Chapter 19
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As I walked down the corridor, my nerves were on edge; I kept looking behind me. The hotel was eerily quiet; I hadn’t seen a single staff member. The silence was… unnerving.
she
Seeing no one following, I relaxed slightly. Perhaps I was overreacting. If Seraphine had intended to set me up, would have done so already. She didn’t want to give me the money, but she knew what was more important to the Shaws. She wasn’t that stupid.
The lobby was just ahead. I checked the time:7:40 pm. Time to contact Gary. I texted him: I’m here…
Before I could finish it, a woman in a black uniform suddenly appeared around the corner, bumping into me. She apologized profusely. “I’m really sorry.”
She offered to help me up.
“It’s fine, I’m okay…” The next second, a sharp, icy pain shot through my neck. My heart plummeted; I tried to push her away, but dizziness overwhelmed me. A sinister smile played on her lips. She held me tighter.“Are you alright, ma’am? Which room are you in? That way? Okay, I’ll take you there.” After this self–dialogue, she forcibly led me down a quieter corridor.
“Help…” Panic overwhelmed me; my strength rapidly drained; I couldn’t even scream. Everything around me became distant and hazy; my soul seemed to fall into a deep pit…
Someone, please help me….
I remembered the phone I’d slipped into my pocket after the collision; the unfinished message remained. Using all my strength, I reached into my pocket, slowly and carefully moved my fingers. I typed by feel, then pressed send.
Evan was having a break in the hotel courtyard, slightly tipsy from the wine. The night breeze ruffled his hair.
“Ding ding“-a message notification. Gary took out his phone; he’d been waiting for Olivia’s message. Seeing it was from her, he smiled with relief, but his brow furrowed as he read it.
“Sir.”
“What?” Evan responded calmly, opening his eyes.
Gary bent over to hand him the phone.“I’m going to meet Ms. Frost at eight; she texted that she was here, but… the last word looks strange. Sir, what do you think it means?”
Evan gave him a speechless look, then read the message: I’m here. Hwlp.
“Hwlp?” He frowned slightly. As he pondered, a cold glint flashed his eyes. He initiated a video call.
Gary was surprised.“Sir, you…” Evan silenced him. Confused, Gary watched the video connect.
The screen was dim; muffled footsteps, the sound of shoes scraping the floor, and sporadic, rapid breathing were audible.
“Help… help…” The strained voice soon became muffled whimpering.
Something happened to her! Evan hung up.“Ask the hotel if Olivia Frost has checked in.”
Gary did what he was told to.
After a while, he reported to Evan, “Reception says a beautiful woman checked in around 7 PM, saying she had a meeting; she left a suit. Based on the description, it was probably Ms. Frost. After that, she disappeared…” Evan rose, made a call, his composure unwavering. His steps quickened as he headed in a specific direction.
In the room, the lighting was dim. I was thrown onto the bed. Several men, clad only in towels, stood around me, their eyes leering, their expressions lascivious. Various toys, needles, and syringes were at the foot of the bed.
19.09
Mem
“No… no… don’t.. “Overwhelming terror seized me; I tried to struggle but fell back onto the bed. Watching them getting closer, I could only shrink back.
“What a beauty.”
The face, the figure… she is a ten.”
“Her man is ruthless. He even paid us to… well, you know… abuse her. I even feel sorry for her.”
The woman disguised as a hotel employee pulled an agreement from my bag and grabbed my hand to imprint my fingerprint. Her husband doesn’t want to pay the divorce settlement. He said… you could do whatever you want with her… and film everything.”
My mind exploded. It was… Julian? No, no way!
Ignoring everything, I groped for my phone, my grip faltering. With difficulty, I picked it up, dialing Julian’s number. I needed to ask him; I needed to ask him in person….
Someone tried to grab my phone, but the woman stopped them. “Let her call.”
Julian hung up again and again. On the third attempt, the call connected, but it wasn’t Julian; it was Rita.“Julian doesn’t want to take
your call.*
She laughed gleefully. By the way, did you see the guys I got you? You know what? They are really kinky in bed, and one of them has AIDS. They’ll give you another injection later to enhance the fun. Tomorrow, the video of you with eight men will be online; your parents, your friends and family, everyone will know you’re a slut.”
“Oh, and to celebrate, Julian and I will be announcing our engagement tomorrow night. You won’t get a cent; you’ll be ostracized. Even if you call the police, it won’t help. In this city, destroying you is like crushing an ant for the two of us. You can’t win.”
“How does it feel? I took your man, your job, and now I’m destroying you. But guess what? I’ll get away with it and grow old happily with Julian.”
As for you… you can only die in pain. Ha ha ha…” She laughed triumphantly.
The phone slipped from my ear. Overwhelming anger and hatred sliced through my chest, tearing my insides apart. But I didn’t feel pain; I didn’t want to cry. I just wanted to get up.
Even if I died here and became a ghost, I wouldn’t let them go!
“Let’s begin. Enjoy yourselves. The woman turned on the camera. Eight men walked to me.
“Go… away…I clutched the pillow in despair, but I didn’t have the strength to throw it. My hands were bound to the headboard; my legs were held down; countless hands reached out, tearing at my clothes…
A fat man climbed onto the bed, holding a syringe, his expression excited and vicious. As he raised the needle toward my thigh, I closed my eyes, biting my tongue with all my might…
A key turned in the lock.
