bChapter /bb195 /b

    Even the battle–hardened Connor felt a chill run down his spine as the agonized screams echoed from behind the door. ‘Damn! Miss Jennings is savage!‘ he thought.

    Curiosity getting the better of him, he leaned in and whispered to Ashton, “Is Miss Jennings just a delicate, innocent girl for sure?”

    Brandon, standing nearby, wore a simrlyplicated expression. He had sneaked a peek inside earlier, and despite Briar’s gentle appearance, she seemed familiar with those instruments hanging on the wall–no less than any of themi. /i

    Ashton leaned against the wall, an unlit cigarette pinched between his fingers. Ever since the screams started, he hadn’t looked inside even once. It wasn’t out of fear–he simply trusted that Briar wouldn’t lose control and

    stabbed Zayne to death on a whim.

    Anyone with ears could tell how brutal and bloody things had be. Ashton’s expression remained calm, his gaze steady and unmoved. But beneath thatposed exterior, only he knew how restless his heart truly was.

    ‘Is the Briar I once knew–the one who was kind andpassionate–the same person as the merciless figure I see now? Or perhaps, who is the real Briar?‘ he wondered.

    Briar was a highly skilled doctor and the direct disciple of the legendary Tristan ckwell. She was acquainted with the international mercenaryn, who surprisingly treated her with great respect. Additionally, she was the enigmatic Speed Queen Bree, known for her exceptional driving skills that even impressed Hamish.

    Then there was the Jennings family, clearly hiding secrets. Even someone like Beatrice had essed the dark web, hired hackers, and put a hit on Briar. Zayne was now in custody, and Sawyer was also involved. There had to be a powerful underground force backing them–one that had targeted Rosalia over a decade ago.

    It appeared that the organization had turned its attention to Briar once more. Based on Briar’s attitude toward Zayne, it was clear that she had begun investigating this organization quite some time ago. The more Ashton learned about Briar, the more enigmatic she became, and the deeper his fascination with her grew.

    Ashton remained silent, and despite Brandon and Connor’s growing anxiety, neither of them dared to interfere with Briar. All they could do was stand outside the door, waiting and listening.

    After another hour, the screams inside had faded to little more than a whisper. Concerned that something terrible might happen to the man inside, Brandon leaned in and whispered, “Mr. Wade, Zayne sounds like he can’t hold on much longer, Shouldn’t we go in?”

    ‘Hope Miss Jennings doesn’t end up killing him!‘ he thought.

    Ashton was quiet for a moment. “Let’s wait a bit more,” he finally said.

    ‘Still waiting?‘ Brandon thought, growing restless.

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    Connor was starting to lose his patience, too. “Mr. Wade…”

    “Rx. Briar knows exactly what she’s doing. Don’t forget, she’s a doctor–she knows how to make someone suffer without actually killing them,” Ashton said calmly, though his words sent a chill down both Brandon and Connor’s

    spines.

    ‘What does Mr. Wade mean by that?‘ they wondered. ‘Has Miss Jennings been in there interrogating Zayne all this time without leaving him seriously hurt?‘ they asked themselves. Brandon and Connor exchanged nces, both thinking, ‘Is she this intense?‘

    After some time, the screams from inside faded. Briar eventually stepped out, her pace unhurried, gloved hands stained deep red. Blood dripped steadily from her fingertips, yet not a single drop touched her sleeves, clothes, pants, or even her shoes–an eerie disy of precision amidst the carnage.

    Brandon and Connor stared at her, their eyes wide in shock, both thinking, ‘Wow, that’s unbelievable!‘

    Briar now appeared almost apathetic; her initial excitement and ruthlessness when she first encountered Zayne had faded entirely. Her long hair flowed loosely behind her, giving her an air of distance and icy detachment. Witnessing her in this state, Ashton’s typically frosty demeanor quickly softened. He inquired, “Finished?”

    Briar nodded. “Yeah, I’m finished here. Connor, you guys can head in.”

    Brandon and Connor quickly turned to Ashton, only pushing open the half–closed door and stepping inside after he gave them a nod. In the next moment, the sound of their sharp intake of breath echoed from within.

    Ashton’s eyes widened as he turned to look as well. His pupils dted, and he felt a jolt in his chest. There, tied to the wall, was Zayne–blood streaming from every part of his body. His clothes appeared drenched in blood, making him look as though ihe /iwere a man made entirely of it. Every inch of exposed skin was gushing crimson.

    Just as Ashton had said, Briar was a doctor. So, even though Zayne appeared to be on the verge of bleeding outpletely, he remained conscious, helplessly forced to witness the blood continue pouring from his own body. The impact was not just a visual shock; the psychological toll on Zayne was equally devastating.

    Zayne’s lips trembled, his gaze unfocused–he appeared utterly terrified. The usual calm smile faded from Ashton’s face. He nced at theposed, unppable Briar, contemted saying something, but ultimately shook his head with a resigned sigh. Then he gently said to Briar, “That awful smell clings. Come on, let’s get you cleaned up and wash it off.”

    Briar lowered her head and sniffed her hands. As expected, the unpleasant, metallic scent lingered. She nodded quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Okay.”

    It was Ashton’s ce near thepany. Before meeting Briarb, /bhe spent almost every workweek here, and the ce was fully stocked with all the essentials. However, Ashton was the type who preferred everything to be spotless and in perfect order. There wasn’t a single piece of women’s clothing in the entire house—just his belongings.

    Even if someone sent over clothes right away, it would still take at least half an hour. After her shower, Briar had

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    nothing to change into, so she made do with one of Ashton’s shirts from his closet.

    There were no pants for her to wear, so she found herself with bare legs. Fortunately, Ashton was broad- shouldered and tall, allowing his shirt to drape down to Briar’s thighs, barely covering her as long as she remained indoors and out of sight, wearing Ashton’s shirt as a nightgown was a fabulous idea.

    Briar tossed her clothes into the washing machine, set it to the fastest drying cycle, and patiently waited in Ashton’s bedroom. Before long, Ashton knocked on the door and entered, carrying a ss of milk and a te of

    fruit. When he looked up, he noticed Briar sitting on the window seat, wearing his shirt—her long, delicate legs particrly striking, making it difficult to look away.

    Ashton swallowed. “Don’t sit there, you’ll catch a cold. Come over here and sit on the couch. Have some fruit.”

    Briar turned her head and noticed the intrigued look on Ashton’s face. A sly smile danced on her lips as she asked

    yfully, “Ashton, why won’t you look me in the eye?” With that, she moved gracefully towards him, causing his

    shirt to sway with each step, teasing him with glimpses of her hidden allure.