Mark reached out his hand and, taking advantage of Ashley’s unawareness, suddenly lifted her blanket.

“Ah, you!”

Ashley’s back was suddenly exposed, and she shivered as goosebumps appeared on her skin.

She reached out to grab the blanket, but Mark caught her wrist. “Whoa, nice back...”

He used his other hand, touching the slightly swollen flesh around her wound.

His fingers were a bit rough, and as they brushed against her skin, Ashley felt a tickling sensation.

Ashley shuddered again.

Noticing her reaction, Mark chuckled softly. “See, the body is such a base thing; it reacts the same way, even to a stranger.”

“Mark!”

“I told you. I can help you, only if you can do me a small favor.” Mark withdrew his hand, bent down to place his face close to the edge of the bed, and locked eyes with her.

“Ashley, do you still want to refuse me?”

Ashley remained silent.

She knew that the resistance in her heart was fading.

After a long silence, Ashley shook her head. “I can’t.”

“You can’t, not that you don’t want to.” Mark’s smile grew brighter. “Good, I’m starting to look forward to this.”

“Mr. Nelson, I—”

“Come on,” Mark straightened up and placed a bank card on the pillow.

“Ashley, even if you want to refuse me, you need to stay alive first.”

Ashley’s eyelids twitched as she looked at him. “What do you mean?”

“Someone named Jack sold you in the underground scene—two million a month.”

Mark paused strangely as he spoke, watching Ashley’s face turn pale instantly before he smiled again. “They would not care whether you are alive or dead.”

Ashley clenched her fists tightly, with her mouth opening and closing several times, but she couldn’t utter a word.

Mark patted her shoulder and then left.

Ashley buried her face deeply into the pillow.

When Jane came in, she saw Ashley trembling all over, with blood stains on the edge of the blanket.

“Oh no, what happened? Ashley, Ashley? Stop moving, your wound’s getting worse. You—”

Jane hurried over to help Ashley out of bed, and when she saw her face, she froze.

“You’re crying?”

Ashley’s face was ashen as she forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

Jane wanted to ask, but in the end, she held back.

It wasn’t her place to meddle in her employer’s affairs.

After helping Ashley clean up, Ashley fell into a deep sleep.

This time, Jane didn’t dare let her guard down and kept a watchful eye on Ashley all night.

Fortunately, Ashley slept soundly.

Early the next morning, the butler came with Melissa and told Jane to go rest.

The butler entered the room, saw Ashley still asleep, and didn’t wake her.

Melissa stood at the door, her eyes swollen like walnuts, hesitating to enter.

“Come on, no matter what, you are the closest person to Ashley. You should come in and take care of her,” the butler said, placing the food container down and urging her.

Melissa’s eyes reddened again as she recalled her actions from the previous day.

The butler looked at her and sighed. “I don’t get it. Normally, you’re so protective of Ashley; how could you...”

But he stopped while speaking.

After all, Melissa could do nothing at that situation.

In the Quinn Family, Mrs Quinn’s word was law; Melissa had no room to resist.

He looked affectionately at the sleeping Ashley. “Poor Ashley.”

Melissa let out a whimper, covered her mouth, and began to cry again.

The butler frowned slightly.

He couldn’t stand how Melissa always cried as if she were the one who had suffered the most.

But clearly, it was Ashley who had truly suffered.

“Butler?” Ashley murmured, hearing the voices as she tried to prop herself up on her arms. “You’re here?”

The butler quickly responded, helping Ashley turn to her side. “Are you feeling better?”

“Much better,” Ashley weakly smiled, “Thank you for coming to see me.”

“Nah, it’s my duty.” The butler poured a bowl of soup and sat by the bed, ready to feed her with a spoon.

“Butler, Ashley, I...” Melissa quickly stepped forward when she saw the two ignoring her. “Ashley, let me help you.”

She looked at Ashley with hopeful eyes, just as she always did when Ashley was sick or injured.

Ashley looked at her and couldn’t help but recall her actions from the previous day.

“Mom, I want to leave the Quinn Family.”

Melissa’s face changed instantly. Her eyes widened. “No, you can’t!”

Her voice was sharp and abrupt, startling even the butler.

Melissa stared at Ashley intensely. “Ashley, don’t even think about it! Don’t even think about escaping from me; don’t even think about leaving me!”

In her words, Melissa had tied herself to the Quinn Family.

The butler glanced at Melissa in surprise, sensing something was wrong.

Ashley looked into her eyes. “Why? I’m just a maid. What’s wrong with wanting to resign?”

“No, I won’t allow it!” Melissa seemed like a different person, as if she were covered in sharp blades, harsh and fierce.

She gripped Ashley’s wrist tightly. “You don’t want to leave, right? You don’t want to, do you?”

Ashley stared hard at Melissa.

After a night, she calmed down, and her heart had turned completely cold.

Anyway, she could no longer bind her life to someone else.

She was determined to leave the Quinn Family, but she hadn’t yet figured out how or when.

She was merely testing her mother...

Seeing Melissa’s reaction, Ashley laughed softly. “Huh, you are right. How could I ever leave the Quinn Family? I should die in it.”

She then turned to the butler. “Butler, there’s no need to bring me food anymore, thank you.”

The butler frowned slightly.

Ashley continued, “Could you please take my mother back? I’m tired and I wanna rest.”

Melissa stubbornly held onto Ashley’s wrist, still seeking her promise. “Ashley, say it. Say you won’t leave the Quinn Family, that you won’t leave me!”

Ashley remained silent, her eyes meeting Melissa’s nearly insane gaze.

Her madness and obsession made Ashley confused.

Why?

She could not deny her mother’s love for her, but at certain moment, she always betrayed her.

Every time she was beaten, every time Mrs Quinn troubled her, Melissa would become one of those who oppressed and hurt her.

Though she usually loved her deeply and intimately.

She could not get it.