“Huh, how do I like it?” Ashley said that as the bus arrived. She pushed John towards the front door. “If you like her, I’ll give you my blessing. If you don’t, I’ll help you deal with the trouble.”

Her straightforward tone left John unsure of how he felt. After boarding the bus, he took a seat by the window. Ashley waved at him. “Don’t worry, I’ll always be your best friend!”

John couldn’t say anything else and waved back helplessly.

Once John was on his way, Ashley hurried back to her room for a shower. Just as she stepped out of the bathroom, the butler came looking for her.

“Mrs Quinn wants you upstairs,” he said, his face full of worry. “Miss. James is also there.”

Ashley felt a sense of unease at his expression.

...

Following the butler upstairs, Ashley caught a strong whiff of alcohol as soon as she reached the staircase.

The maids tiptoed around, avoiding any noise, and even the usually peaceful butler appeared cautious and tense.

Her unease deepened, especially seeing the butler, usually authoritative in The Quinn household, so cautious and anxious.

Ashley’s gaze involuntarily shifted to Brian’s bedroom door. The butler knocked softly.

“Come in.”

The butler entered first, with Ashley following.

The smell of alcohol was stronger inside, mingled with a faint scent of blood.

Ashley instinctively lowered her head, noting the bloodied bandages piled in the trash can.

She resisted the urge to look up, even breathing more quietly. Was Brian stabbed by someone? Mark’s words echoed in her mind.

“Mrs Quinn, Miss. James, I’ve brought Ashley up,” the butler announced respectfully.

“Okay, just leave us,” Mrs Quinn instructed curtly.

The butler exited, and Mrs Quinn addressed Ashley, “Come to the bedside.”

Ashley approached, only to hear Brian’s cold voice, “Why did you call her up here?”

Mrs Quinn slapped his hand lightly, displeased. “If she doesn’t come, do you expect me and Olivia to take care of you? You’re not a child anymore. If you keep this up, James Family might not marry their precious daughter to you!”

Brian chuckled, his voice tinged with playful charm. “Is that so?”

Olivia smiled sweetly. “Brian, you always like to tease me!”

Mrs Quinn looked at them, satisfied, while Ashley stood silently, hands clenched at her sides.

“You’re here to take care of him,” Mrs Quinn continued, addressing Ashley. “Maids are not allowed to stay on the second floor, so you’ll stay here.”

Ashley didn’t fully grasp her meaning.

But before she could respond, Olivia threw a blood-stained shirt at her. “Wash this by hand.”

Ashley caught the shirt, startled by the bloodstains.

She couldn’t help but glance at the bed, where Brian lay pale, propped up against the headboard, and his chest was wrapped in bandages.

Brian’s gaze met hers, his brow furrowed. “What are you looking at?”

Ashley quickly looked down. “I’m sorry.”

She clutched the shirt tightly, her heart pounding. What kind of trouble had Brian gotten himself into?

“Clean the bedding and make a bed on the floor beside the Mr,” Mrs Quinn ordered.

“I know,” Ashley replied, taking the shirt downstairs.

She inspected it in private, finding it torn and bloodied. It seemed whipped into shreds.

She hid the shirt in her room and went to the kitchen, where a flurry of activity surrounded the preparation of dinner. Listening to the kitchen staff, Ashley picked up bits of gossip.

“Mrs Quinn won’t let the maids upstairs. I wonder what’s so secretive.”

“Why do you care about Master’s business? Just do your work.”

“But Mr. Quinn is so injured. Who’s taking care of him if we’re not allowed up? Miss. James?”

“Probably not. I saw Miss. James taking folic acid earlier.”

“Folic acid? Isn’t that...”

“Hey, even without an officially engagement, and they might be planning a baby shower already!”

“This is so fast! They haven’t known each other long.”

Ashley quietly ate some sugar-topped tomatoes, and then, her mother, took a small plate of beef to her.

“The butler told me Mrs Quinn had you come upstairs?” Melissa asked softly.

Ashley nodded. “Miss. James might be pregnant, so she can’t take care of Mr. Quinn.”

Melissa sighed. “The butler said Mrs Quinn is worried about Mr. Quinn having enemies, and maybe there are some bribes among the maids. That’s why they’re not allowed upstairs during his recovery.”

Ashley wiped her mouth. “Huh, well then, they trust me.”

Melissa wanted to say more, but Ashley handed back the plate. “I have things to do.”

Returning to her room, Ashley took the shirt outside, setting up to wash it in full view of the second-floor windows.

Olivia had been openly hostile since they last shopped together.

BTW, washing this ruined shirt was more about humiliation than cleanliness.

She filled the basin, adding soap, and began scrubbing.

The sight of the shredded fabric made her shiver, and she couldn’t image how hurt that Brian got, and what Brian’s back must look like.

What kind of trouble had he gotten into?

Olivia arrived as Ashley was halfway done. “Huh, you worked quite hard.” she said, her tone laced with mockery. “Whoever marries you will be lucky.”

“Thanks,” Ashley replied flatly.

Olivia laughed, pulling a small red envelope from her bag and slipping it into Ashley’s pocket. “Here’s a reward.”

Ashley accepted it without reaction, stuffing it into her pocket without opening it.

Olivia looked disappointed at the lack of response and left after a few minutes.

Ashley finished washing the shirt, then hung it out to dry. The butler soon appeared, sighing as he took the shirt down and tossed it into the trash.

“Mrs Quinn said the shirt is bad luck.”

Not the shirt, but the person.

Ashley understood the intended humiliation from both Olivia and Mrs Quinn.

The butler seemed to want to comfort her, but Ashley smiled first. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go pack my things.”

Returning to her room, Ashley started preparing to stay on the second floor, ready to face whatever lay ahead.