Dump My Ex, Dive into Love with His Billionaire Uncle-Chapter 161: Someone Behind the Scenes Stopped Her Departure

Chapter 161: Chapter 161: Someone Behind the Scenes Stopped Her Departure

Ashton Marshall answered the phone while walking towards a certain direction ahead.

"Speak," he said tersely to the person on the other end.

"Uncle, it’s my birthday next week, and I want to host a party." Oliver Hughes’ voice was cautious on the phone: "After all, I’m about to graduate and start working at the Hughes Clan. I want to use this opportunity to connect with people in the circle."

"Okay, I’ll be there," Ashton Marshall replied directly.

Oliver Hughes on the other end was waiting for Ashton’s confirmation.

As long as Ashton was present at the party, the elites of Peace City would naturally not be absent: "Thank you, Uncle. I’ll make proper preparations."

The call ended, and Ashton took a step forward, blocking Joy Thompson’s path.

Joy instinctively stepped back upon seeing Ashton Marshall, her eyes filled with fear.

"What do you want?" Ashton looked down at her.

Joy continuously retreated, fearing the same gaze Ashton had in Wood County, one that regarded her as if she were trash.

Joy couldn’t quite articulate why she was so afraid of this man. She warned herself not to speak carelessly in front of Oliver Hughes, and as a result, she didn’t dare to speak up.

After returning home, despite all methods, she couldn’t find out Ashton’s true identity.

"Answer," Ashton demanded impatiently.

Terrified, Joy’s shoulders trembled as she quickly said, "I just wanted to go over there and sit for a while..."

"In the future, wherever Bella Woods is, stay away," Ashton instructed, not interest in letting Joy finish her sentence.

Joy was deeply afraid of Ashton, yet she was also unwilling: "Why? The school is so big, I just want to go there. Just because Bella Woods is there, does that mean I’m unworthy?"

"Yes."

Ashton’s response choked Joy up.

He didn’t plan to waste words with Joy: "I don’t want any commotion at her school. If you want the Thompson Family to continue surviving in Peace City, remember what I said."

Having said this, Ashton turned and walked towards Bella Woods.

Joy stood in place, clearly unwilling yet could only stamp her feet in frustration!

"I will, I’m sure of it—I will make Bella Woods pay! Why should someone discarded by the Hughes Family have such a good life? She should be more wretched, more miserable than me!"

Joy silently clenched her fists, her eyes filled with overwhelming jealousy and hatred.

At this moment, Bella Woods had even forgotten about Joy.

While Ashton was on the phone, Bella received a notice from the school principal to come over to discuss her application as an exchange student to Country A.

For some reason, from the moment she received the principal’s call, Bella felt a bad premonition, very uneasy.

"Not painting anymore?" Ashton returned and reached out to stroke Bella’s head.

Bella looked up at Ashton, thinking about how after he went to take the call, the principal contacted her to come over.

"Hmm?" Ashton noticed Bella was silent and looked at her curiously.

"The principal asked me to visit the office," Bella collected her things as she replied.

Ashton crouched beside her, helping her pack up, then took her drawing board and backpack.

Bella walked towards the principal’s office, her hands empty, while Ashton walked by her side.

The two didn’t have much to say. He didn’t inquire further about why she was going to the principal’s office, nor did she have any intention to explain.

Until they reached the building under the principal’s office, Bella said, "I can go up alone. Can you wait here for a moment?"

Ashton nodded.

Bella didn’t say much and ran up the stairs.

When she knocked on the principal’s office door, Bella felt quite tense, with that bad premonition growing stronger.

"Principal, did you call for me?" Bella stood in front of the principal’s desk, hands clenched on her thighs, silently tightening her fists.

The principal didn’t say anything immediately but looked at Bella with a thoughtful gaze.

That thoughtful gaze, coupled with the principal’s prolonged silence, made Bella’s already tense nerves even more anxious.

After about three or four minutes, the principal sighed: "You applied to be an exchange student to Country A, self-funded, and using art major’s professional work as the evaluation criterion."

"Yes," Bella replied.

"Judging by your work, it’s a stringent condition. Are you so confident in your art?" the principal asked.

Bella answered frankly, "If it were a regular application, the process would take at least half a year, and most would be rejected. But as long as the work in Country A meets the professional standards, it can pass."

And within a month, all procedures could be completed.

So, for Bella, Country A was the best choice.

"You seem very eager to leave?" the principal asked.

"Principal, is there a problem with my application for exchange student this time?" Bella was somewhat impatient and couldn’t hold back her temper.

The principal’s expression was more serious than before. "There is a problem."

"What is it?"

"The problem is your application has been denied. They said since you just entered university, neither your age nor other aspects are suitable for going to Country A."

"I don’t think I don’t qualify, especially since I’m not the only freshman applying for exchange to Country A with an art major."

Bella had previously conducted extensive research, reviewing all exchange student cases at the school over the past five years, before making her application as an art student to Country A.

"I just received this conclusion," the principal said, "As to why there’s such a decision, you might have clearer understanding and should know this is related to the previously halted project."

These words subtly reminded Bella that someone was preventing her from going abroad.

Both with the school’s arranged exchange student project previously and now with her self-funded application, it was the same.

No matter which method she used to apply, it would be blocked.

"I feel that instead of pursuing these applications, you should sort out your life," the principal kindly advised Bella.

Bella, whose gaze had been downward, smiled as she heard the principal’s words: "I know what to do. Thank you, Principal."

"I’ve reviewed all your grades and professional works. Frankly, it would be a pride for the school if you stayed. Letting a talent like you leave is a regret for us. I don’t know why you’re set on leaving, but compared to Country A or any other place, our city and school have support programs where your professional development would be better if you stayed."

The principal’s words clearly expressed his admiration and regret for Bella.

"Thank you, Principal," Bella didn’t know quite how to respond.

She was seldom praised, and other than expressing gratitude, she didn’t know how to respond.

After thanking, Bella left the principal’s office.

Standing in the corridor, she saw Ashton waiting for her downstairs, her mind full of the principal’s subtle hints...

Someone was preventing her from leaving the country.

No matter what method she used to apply, it would be rejected.