepared for any kind of problems that might occur. You're not doing this marriage alone. You shouldn't do whatever you want without taking my involvement into account."

"I know. I realize that I was wrong. That's why I apologize, and I want to make things right as much as possible."

“In what way? How are you going to fix it?” Ashley swallowed with difficulty. "I can't let you drag me into your problems. I don't want you to destroy me and my family, Josh. I don't want to."

"Actually, what we both want is the same, right? Preserving reputation. Let's say it was to save the stock of your family's company and my family's standing in society. So,” Josh sorted out his words calculatingly, ”can you work with me?"

"Yes. But I don't want to bear the consequences, because it was your scandal. You're the one who lit the fire. While I don't even have a lighter. Very funny that you think I'm willing to burn with you."

"I promise I'll try to minimize the impact it might have on you—though I really hope it never happens. If you want, I'll think of the best way."

"You don't even know how to deal with all the bad consequences that might happen? Aren't you a businessman? How could your risk management be so bad."

Josh sighed. He swallowed the sentences that had risen to the base of his tongue to hold them in and swallow them back. This time, he really made up his mind to hold back and not argue or provoke Ashley.

All he needed to do was to find an opening from the girl's negligence and take her soft side in order to compromise easily.

“Then let's keep this marriage.”

Ashley had just opened her mouth to respond, but Josh had already interrupted her by quickly continuing his statement.

"I know you want a divorce. I remember the agreement you said. But your emotions were unstable at the time, so your request probably came out without you really thinking about it well. Because divorce is not a solution, Ash. It's tantamount to provoking new problems, which will make both of our family relationships more complicated."

“That's because you're afraid that your family will lose the benefits of my family,” Ashley strikes back at his words.

Josh frowned, he was still trying to contain himself, "It's not just me who will be harmed. My father gave a lot of construction projects to your parents. I know you guys won't immediately fall into poverty if those projects are stopped. But the impact will definitely be there. And that's not something that any businessman would take lightly—not even your family, I bet."

Ashley didn't really know anything about the business world. But Josh's words made sense. Especially given the super greedy nature of her parents compared to her uncles and aunts, they definitely wouldn't let her off the hook for causing a big business to fail.

"In addition, we must also have grounds for divorce. The court will not approve a divorce that occurs without good reason. While I obviously can't reveal anything about Sharon. Remember you're the one who proposed covering up about her as long as I fulfill the agreement, right? Now that I think about it, that would be unreasonable and unworkable. A divorce surely will only make things more complicated. It would also really be like an atomic bomb explosion—destroy a lot of people and a lot of things. That's the big picture."

“It wouldn't—” Ashley, again tried to counter. But Josh felt compelled to cut her off.

"Do you know what the core impact is? Have you thought about how it will give you a status that might make things difficult for yourself?"

Josh emphasized his sentence. This time he said it not only for his own sake to prevent Ashley from imposing her will, but also influenced by a sense of a caring human being.