When Charlie woke up, she found herself bound to a chair. She looked around and realized she was in what looked like a basement.
She had been to Easton’s villa countless times, but she had never seen this place before.
Panic instantly flooded her face.
She struggled with all her strength, but the ropes held her fast.
Moments later, Easton and the other three appeared before her.
Seeing the dark, impenetrable expressions on their faces, Charlie trembled. But almost at once, he forced herself to act as though nothing was wrong–pretending to be pitiful as she pleaded Easton, Connor, what’s going on? Why am I tied up like this?”
Her feigned ignorance did nothing to deceive them.
Easton gave a cold laugh before striking her hard across the face.
ears spilled instantly down Charlie’s cheeks.
Connor curled his lips in a mock smile, though his eyes were frozen with cruelty.
Easton, weren’t you the one who loved Charlie most? Why so ruthless now? Look at her–what a itiful little thing.”
le even reached out and brushed away her tears, just as he used to–yet in his gaze was nothing ut merciless frost.
Charlie’s body shuddered. Clinging to her last hope, she whimpered, “Easton, Connor, Kenji layden… what’s happening? I don’t know anything! Even if the young miss slandered me, can’t ou give me a chance to explain? You know I’m not that kind of person…”
ears rolled down again, heavy with practiced grievance.
lut Kenji could no longer contain himself. He ground his teeth, then slapped her across the face vith a vicious snarl.
How dare you! How dare you even mention Debbie in front of us?”
You vile woman–you did all those things to her! We’ll never forgive you! Because of you, we loubted her, tormented her–because of you, she won’t even look at me anymore!”
His voice cracked with rage, nearly unhinged.
Beside him, Hayden’s eyes darkened, filled with unmasked hostility.
Though Easton and Connor said nothing, the way they looked at Charlie was no different from how one looked at a corpse.
When Kenji moved again, hand raised for another blow, Easton stepped forward and stopped
- im.
‘Enough.”
Kenji glared at him furiously. “What, do you still care about this woman?”
Easton’s brows drew tight. “She has done countless wrongs against Debbie–do you think just beating her to death is enough?”
Chapter 22
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“I want her to die in torment. Whatever she fears most, she will face. If you kill her now, she’ll escape too easily.”
A cruel smile twisted Kenji’s lips. “You’re right. This woman shouldn’t die so easily. She made Debbie suffer–then she’ll suffer everything Debbie endured, tenfold.”
Connor and Hayden both sneered coldly in agreement.
Charlie’s heart sank. She understood now–no words, no tears, could save her. They must have uncovered the truth, and nothing she said could change their minds.
Her last hope crumbled when a group of bodyguards entered.
Easton shot her a glacial look. “She’s yours. Do whatever you like with her.”
‘She’s terrified of the dark–then this basement will never see the light again. She fears insects- tomorrow, I want you to bring every poisonous thing you can find. From now on, she’ll live with
:hem.”
Charlie’s eyes widened in horror, disbelief shaking her voice.
‘No–no! You can’t do this to me! Didn’t you say you loved me most? I only did this to get rid of Debbie–for you! Don’t you hate her? Everything I did was for your sake!”
Her words tumbled out brokenly, almost incoherent from fear.
The four men looked at her pathetic state and wondered bitterly how they had ever been fooled ›y such a woman–so much so that they had even forgotten who they truly loved.
Their faces twisted with regret and self–loathing.
Our hearts were never yours, Charlie,” they spat.
The one we loved has always been Debbie. You deceived us, misled us, destroyed us! Nothing ‘ou say matters anymore–you’ll rot here until death takes you!”
Without another glance, they turned and walked toward the exit.
Realizing her tricks had lost all power, Charlie’s despair twisted into fury.
As the basement door began to close, she screamed after them, “Blame me all you want–but it doesn’t change the truth! You’re the real culprits who hurt Debbie! She’ll never forgive you–you selfish, fickle beasts! Everything I did–you allowed it! You encouraged it!”
Her words struck like knives into their hearts.
Easton and the others cast her one last venomous look–then slammed the door shut.
Darkness swallowed her whole.
Chapter 22
