When Brian came downstairs, it was just in time for lunch. As he entered the dining room, he saw Sarah sitting in front of a table, looking displeased.

He pulled out a chair and sat down. “What’s wrong?”

Sarah frowned. “Nothing but your father. He came back late last night and left again this morning without even eating.”

For the past few years, David Quinn rarely came home. When he did, it was like clocking in—sleeping in the bedroom and leaving as soon as he woke up.

Sarah was very dissatisfied with this.

Brian smirked, a hint of sarcasm in his eyes. “Huh, he’s quite busy.”

Sarah was unhappy. “Come on, he’s not a boy. Why does he still work so hard? Isn’t it enough that you’re here? He should spend more time with me.”

Brian didn’t respond.

Sarah sighed. “How are things progressing with Olivia?”

Brian made a sound of acknowledgment. “Fine.”

Sarah’s eyes lit up. “Going okay? Can I start having more in-depth talks with the James Family?”

“No need,” Brian said, taking a bite of steak. “There are many other choices.”

Sarah nodded. “Well...you got that right. The James Family isn’t high enough in status. I’ll consider other families with daughters who can match you.”

Brian responded indifferently, but there was no sign of concern in his expression.

After lunch, Brian went back upstairs.

He took a document from the safe, glanced at it, put it into an envelope, and left.

Choosing an inconspicuous Phaeton, Brian drove to the Old Town.

...

At Vee Bar.

Ashley was supposed to dance for an hour, but because she accidentally skipped a part, she finished ten minutes early.

Back in the dressing room, as soon as she opened the door, her phone started ringing incessantly.

She quickly went to open her locker.

On the other end of the call was Brian’s assistant, Daniel.

“Miss Evans, if you have time, please come to Quinn Group.”

Ashley was taken aback. “Quinn Group?”

She had been with Brian for three years but had never set foot in Quinn Group.

Daniel confirmed, “Something has come up at the company... it’s related to you. We hope you can come and address it.”

Daniel was Brian’s special assistant, known in the business world as a smiling assassin and his right-hand man.

Ashley dared not take his words lightly.

She hurriedly removed her makeup, grabbed her backpack, and rushed out.

It was just after lunch break ended when Ashley arrived at Quinn Group. The entrance was bustling with people.

On the lawn to the right of the entrance, several security guards dressed in black were surrounding and restraining someone.

The person was struggling and shouting curses, unable to break free.

Ashley’s eyelid twitched, and she took out her phone to call Daniel.

Daniel soon came down.

Dressed in an elite outfit, his cold aura matched his stern expression as he approached. “Miss Evans.”

Ashley asked, “You called me here because...”

Daniel paused. “Please follow me.”

He led Ashley towards the lawn.

As they got closer, she gradually heard the voice of the restrained person.

“Let me go! My daughter is Brian’s girlfriend!”

“Hey, look! With one word, I can get you all fired! I’m the Quinn Family’s in-law. You’ll see!”

“Damn it, he’s been sleeping with my daughter for three years and thinks he can get away without paying? Does he think I’m easy to bully?”

“If he doesn’t pay up, I’ll go public and let all of Huai City know what kind of person Brian is and what kind of family the Quinn Family is!”

Ashley’s face turned deathly pale, all pretense of composure evaporating, leaving only anger and humiliation.

Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose. “Miss Evans, your father has been causing a scene here for an hour.”

Ashley dug her nails into her fingers, overwhelmed by an unprecedented sense of shame and the urge to flee.

Daniel continued, “I won’t comment on your personal matters with the boss, but if you let your father continue causing a scene, affecting the company’s normal operations...don’t blame me for taking action.”

It was as if Ashley had been slapped and doused with a bucket of ice water.

In the scorching May afternoon, her face burned, but her heart felt as cold as the eighteenth level of hell.

Taking a deep breath, Ashley stepped forward.

The security guards, seeing Daniel approach, made way, revealing a disheveled Jack.

The image of her once tall and upright father was completely gone. The middle-aged man before her, with his dirty clothes, hunched figure, and muddled eyes, made Ashley close her eyes briefly. “What do you want?”

Jack hadn’t expected Ashley to appear and was momentarily stunned.

But recalling his purpose today, he shamelessly demanded, “I want money! If I don’t get money, I’ll lose my hand!”

Ashley looked at his left hand, missing two fingers. “I don’t have money.”

“You don’t, but Brian does.” Jack sneered. “How dare he sleep with you for free! Three years! Asking for three million isn’t too much!”

Ashley felt an unprecedented sense of mortification.

“What good does it do you to force my mother and me out of the Quinn Family? If she hadn’t stolen antiques for you, you wouldn’t even be able to pay the interest on your loans!”

Jack stood up and slapped Ashley hard. “It’s none of your business!”

Ashley’s head turned from the impact, and blood soon trickled from her mouth.

She wiped it away, looking at the blood on her fingertip, feeling an immense sense of helplessness suffocating her.

She heard her own voice say, “I advise you to behave. If there’s money, my mom will give it to you. If not, don’t come looking for me again.

If you provoke the wrong people, my mom and I can’t save you. We’ll only end up burying you.”

Ashley looked up and closed her eyes. “Daniel, if it’s convenient, please call the police.”

“You!” Jack’s pupils constricted.

Seeing Daniel actually take out his phone to dial, Jack viciously spat out, “Let’s see,” and fled.

Ashley turned around and bowed to Daniel. “If possible... please don’t tell Brian about this?”

Daniel looked troubled.

Ashley bit her lip. “At least... tell him later.”

Daniel sighed. “I’ll try.”

...

Due to Jack’s commotion, Ashley was in no mood to study that afternoon and went straight home.

The sky was almost completely dark.

When Brian drove back, the first thing he saw upon entering was a white figure.

Ashley was quietly sitting beside Melissa, arranging flowers. The two were talking about something.

Her profile was so pale it seemed to glow, but the other side of her face was hidden in shadow, making it hard to see clearly.

But Brian noticed that her mouth seemed bruised.

He didn’t remember hurting her there.

Ashley had just finished discussing the cover of an ancient song with Melissa when her phone buzzed.

She read the message.

“Come up.”

Ashley quickly turned off the screen.

Melissa looked at her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Ashley shook her head. “I need to go to my room. The class monitor sent a video for online learning.”

“Go ahead,” Melissa urged her. “I can handle this myself.”

Ashley walked through the living room to her room.

Seeing nobody outside, she went upstairs to the second floor.

As soon as she entered, Brian pulled her into his arms.