"I understand, Young Lady. As you wish," Aunt Lavinia replied with a gentle nod. She descended the steps with unhurried grace until she stood before Ashley, then reached behind her and brought out a small, elegant box.

Ashley’s attention was immediately drawn to it. The moment it came into view, she recognized the brand, a Vertu phone, but this one was different. It was housed in a finely crafted leather case, clearly customized, its understated luxury hinting at something far more exclusive than the usual.

"This is...?" Ashley asked, her gaze shifting from the box to Aunt Lavinia.

"We noticed you didn’t have a phone when we found you," Aunt Lavinia explained gently. "So I took the liberty of having one prepared for you."

She gestured toward the leather case. "It’s customized, equipped with the highest level of privacy protection. If you ever find yourself in danger, you can contact our private security directly."

"There’s also a tracker built in, but it won’t monitor your location unless you personally activate it, or in the event of an emergency authorized by the head of the family. Your privacy will always be respected."

Her tone remained calm and reassuring as she continued, "It’s also linked to the Black Dragon Card your brother gave you, so you can make transactions wherever you are. And I’ve already saved all your brothers’ numbers... as well as mine, should you need anything."

With that, Aunt Lavinia offered the box to her. Seeing Ashley still holding the bento box, she instinctively moved as if to place it inside the car first, but Ashley simply shifted her grip and took the box with her free hand, effortless and composed, as though the extra weight made no difference at all.

"Thank you, Aunt Lavinia, I almost forgot about it myself. You’re so thoughtful," Ashley said with a soft, genuine smile. It was true; she hadn’t even realized she needed a phone.

Everything she required had been quietly prepared for her, placed in her hands before she ever had to ask, and the thought had simply never crossed her mind. Only now, with the device before her, did she recall how essential it was.

With this, she wouldn’t have to draw unnecessary attention when she arrived at the company; she could simply call Apollo and have someone meet her discreetly at the reception instead.

"It’s my pleasure, my lady," Aunt Lavinia replied with a gentle smile as she watched Ashley head toward the car. The driver stepped forward at once, opening the back door with practiced precision and raising a hand to shield Ashley as she entered, ensuring she wouldn’t bump her head.

Once she was seated, he closed the door quietly and took his place at the front.

Inside, Ashley set the bento box carefully on the seat beside her, resting the leather case on her lap. For a moment, she simply gazed out the window as the car pulled away, the estate slowly fading from view.

Only when Aunt Lavinia disappeared from sight did she lower her gaze and open the box.

Nestled within a velvet cushion lay a phone, looking all sleek, understated, yet undeniably elegant. Its black touchscreen surface was framed with fine gold lining, and on the back, a golden dragon was intricately engraved, coiled with quiet power.

"It looks good..." Ashley murmured, a small smile forming on her lips as she powered the phone on.

She took her time exploring it, opening apps, checking the settings, and familiarizing herself with its functions. Fortunately, the interface wasn’t much different from what she was used to, so it didn’t take long for her to navigate through it with ease.

Still, she paid special attention to the security features Aunt Lavinia had mentioned. She checked the tracking system carefully, confirming that it wasn’t active by default, and reviewed the privacy settings one by one.

Everything aligned with what she had been told: nothing invasive, and nothing hidden.

Only then did she allow herself to relax, her shoulders easing slightly as she leaned back against the seat, the faint tension in her chest finally settling.

As the Rolls-Royce Cullinan glided down the mountain road, Ashley opened the messaging app and searched for Apollo’s number. After a brief pause, she typed out her message.

"Brother Apollo, it’s Ashley. I’m coming to visit you today. Let’s have lunch together, alright? I brought Japanese cuisine."

She tapped send, her eyes lingering on the screen until the word ’Delivered’ appeared beneath the message. Only then did she let out a quiet breath of relief. Moments later, her phone vibrated softly. Apollo had already replied.

"Alright. I’ll send someone to fetch you."

Apollo’s reply was brief, but it was enough to put Ashley at ease. A quiet sense of reassurance settled in her chest. Everything was arranged. All she had to do now was arrive and wait.

With that, she slipped her phone back into her bag and leaned against the seat, letting her eyes close as the gentle motion of the car lulled her into a light nap.

When she opened them again, the driver’s voice reached her softly, announcing their arrival.

"Young Miss, we’ve arrived," the driver said gently.

Ashley blinked awake and glanced out the window, quickly noticing the line of cars gathered near the entrance. The driver had stopped a short distance away, waiting patiently for the traffic to clear before pulling up properly.

He had only meant to give her time to prepare, not to let her out just yet.

But Ashley watched the car ahead linger, showing no sign of moving anytime soon, and felt a flicker of impatience. She didn’t want to sit there waiting when her destination was already within reach.

"Just drop me here," Ashley said, already reaching for her things. She picked up her small Bottega Veneta Madison bag in dark brown, perfectly matching her understated yet refined outfit, then lifted the bento box with ease before stepping out of the car.

The driver barely had time to react, much less get out and open the door for her. She moved quickly, almost as if eager to distance herself from the vehicle. Though the Cullinan he drove was one of the more discreet models from the garage, it was still a Rolls-Royce, far too eye-catching for someone trying to keep a low profile.

Ashley knew that well.

That was why she had chosen her outfit so carefully, making it so simple, elegant, with no visible logos. To the untrained eye, she would look ordinary, blending in with quiet grace.

Only those familiar with old-money refinement would recognize the subtle luxury woven into every piece she wore.

The moment Ashley stepped into the company building, she was met with a steady flow of people moving in and out, like the employees, visitors, and those waiting around the lobby, all blending into a busy, restless scene.

It was impossible to tell who had been sent to meet her, and she didn’t want to draw attention by lingering in the center of it all.

So she quietly moved to the side, slipping into a less noticeable spot before pulling out her phone, ready to send Apollo a quick message to let him know she had arrived.