A heavy silence settled over the room as Ophelia could only stare at Ashley.

Ashley’s words lingered in the air, but they echoed even louder in Ophelia’s mind.

The Ashley she remembered was still a little girl—one who hadn’t even reached her teenage years.

Hearing her speak now with such certainty, such honesty, without trying to soften the truth, stirred something deep inside Ophelia. At the same time, it forced her to accept one painful reality.

Ashley was no longer the girl she once knew.

She was no longer the child who had teetered on the edge of insanity after enduring unimaginable torment.

"Miss Ashley," Ophelia whispered. "I understand, but—"

"I’ll be fine, Ophelia." Ashley raised her brows and gave her a reassuring nod. "But first... can you help me?"

Ophelia frowned.

"Miss, what are you planning? Please don’t tell me you’re trying to get me out of here." She shook her head firmly. "You don’t have to put yourself in danger for me."

"Please," Ophelia repeated. "I’ve lived in this place for a long time, and there are..."

Her voice trailed off as her eyes fell. "...people here I can’t leave behind."

Why would Ashley be surprised?

Ophelia might now be in charge of this wing, but that didn’t mean her life had become any easier.

Anyone could imagine what had happened to a woman who had once been so full of life—so impossible to break—that she had ended up licking these monsters’ dirty boots.

She had done it to protect others who were just as much victims as she was.

Even if that protection came at the cost of her own dignity.

Besides, Ashley had done enough research to know that this place—once considered an impenetrable fortress—had suffered several security breaches over the past few years.

Some victims had even managed to escape.

"Who said I only came for you?" Ashley finally asked.

Ophelia slowly looked up.

"Ophelia... can you do me a favor?" Ashley continued.

The wrinkles on Ophelia’s face deepened as she waited.

"Gather everyone tonight without raising suspicion," Ashley whispered, lowering her voice. "Can you do that?"

"Gather... everyone?" Confusion filled Ophelia’s face. "Miss Ashley, what exactly are you planning?"

"I have men waiting outside," Ashley replied, keeping the explanation as brief as possible.

She didn’t mention just how many soldiers were surrounding the compound. Otherwise, Ophelia might believe the mission was impossible before it even began.

Ashley squeezed her hand.

"Get everyone out of here. Prioritize the children," she said firmly. "This is your chance to free everyone from this shithole."

Another silence settled between them. Hesitation was written all over Ophelia’s face as she searched Ashley’s eyes.

"Miss Ashley, this is dangerous." Her voice dropped into a whisper. "What if they find out?"

She swallowed hard. "Do you even know how many children are here? There are over a hundred."

She hadn’t even counted the women.

Ashley paused.

She had expected the number to be high, but not that high.

Even so, it changed nothing.

When she finally spoke again, she chose the one truth she knew would overpower the fear buried deep inside Ophelia.

"If you don’t do this..." Ashley said quietly, her expression turning cold. "They’re going to get caught in the crossfire."

Ophelia’s breath caught in her throat.

For the first time, Ashley truly looked murderous.

"Father Tonio once told me I’d either become better than my father..." Ashley continued softly, "... or become just like him."

"I gave him my answer last night." A faint, bitter smile crossed her lips. "I became worse."

"Marshal knows when to stop if it protects his business — I don’t. Even if it kills me." She leaned closer until their faces were only inches apart. "And right now, I’ll kill anyone who gets in my way. Even you, Ophelia."

Did Ashley mean it?

Yes.

With all her heart.

The fire she was about to unleash would erupt in this place whether these people remained here or not.

The least she could do was force them—force Ophelia—to overcome the fear that had kept them obedient to these monsters for so many years.

"Ophelia, I am begging you," she added, shaking her head. "Do not make me... kill these people."

Ophelia could only stare into Ashley’s unwavering eyes.

Her frail heart pounded violently against her ribs as fear crawled beneath her skin. Part of her wanted to beg Ashley to stop. Another part wanted to threaten her—to report her to the guards if she refused to listen.

Not because she would actually do it, but because she felt like she had to.

This was madness.

Standing against these people was suicide.

Even if Ashley had come armed, unless she had brought an entire battalion, there was no way she could win.

Moreover, there was another base only two or three hours away by helicopter. Reinforcements could arrive at any moment.

Still, she said nothing and simply stared at her.

Slowly, her scarred, callused hands curled into fists. Despite everything she knew about this place...

Despite every fear screaming inside her...

She knew one thing.

"Marshal Di Carpio..." she murmured, slowly shaking her head while keeping her gaze on Ashley. "...really did create someone he’ll regret."

When Ashley was still a child, those who knew her had always believed one of two things.

She would either die young... or lose her mind eventually.

But if neither happened...

Then one day she would become Marshal’s greatest creation... and his greatest regret.

Looking at Ashley now, Ophelia finally understood the monster that Marshal had created: Absolute. Brutal. Unstoppable.

"He..." Ophelia whispered, her voice breaking. "He truly ruined you."

Despite the words, there was no hatred in her voice.

Only grief.

Because she finally understood Marshal hadn’t just destroyed Ashley’s childhood.

He had destroyed every chance she might have had to reconcile with him. Every hope she had once clung to.

And the thought that Ashley might walk this path completely alone made Ophelia’s heart ache.

"There’s a place," she said after a long silence. "After dinner, the guards usually make their rounds. Once they’re finished, they lower their guard and focus on... their nightly entertainment."

She drew a slow breath.

"When that happens, I’ll gather the children and the people I trust." Her expression darkened. "But the women are usually taken to the soldiers’ quarters. They’ll have to stay, and they’ll be in danger."

"Don’t worry about that." Ashley smiled. "Just get the children out."

"As for the women..." Her smile widened ever so slightly. "Can’t you see how beautiful I am? I’ll be with them."