Ashley’s heart skipped a beat. “What happened?”

Melissa tried to appear strong. “It’s nothing, I’m fine.”

But the more she said that, the more worried Ashley became.

As Melissa shook her head, Ashley noticed several fresh red scratches behind her ear, swollen and extending into her collar.

It was unclear how far they went.

Standing in the rain, her shoes were muddy, her hair disheveled, and her clothes pulled out of shape.

Her hands were ice-cold, and Ashley, holding them, felt like she was holding ice.

Ashley noticed the red mark on her neck. “Did you... provoke Mrs. Quinn.?”

Had Mrs. Quinn found out?

Melissa shook her head repeatedly. “No, I didn’t do anything. I was just talking with Mrs. Quinn, and then Miss Quinn suddenly came out and hit me.”

Seeing Melissa’s innocent and aggrieved expression, countless thoughts raced through Ashley’s mind.

“Tell me what happened,” Ashley said, looking into Melissa’s eyes. “Don’t leave out a single detail.”

The two had depended on each other for years, and Melissa was used to relying on her daughter. Hearing her daughter’s question, she immediately began to explain.

After lunch, the Miss Quinn, Emily, returned from her vacation abroad and brought many gifts for Sarah.

They spent the afternoon opening gifts, but their conversation took a sudden turn.

The nail technician arrived, and Melissa led her in to serve the mistress. Before she could say a few words, she was slapped.

“It wasn’t Mrs. Quinn...it was Miss Quinn,” Melissa’s tears fell on Ashley’s hand. “Ashley , did Miss Quinn misunderstand something? Why else would she hit me out of the blue?”

Emily hit her? Ashley was unsure.

“Mom, wait here for me.” Ashley took a deep breath and walked inside.

The warm air inside made Ashley, who was chilled to the bone, shiver. The overly strong scent made her dizzy.

Her wet sneakers squelched on the carpet.

Sarah and Emily were sitting on the sofa, getting their nails done by the technician on the floor.

Seeing Ashley rush in, a maid at the door tried to stop her.

Ashley pushed past the maid and approached them.

Softening her voice, she dared not show a trace of accusation or grievance. “Mrs. Quinn., my mother is old and can’t take the cold. If there’s a misunderstanding, could you please—”

Sarah glanced at her coldly and interrupted, “Kneel down!”

Ashley froze, then gritted her teeth and knelt on the floor.

Sarah got up and walked over to her. “Can’t take the cold? She’s just a cheap life, what does she have to be sensitive about?”

As she spoke, she kicked Ashley in the chest. Ashley groaned in pain, collapsing to the floor.

“See? A bitch’s daughter is also a bitch. You’re taking it, aren’t you?” Sarah sneered.

The pain brought tears to Ashley’s eyes. Her left chest hurt, then swelled with pain, gradually turning numb. Her ribs felt like they were broken, with a dull internal pain spreading.

Ashley composed herself, and when the black spots in her vision faded, she propped herself up on her arms, suppressing the metallic taste in her mouth. “Mrs. Quinn., my mother isn’t well, could you please—”

“Shut up,” Emily walked over, looking down at her. “Do you know what your mother did to come here and shout?”

Ashley felt a surge of heat and cold, the smell of blood faintly in her nose, and her breath grew hot.

“Miss, please...”

Emily grabbed Ashley’s hair, forcing her to look up, and slapped her hard.

Ashley saw stars, and her left cheek was swollen rapidly.

Emily didn’t give her a chance to speak, raising her hand and slapping her several more times.

Ashley slumped to one side, “Please let my mother in, she—” Ashley insisted.

Seeing that she still cared about Melissa, Emily sneered and looked at the butler. “Get out.”

The butler glanced at Ashley on the ground, worried. “Miss, she seems ill. If something happens—”

“Who’s the master here, you or me?” Emily took off her diamond ring, wearing it inside out on her finger, her eyes cold. “Or do you want to hit her for me?”

The butler dared not speak further, quickly dispersing the maids and even closing the main door.

Ashley’s head felt like it was about to explode, the taste of blood filling her nose and mouth.

Before she could get up, Emily grabbed her hair again.

“You slut!”

“Pop—”

“Bitch!”

“Pop—”

“Isn’t it just a pretty face? Today I’ll tear that face apart and see how you seduce men!”

“Pop—”

Emily slapped her with each word, and Ashley’s face burnt with pain as the diamond scratched her repeatedly.

That was the hardest diamond.

When Ashley raised her hand to block, the diamond scratched her arm, her hand, and her neck.

Eventually, Emily dragged her to the sofa, pressing her head towards the sharp corner of the coffee table.

Ashley didn’t know where Emily’s anger came from. Using her last bit of strength, she protected her head with her hands, curling up tightly.

Just as she thought she might die there, footsteps sounded at the door.

“Huh, nice show?” A man’s voice chuckled as he walked in.

Emily’s hand paused, stopping her actions.

Brian stood at the door, a faint smile on his face.

Emily straightened up, calming her breath before smiling at the doorway. “Brother, you’re back.”

Brian glanced at Ashley.

She was almost lying in a pool of blood.

Her clothes were stained with blood, her long curly hair pulled out of shape, sprawled on the carpet.

Her small face was as pale as snow, like a broken doll.

Brian looked at Emily, with his dark eyes turning cold. “Did she upset you?”

Emily pouted. “Mom’s favorite vase went missing, and we traced it to Melissa. She said she accidentally broke it a few days ago. I just had her stand at the door for a while, but Ashley came in and started shouting at Mom.”

Brian smiled. “Well then, she deserves to be punished.”