Startled

With a loud thump. His fist slammed down, and the solid storage box in the car shattered into pieces. The sharp fragments left several cuts on Joseph’s hand. Streaks of fresh blood seeped out. Both Culver, who was driving, and Austin in the back seat were startled. Culver dared not make a sound. Austin trembled with fright, hastily wiped his face, and asked, "Joseph, what's wrong?" Joseph's eyes were frighteningly bloodshot and his voice was hoarse. He seemed to be answering and talking to himself, "I made a mistake. I hurt her." Hear who? Austin was stunned, unable to process his words. Soon, they arrived at the Jules Residence. The gates of the villa were tightly locked. Even though it was dark, the lights in the villa were not turned on. Through the tightly draped curtains, one could vaguely see the flickering candlelight. Austin pressed the doorbell. There was no movement in the villa and no one came out to check. Austin could only shout loudly, "Lucilla, could you let me in, pleas