Unlike what others thought, Ashley didn't return just because she needed to placate Lucian. If anything, she just sent him off, as he had some matters to attend to, and he had only come to check on her before leaving.
So, why, until now, had she not returned to the plantation?
Because…
"Hey! Where are you guys?" Ashley's voice echoed on the other side of the territory, searching for Red and his crew. "I think I saw them just here earlier."
She tilted her head to the side, rubbing her chin.
"Was I mistaken?" she wondered again and shrugged, turning away to look for them elsewhere.
Meanwhile, when Ashley turned and skipped away, five heads slowly popped out from behind the bush. Seeing that she was leaving, they heaved a sigh of relief and slid back into the bush.
"What the heck does she want this time?" Red grumbled, slumped on the grass. In utter disbelief, they were hiding when they saw her coming.
