“Well, actually, ever since Robert’s matters, bunches of schoolmates have gossiped you, and as soon as this happened, they stormed the registrar’s office.”

Ashley’s heart trembled, but she forced a smile, “It’s fine. No matter how much noise they make, it won’t bother my life.”

John saw through her fake calmness, “Then why did you turn off your phone?”

Ashley said nothing.

John sighed, “Do you have any idea who did it?”

“I have a guess.” Ashley’s expression darkened.

“Who is it?”

“...It has nothing to do with school. It’s my personal matter.” Ashley didn’t plan to say more.

Determined to keep silent, Ashley didn’t answer any of John’s questions.

After more than half an hour, Ashley urged him to leave. John wanted to stay with her longer, but someone came down from the second floor.

“Who is this?” Emily scrutinized John with a critical gaze. “Ashley, how dare you? Bringing anyone into the house without the owner’s consent.”

Ashley’s face darkened, and she pulled John behind her. “Second Miss.”

Emily descended the stairs, looking down at them with disdain. Once downstairs, her contempt grew even more intense.

“Do you think this is a place for stray dogs to mark their territory? Picking up any filth and bringing it home.”

John’s face changed, and he looked at Emily with hostility.

“Hey, don’t look at me like that. If you keep glaring at me, I’ll gouge out your eyes!”

Emily grabbed a small potted plant from the handrail, and threw it at John.

Seeing a dark object flying towards him, John dodged, and with a crash, the potted plant hit a vase nearby, shattering it.

John’s temples throbbed with anger, but he held back for Ashley’s sake.

“Ashley, if there’s nothing else, I’ll leave now.”

If he stayed any longer, he feared he might hit that bitch.

Ashley looked at him apologetically, wanting to see him out.

“Hey, just wait,” Emily flicked her nails, looking at him disdainfully, “Did I say you could leave?

“Bringing in some dirty ass without the owner’s consent, and now trying to send it away in front of the owner without a word,” Emily turned to Ashley coldly, “Is this how your mother taught you manners?”

Ashley wanted to explain.

“Pop!”

Emily raised her hand and slapped Ashley, “You little bitch!”

“You!” John hurriedly pulled Ashley behind him, “What are you doing!”

Emily blew on her nails and sneered, “What am I doing? I’m disciplining my family’s maid.”

“You better treat her with some respect!” John glared at Emily, “What era do you think this is? The Qing dynasty is long gone! She’s working here, not a slave! If you hit her again, don’t blame me for hitting a woman!”

“Oh?” Emily laughed and looked meaningfully at Ashley behind him, “Do you think the same?”

Ashley’s face burned with pain, and memories of being hit before flooded back.

She didn’t want to escalate things and pulled John, “John, don’t get involved. Just leave now.”

Mrs Quinn’s words were harsh, but at least she wouldn’t act out for their “rich people’s manner”.

Emily was different.

She had been spoiled since childhood. If anyone defied her, it could become a major issue.

“I’m not leaving!” John stared at Emily, “Apologize!”

“Hmm?” Emily looked at John, amused, “Say that again?”

Before John could speak, a figure ran over from the stairs and knelt on the ground with a thud,

“Second Miss, please don’t be angry! Ashley, get him out of here, now!”

John was stunned, looking at the person on the ground.

Ashley was momentarily surprised but stiffly walked over to pull her up, “Mom, don’t do that.”

“Ashley!” Melissa’s eyes were red as she looked at Ashley, “You shut up. Just kneel for the Second Miss’s forgiveness!”

Ashley’s face turned deathly pale, unable to speak.

John realized the person was Ashley’s mother.

He hurried forward to pull her up, “Auntie, you haven’t done anything wrong, why ask for her forgiveness? Get up, you don’t need this job, you can—”

“Shut up!” Melissa pushed John away, her expression becoming sharp and vicious.

“Who do you think you are, to meddle in my family’s affairs!”

She turned to Ashley, “What are you standing there for, kneel down!”

Ashley was about to refuse, but then saw Melissa suddenly grab something, and press it to her upper right abdomen.

The silk was easily pierced, and blood began to flow from her fingers.

Ashley’s was super shocked.

John tried to pull Melissa away, but Ashley pushed him aside and knelt beside her, “Second Miss, I was wrong. Please don’t be angry.”

As soon as she spoke, Melissa’s grip loosened.

Ashley quickly grabbed the shard and threw it far away, and her entire body trembled with fear and anger.

Melissa, however, seemed relentless, reaching for another shard.

Ashley could only hold her tightly, “Enough!”

Melissa’s eyes were dark as she looked at her, “So, you know your mistakes, right? And you would never leave the Quinn Family, right?”

Ashley’s back was rigid, staring at Melissa.

When she was about to speak, Melissa turned to grab another shard.

“I was wrong, I truly was! I won’t leave the Quinn Family...” Ashley’s voice trembled as she spoke, tears falling and quickly soaking Melissa’s clothes.

Hearing this, Melissa’s lips curled slightly, as if relieved.

She looked up at Emily, “Second Miss, Ashley knows her mistake. She won’t do that again.”

Emily raised an eyebrow, satisfied.

“Emily, what’s going on downstairs?” Olivia suddenly spoke.

Emily looked up to see Olivia leaning against the second-floor railing, smiling down.

Emily beckoned her down, “Hey, Olivia, come and see a good show.”

“What good show?” Olivia carefully protected her belly and went downstairs,

“I’m bored upstairs.”

Since Brian was injured, Olivia visited frequently, ostensibly to care for her fiancé.

Ashley lowered her head further, gripping her hem tightly.

John saw Ashley’s change, “Ashley...”

Seeing the bruises on her mouth, her nearly bleeding palms, and trembling shoulders...

He didn’t know how to do.

Knowing his presence would only cause Ashley more trouble, he suppressed his anger, humiliation, and heartache, saying hoarsely, “I’m sorry for the trouble.”

He looked at Emily with red eyes, “Miss Quinn, may I leave?”

Emily laughed, pointing at the kneeling Ashley, “Just leave her here?”

John’s voice was hoarse, “May I?”

Emily glanced at Ashley and sneered, “Your pathetic friendships are ridiculous.”