The two locked eyes, and Ashley saw the deep mockery and scrutiny in his gaze.

Just as she was about to evade, Mark suddenly stepped forward and blew a puff of smoke in her face.

The thick, white smoke made Ashley cough violently, tears streaming down her face.

Mark chuckled lowly and pinched Ashley’s chin. “The real do feel different.”

His tone was filled with insinuation. As Ashley prepared to get up, he grabbed her wrist and yanked her forcefully!

Still reeling from the smoke, Ashley felt her body lighten.

Everything went black for a moment, and she fell into a scorching embrace—

The unfamiliar scent, so different from Brian’s, overwhelmed her, making her limbs stiffen in fear.

She instinctively tried to slap the man!

Mark was quick, grabbing both her wrists with one hand and pinning them to his chest.

“Are you Brian’s woman?”

Ashley’s eyes widened, and her body went rigid.

Mark’s fierce gaze bore down on her, with his rough, dry hand moving to her waist, slipping under her clothes.

His burning fingertips brushed against her delicate skin like a coarse brush.

Ashley flinched from the heat. “Mark!”

Mark’s fingers continued to climb, and Ashley kicked and struggled wildly.

“Let me go! Let go!”

Annoyed, Mark tightened his grip, and there was a cracking sound from Ashley’s wrist.

“Ah!”

Cold sweat erupted, stopping all her movements.

Her wrist was dislocated!

The intense pain made Ashley curl up, inadvertently moving closer to him.

Mark lowered his head and kissed her forehead lightly. “Be a good girl.”

Ashley trembled all over.

Mark played with Ashley’s fingers, his gaze full of regret. “Brian is still alive, huh.” He stroked her smooth hair. “What a pity.”

Ashley’s face was as white as paper. “Mark, Mr. Nelson, can I go, I—”

“Shh, don’t say silly things.” Mark’s rough fingers gently rubbed her wrist. “Work well, don’t overthink.”

As he finished speaking, there was another cracking sound from Ashley’s wrist!

“Ah—” Ashley arched her body in pain, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Her chest heaved up and down, the intense rose scent filling Mark’s breath.

Mark frowned. The interest in his eyes quickly faded, replaced by the deep and indifferent man again.

He let go, and Ashley fell to the ground at his feet.

“Go rest and wait for further notice.”

Ashley hurriedly got up from the floor and stumbled back to the changing room.

...

Ashley returned to the changing room with a pale face, and as soon as she entered, Anna hugged her.

“Ashley, what happened to you?”

“Help me, help me sit down,” Ashley said, trembling.

Anna quickly helped her to the sofa and poured a cup of hot water for her.

“What happened? Did he find troubles for you?”

Ashley didn’t want to involve Brian, so she shook her head.

“No.”

Anna’s eyes reddened slightly as she silently checked Ashley’s body.

The bruises on her fair skin, her wet clothes, and the wrinkles at the hem and leg all made it clear she had been bullied.

Anna instinctively clenched her fists and stood up suddenly. “That bastard, what did he do to you?”

Ashley grabbed her hand. “Don’t be such impulsive. It’s not what you think.”

Ashley feared his intentions more than the harassment. Even though Mark had touched her, Ashley didn’t feel any sexual desire from him.

What scared her more was his comment, “Brian is still alive.”

She recalled what Anna had told her.

Mark had killed someone in his youth and had only been released from prison a few years ago. Within a year, he had violently dominated Hua Street and was eventually taken in by the wealthy Morgan Family, who sent him to Las Vegas for three years.

To Ashley, despite Brian’s flaws, he had always been a distinguished figure of the Quinn Family. How could someone like him be involved with a wild dog like Mark?

Ashley drank two cups of hot water to regain her composure.

Anna seemed hesitant to speak but ultimately said nothing more.

After three o’clock, they left Vee and went their separate ways.

When Ashley returned to her room, she repeatedly searched for “Brian, Mark,” and “Mark murder” online, but found no useful reports.

She debated whether to ask Brian directly. After writing and deleting the message several times, she finally locked her phone and threw it aside.

Okay, just wait.

Since Mark had kept her at Vee, he must have a use for her. She decided to wait and see.

Lost in thought, she heard a commotion in the courtyard. “Someone, help!”

“Oh my God, so much blood!”

“Call the doctor, hurry!”

The chaotic noise filled the air with tension. Ashley grabbed a coat and went outside, just in time to see maids carrying a stretcher to the second floor.

The air smelled faintly of blood, and the path was dotted with blood drops.

Ashley felt a surge of panic and approached the stairs, stopping the butler. “Butler, what happened?”

The butler looked worried. “Mr had an accident.”

“Mr?” Ashley’s heart tightened. “The person just carried up was Mr?”

She instinctively looked at the blood-stained floor, the words “Brian is still alive” echoing in her mind, making her chest tighten.

Seeing her pale face, the butler gently patted her shoulder. “Go back to your room. Mr will be fine.”

Ashley wanted to ask more, but no words came out.

She didn’t even have the right to express her concern.

She stood still, watching the butler rush upstairs, and Mrs Quinn quickly walk from the East Building to the West Building.

Everyone in the house was on edge.

Ashley returned to her room and stood by the window, watching the main gate.

Half an hour later, the doctor arrived.

An hour later, the doctor left, and the Quinn Residence quieted down.

The air was filled with the strong scent of disinfectant, and the house was so silent that she could hear a pin drop.

Ashley sent a message to Brian, but it went unanswered.