Chapter 5

Elena's POV

I checked myself out of the hospital, then went to the police station to report on my injury and Vito's crimes.

After doing all that, I was exhausted, so I dragged my tired body home.

However, after entering the passcode several times, I kept getting an error message. I had no choice but to knock and call out.

The next second, a bucket of ice water poured down from above, drenching me completely.

I cried out from the cold, and my body was trembling uncontrollably.

Lorenzo, having heard the noise, quickly walked out of the villa. He frowned as he took in the chaotic sight in the yard. When he looked at me, his eyes showed a rare glimmer of concern.

Then, he looked up at the bodyguards on the second floor, his tone unusually angry.

"What's going on here? What have you done?"

It was the first time Lorenzo had been this angry about something involving me.

The bodyguards weren't sure what to do, so they looked at Sofia, who had followed Lorenzo out.

I frowned and looked over as well.

Dressed in a beige designer suit, Sofia carried herself with effortless elegance, looking like a preening peacock.

Her expression remained calm as she explained, "Elena has recently suffered a misfortune. She's ridden with bad luck. I thought of this method to help purify her.

"Besides, the water used was spring water I had flown in from Francia. It's rich in minerals and good for your health. If you don't believe me, then forget it."

Her tone remained calm, but her words sounded harsh and grating to me.

Just as I was about to retort, Sofia started walking away.

With an anxious look, Lorenzo made the final call. "Since Sofia means well, let's do as she says."

I was shocked and said, "Lorenzo, I'm still injured."

"You guys help her out."

Lorenzo hurried off to catch up to Sofia, leaving after saying that.

The bodyguards nodded in understanding. They pinned me down, one on each side, and continued pouring water over me.

But this time, it wasn't just ice water. It was a foul-smelling, muddy mixture of "mineral mud".

Bucket after bucket was poured on me, and I gradually struggled to breathe. My lungs felt like they were being sliced by dull blades, causing waves of nausea to wash over me.

After ten buckets, I was close to suffocating. That was when the bodyguards threw me to the ground like a rag doll.

I forced myself to crawl back to the villa, then collapsed by the toilet in the bathroom and retched violently. But because I hadn't eaten much, I could only bring up bile and blood in the end.

Involuntary tears fell as the strength left my body completely, and I fainted.

…

When I woke up again, it was early the next morning. I forced myself to take a shower, threw away all my clothes, and applied medicine to my infected surgical scars. Then, I fell back asleep.

I was jolted awake by the loud bang of the door being flung open.

Sofia walked to my bedside and threw a document at me from a distance. "Sign it."

Her voice was cold, as if even speaking one extra word to me was beneath her.

I looked down and saw the words "Letter of Forgiveness" on the paper.

In an instant, I laughed indignantly. Holding my wound, I forced myself to sit up and stare Sofia straight in the eyes.

"On what grounds?" I coldly retorted.

Sofia parted her lips slightly and said in a calm voice, "You haven't really lost anything. Why hold on to it and ruin goodwill? Just sign the letter quickly so Lorenzo won't continue to hold Mr. Abela accountable."

I shot back without hesitation, "Then, in your opinion, what counts as a loss?"