[Flashback]
"Just why won't you let me go?!" Ashley screamed hysterically in Lucian's office, standing before him. She ground her teeth, grabbing his chest as she glared at him. "Why? Just what the hell is wrong with you?!"
Lucian held her arm tightly, his complexion paler than usual. Yet the cold look in his expression remained.
Tears brimmed in her eyes until the corners reddened, her chest heaving heavily as her emotions reached an all-time high.
"Lucian… why?" she breathed out, a stark contrast to her earlier yelling. Her desperation was clear. "Why? Do you really need something from the Di Carpios? Hah. Tell me. I'll get it for you—"
She paused, then shouted once more, "I'll even kill all of them for you if that's the only way you'll let me go! Tell me! What the fuck do you want?!"
Ashley shook him, screaming until her throat felt raw. Yet he simply stood there, holding her arm to stop her. She screamed and screamed until that anger turned into sobs.
