CHAPTER 008

Since forever, the Adams family had existed in my mind as something close to legend.

Their name inspired both fear and fascination, and the tales about them seemed almost unreal—like chapters from a novel or scenes from movies.

They dominated the streets, wielded control over entire nations, and were perpetually armed. Their influence reached deep into the city's government, with their representatives appearing everywhere.

Although the mafia was believed to be made up of various factions, whenever the name 'Mafia' came up, the Adams family was invariably the first to surface in people's thoughts.

Learning that I was inside the infamous Adams estate and likely had been sold to the head of this notorious crime lord left me numb.

Even minutes after Doctor Carlos spoke those words, I remained speechless and stunned.

“Here you are.” Doctor Carlos pressed two pills into my palm, which I took without hesitation. “This will ease your headache.”

I swallowed the medication and followed it with the water Mia had handed me earlier.

“You can rest in bed for the day. By tomorrow, you’ll be feeling much better.”

He smiled, adjusted his glasses once more, lifted his stethoscope, and began to exit.

“Doctor Carlos?”

He paused and glanced back, raising an eyebrow.

“Who is the masked man? Is he the leader of the Adams family?” The question escaped my lips before I could think, my hand still clutching the now-empty glass.

Scratching the back of his head uneasily, Doctor Carlos replied, “I believe you should get some rest, miss. In time, your questions will be answered.”

Before I could reply, he shuffled out, closing the door behind him.

I set the glass down on the bedside table and gripped the sheets tightly, overwhelmed by fear and confusion.

What were the chances? That my mother had sold me to someone she owed money to, who in turn had handed me over to one of the city’s most dreadful mafia bosses?

My hand clung to the sheets as I resolved not to obey Doctor Carlos’s suggestion.

How could I lie peacefully in bed when I was a captive? How could I rest comfortably without knowing what awaited me in the next day?

I refused to remain idle and wait for whatever might come.

Steeling myself, I rose and headed for the door, noticing that the dirty, barely-there clothes I had worn during the auction at the arena had been replaced with a loose, simple gown.

Gently gripping it to avoid stumbling, I pushed the door open.

I was then led into a lengthy corridor.

Despite my urgency to flee, the stunning paintings adorning the walls caught my attention.

I sprinted forward as rooms blurred past me, my cheeks flushing while I fought to preserve the little energy I had left.

The corridor ended at an impressive staircase, which I hurriedly descended, my bare feet barely making a sound against the tiles as I tried to move as quietly as possible.

At the bottom, the stairs opened into a spacious living room. Hearing voices, I swiftly move and headed toward the room located behind the stairs.

Pausing at the door, I widened my eyes in astonishment.

I had entered the kitchen of the Adams estate. Though it was somewhat chaotic, the pricey cabinets and equipment were unmistakable. About ten women, all wearing aprons and gloves, were busy tending pots and pans.

Suddenly, I recognized the posture of a woman with her back turned, issuing commands to a younger woman.

It was Mia.

She turned around just then, spotting me, her eyes growing wide. Her mouth parted slightly before she spoke.

“Hey, you're not supposed to be here…”

Approaching me, her face radiated worry and concern, which was touching.

However, that comfort wasn’t what I needed. I longed to return home, to escape the dreaded Adams estate and the masked man who had purchased me for eighty million dollars.

Backing away, I turned and sprinted off.

In my confusion, I failed to notice the woman walking toward me from the corner of the hall, until I collided with her.

I gasped and fell, clutching my forehead, now convinced it bore a nasty bruise.

The woman, quick to shield herself with her hands, looked at me with obvious disdain.

“What on earth is this? Who the hell runs in the hallway?”

Mia, likely trying to assist me back to my room, placed a hand on my shoulder and said,

“I’m sorry, Miss Charlene…”

I locked eyes with the woman Mia addressed as Charlene, who responded with a sneer.

“Since when do you speak for everyone here, Mia? This filthy thing hits me. Let her explain herself.”

“She’s the new servant brought in just yesterday, Miss Charlene. She didn’t know running in the hallway was forbidden.”

Charlene regarded me with suspicion, and for the first time since the commotion began, I noticed her striking beauty.

Her eyes seemed to change with the angle of the light, and when she spoke again, her voice was stronger, like someone who was used to being obeyed.

“Have you no voice?”

I swallowed hard, still holding my forehead.

“I'm sorry…I was trying to find the restroom,” I lied, grimacing in pain.

“I don't know where you come from, but here, we walk when we look for the toilet. Is that so hard to understand?”

I shook my head, my legs quaking in fear. The gravity of my situation was just dawning on me. I had tried to escape from the Adams estate.

What if I had been caught?

Charlene shook her head at me, her eyes ogling my entire body, doing nothing to hide the disgust on her face.

“I don't know why Roman still feels the need to bring uncivilised beings like you into this estate. We have all the maids and servants we want. What is so special about you?”

Roman?

 My escape plan had failed, but at least I was a bit more knowledgeable than I was about the adams family minutes ago.

I now knew the name of the masked man who bought me last night.

 Roman.