Dump My Ex, Dive into Love with His Billionaire Uncle-Chapter 160: For Him, a Million Times Moved

Ashton Marshall placed one hand in his suit pocket, slowing his steps as he approached Bella Woods, simply watching her quietly.

She was especially immersed at this moment, observing the scene with seriousness in her eyes, as if she had an invisible barrier around her, isolating herself from everything around and fully diving into her creative world.

This was the first time Ashton Marshall had seen Bella Woods work professionally.

It was also the first time he’d seen her pick up a paintbrush since they had known each other.

Her earnest and focused look made Ashton Marshall reluctant to disturb her.

He crouched down and used his phone to capture the moment, filling the screen with photos of Bella Woods from various angles, nearly identical shots occupying his album.

Yet Ashton wasn’t tired of it, snapping one picture after another, satisfied with each one.

Just as he wasn’t done taking photos, someone suddenly walked up to Bella Woods: "Hey, can I borrow your paint?"

Due to the outsider’s interruption, Bella emerged from her own world, smiling gently: "What color do you need?"

"White."

The moment the other person spoke, the gentle smile on Bella’s face disappeared.

From laughing to not laughing in an instant.

"Sorry, I’m running low on white." Bella refused without hesitation.

Borrowing white paint from an art student isn’t just borrowing paint; it’s borrowing life.

"Come on, just a bit, I promise." The person pleaded with hands clasped.

Bella hurriedly guarded her white paint.

"What’s the matter?" Ashton Marshall walked over and crouched next to Bella Woods.

The student who wanted to borrow paint from Bella lit up at the sight of Ashton Marshall, eyes moving up and down like a radar, appraising him.

"Sis, I won’t lend you the white paint," she said, pointing at Ashton Marshall, "I’ll lend it to this gentleman..."

"No outside lending," Bella quickly put the white paint down and clutched Ashton’s arm.

"Thanks, senior. I’ll return it to you later." The person grabbed Bella’s white paint and dashed away.

Halfway through, they looked back at Ashton’s face with regret but seeing his warning gaze, suddenly felt it wasn’t a loss and quickly ran off.

Bella looked at the empty space in the large paint box where the white used to be, angrily hitting Ashton: "It’s all your fault, my white paint is gone."

"I got it for you," Ashton took a tube of white paint out of his pocket.

"You?" Bella was quite surprised.

Ashton explained, "When I was tidying up your things, I noticed your white paint was almost out. I thought you should have enough for today, and when I picked you up tonight, I would give it back."

He patted Bella’s head, took an empty small compartment, squeezed in the white paint, and placed it properly.

Bella watched silently.

Since childhood, she’d never been cared for like this, let alone with such detailed attention.

He prepared what she needed without her saying a word.

Even things she didn’t notice, he had already sorted out for her.

This feeling of being well taken care of always stirred countless longings in Bella’s heart.

She didn’t want to leave.

She wanted to stay by his side. freēnovelkiss.com

Wanted to be cared for like this all the time.

"Homework?" Ashton Marshall naturally sat beside Bella.

Bella collected her emotions, thought for a moment, and wanted to pack up, but Ashton held her wrist: "Keep painting."

"Are you just going to sit there?" Bella expressed her concern.

Mainly because sitting like this on the ground didn’t match Ashton’s status.

Plus, he was waiting for her to paint.

She felt pressured, thinking it wasn’t right.

"You think you’re not worth waiting for?" Ashton raised an eyebrow at Bella.

One sentence pierced Bella’s apprehension.

"No, no..." She quickly shifted her gaze, a bit afraid to admit her feelings of inadequacy.

Ashton smiled, looking ahead: "I’m an adult, if you ask and I’m willing, I’ll agree. If you don’t ask and I want to sit, then I just want to sit. Worthy or not is nonsense.

Just remember one thing."

Hearing this, Ashton seriously reminded her: "Bella, look at me."

Bella almost instinctively complied and looked at Ashton.

He said: "In your world, you are the most precious. If I want to enter your world, then any price I pay is worth it. Just accept it."

The man’s gaze was earnest and profound, staring straight at her, leaving Bella speechless.

All she could hear was the frantic beating of her heart.

Meanwhile.

The classmate who ’borrowed’ Bella’s white paint had already turned their canvas from the lake scenery to Bella Woods and Ashton Marshall.

Especially capturing the look in Ashton’s eyes when gazing at Bella, and the way Bella looked at him, the scene was so beautiful it felt almost wrong to interrupt.

She quickly grabbed a paintbrush to sketch the scene.

"Just the right piece for this collaboration with the Marshall Clan Group’s exhibition," she mused proudly.

Ashton fondly touched Bella’s head: "What piece is this?"

"Just... a submission piece," Bella found an excuse, shifting her eyes away from Ashton.

She adjusted her emotions, planning to get back to her creation.

Mainly, she didn’t dare continue talking with Ashton, fearing the truth would slip out because this piece was for her application to become an exchange student in country A.

Since the previous exchange program was put on hold due to Cyan Marshall’s withdrawal of investment, Bella could only apply through self-funding.

Country A values art students highly, almost eager for talent, so they have a policy where domestic applicants for exchange can have priority if they submit art.

Naturally, the pieces must meet the stringent criteria of country A’s exchange review board.

Self-funding requires the submission to be particularly impressive to secure a spot.

Hence, this creation was extremely significant to Bella.

And she didn’t dare tell Ashton.

They had fought over this matter before, and even amidst countless moments of wanting to stay, Bella consciously chose a path forward, refusing to stall or look back.

She had already neglected herself plenty due to emotions.

She couldn’t forsake her future for love.

Bella gripped her pen more resolutely, focusing entirely on her painting.

Ashton watched silently, pride evident in his eyes.

A woman absorbed in her work is indeed captivating, quite heart-stirring.

Just then, the vibration from Ashton’s phone in his pocket broke his state of admiration for Bella’s dedication, rendering him a bit impatient, originally intending to ignore it.

But as his gaze swept in a direction, Ashton gripped the phone tightly, stood up, and walked off towards that side.