place?" Ashley asked, turning to the man in the black suit. "This is the headquarters of The Syndicate," he replied, his voice firm. "You're going to meet with the leader of the organiz

, feeling a sense of curiosity. "Yes, I am wondering," she said. Marcus smiled again. "You're here because you have a very special gift, Ashley," he said. "A gift that could be very valuable to us. And we're willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that you use that gift for our benefit." Ashley felt a sense of unease. What gift was Marcus talking about? And what did he mean by "our benefit"? "I don't know what you're talking about," Ashley said, trying to sound calm. Marcus chuckled. "Oh, I think you do," he said. "You see, Ashley, you have a very special talent. A talent that could be used to manipulate and control people. And we're willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that you use that talent for our benefit." Ashley felt a sense of outrage. How dare Marcus suggest that she would use her talents to manipulate and control people? "I would never do that," Ashley said, her voice firm. Marcus smiled again. "Oh, I think you would," he said. "You see, Ashley, you're not just any ordinary person. You're a very special individual, with a very special gift. And we're willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that you use that gift for our benefit." Ashley felt a sense of fear. What did Marcus mean by "whatever it t