CHAPTER 456: CHAPTER 456: BETTER NOT TO MEET

Ashley Shaw had just led her classmates to collect their military training uniforms, and everyone was trying them on.

It turned out that everyone’s uniform fit well except Ashley’s, which was ridiculously long.

Jocelyn Hayes pinched Ashley’s pant leg and lifted it up, feeling like she was drawing water from a well.

"Did you fill in your height incorrectly? How can it be this long? This should be worn by someone like Leo Bell who is six feet two!"

Ashley thought for a moment and said, "I don’t think I filled it in wrong..."

Jocelyn firmly said, "You definitely filled it in wrong! We’re about the same height, just that you’re about four pounds lighter than me. My uniform fits just right."

Lynn Redding asked the practical question, "So what do we do now?"

Ashley said, "The teacher asked me to collect information about uniforms that don’t fit and it should be possible to exchange them. I’ll go ask the teacher."

"Hurry up then, the military training starts at seven tonight."

Lynn corrected Jocelyn, saying, "It’s not the training that starts at seven, but we’re supposed to meet the instructor at seven and gather, then we’ll return. It’s probably okay not to wear it tonight, but better to ask quickly."

Ashley nodded and dialed Wilson Wallace’s number.

When Wilson answered, he said, "Hurry to the place where you collected the uniforms. There are some that are too short and need exchanging too. You might find the right size if you’re quick, but if you’re late, you’ll have to wait for the second batch, which won’t arrive until tomorrow."

Ashley had stood out conspicuously many times before, and she wasn’t keen to be the center of attention during military training too, so she quickly ran to exchange the uniform.

However, the only uniforms left were all broad and big, those oversized ones.

Actually, Ashley’s uniform wasn’t that broad, just that the pant legs were too long.

The teacher responsible for the uniforms said, "I’ll register your details first, and for tonight’s gathering, you should wear your own clothes. Come tomorrow after 8 a.m. to pick up the new one."

Ashley hurriedly registered and thanked the teacher before coming out.

Just then, she received a text message from Brooke Xavier.

With a sudden idea, since she was going out anyway, she decided to find a tailor to have a portion of the pant legs cut off so she wouldn’t stand out during the evening.

This was a good idea, and Ashley packed the uniform in a bag, informed Jocelyn, and with Ariana Grant, they took a taxi out.

Ariana was a little excited.

"It’s been a while since I last saw Ms. Grant. I wonder how her cake shop is doing now. I really want to eat their cakes."

Ashley bluntly shot down her hopes, "Cakes are high in sugar and have high glycemic index. Even if Ms. Grant brings some, you should eat less. Don’t let all your dieting efforts go to waste."

Ariana’s face visibly dropped.

"You have no idea, I feel so hungry every day. While you guys eat in the cafeteria, I can only order a salad... The most indulgent meal I’ve had was a bowl of beef noodles last night."

Ashley laughed and comforted her, "But see, although it’s tough, your efforts are paying off, aren’t they? Look at you, buying new clothes these days because the old ones are too big."

Talking about this, Ariana perked up.

"That’s true! Maybe because I started with a higher weight, I’m losing it faster than others."

"It’s not that you lose it faster than others, it’s that you have determination. Previously, you never made up your mind. This time you did, and you’ve really lost weight now."

Ariana touched her face, "I do feel a bit prettier. I almost got charmed by my own reflection in the mirror this morning."

"Hahaha... I am the same. I have to prepare myself mentally before looking in the mirror every day, or else I’d be blown away by my own beauty."

"Hehe, this is what beautiful people have in common."

"Exactly."

Ashley felt at ease since Warren Prescott had been found, light-hearted and cheerful, and the two chatted and laughed all the way until the car stopped in front of Concordia Hospital.

After paying and getting out of the car, Ashley gave Ariana the room number.

"Ariana, you go up first and meet Ms. Grant. I found a tailor shop nearby, I’ll take my uniform for alterations, and then meet up with you guys."

Ashley’s arrangement was two-pronged: she didn’t want to show up in front of Ivy Bond, nor did she want to run into Cillian Xavier.

Given Cillian now had a ’girlfriend,’ whether sincere or not, it wasn’t appropriate for her to get close to him again.

Not to mention, even speaking a few words could stir up trouble for those who might misunderstand.

So better not see him at all.

Of course, she really needed to alter the pant legs too.

Ariana, without much depth in thought, responded positively and headed towards the inpatient department.

The two parted ways at the hospital entrance, not noticing a business car leaving the hospital.

Inside the car were Lars Prescott and Mr. Rowan.

Lars was looking down at a financial report and didn’t notice, but Mr. Rowan saw Ashley Shaw.

However, the car was moving fast, and he didn’t see clearly, so he wasn’t one hundred percent sure.

But seeing Ashley reminded him of something.

"Chairman, the doctor in Senvira previously suggested seeing familiar people. Should we have Miss Shaw visit him?"

Lars paused for a moment, then swallowed what he was about to say.

Finally, he said, "Let’s hold off for a couple of days and see if the medication from Concordia works. If even Concordia can’t help, then we might have to try personal intervention."

"Yes," Mr. Rowan agreed outwardly, but was puzzled inside.

Before, in Senvira, the chairman had confided in him, saying he wouldn’t interfere with whoever Warren decided to like as his own happiness was more important.

But it seemed that returning to Veridia had changed that perspective.

Nonetheless, having followed Lars from a young age, even younger than Assistant Lowell, Mr. Rowan knew what Lars had in mind.

When Warren survived those ordeals, as a father, he wanted what was best for his child.

He would agree to anything for his child’s well-being.

But now that things were stable, Lars no longer felt as anxious and began to think that if Warren could simply forget about Ashley Shaw, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Indeed, Lars thought the same.

No matter how great Ashley was, her family background was a major disqualifier for him.

On this point alone, he would never agree.

In other words, even if the bride was missing on the eve of Warren’s wedding, he wouldn’t let Ashley fill in.

So, when it came to Ashley, he remained tight-lipped.

Meanwhile, Ashley hadn’t noticed Lars’s car either.

Besides, being in Aethelgard, Lars drove an Aethelgard license plate car, which she didn’t recognize or pay attention to.

The tailor shop was nearby, and upon hearing that she was a student needing the uniform urgently for evening training, the shop owner’s wife cheerfully said, "Sure, I’ll rush it for you. Come pick it up in an hour."

Ashley thanked her quickly, "Thank you, Auntie."

"Oh, no need to thank me. You students’ matters are more urgent. My daughter is also a freshman this year. She asked me to make her uniform smaller this morning, but I didn’t. Loose and baggy, she can wear it for dirty work at home after graduation."