"They lost their daughter, Brenda," he said, forcing logic into his voice. "And you've been enjoying the life meant for her. So naturally, you have some responsibility to take care of them."
For a moment, silence followed.
Then... Clap. Lana began clapping slowly.
She tilted her head slightly, looking at Ashton as if she were examining something absurd.
"You're a senior professor, right?" she said, her tone filled with mock curiosity. "I'm genuinely starting to wonder who even hired someone like you."
Her lips curled faintly. "Are you even listening to yourself?"
She stepped closer, her gaze sharp.
"Because Brenda was raised by them, she should repay them. But since she's not here, you want me to do it instead?"
Her voice dropped, cold and cutting.
"What kind of twisted logic is that?"
Ashton opened his mouth to respond... but before he could speak, another voice cut in.
"What? Lana isn't from the Perry family?"
Brenda had arrived.
