Chapter 3

Rex stared at my face for a good half minute, his expression shifting from scrutiny to something disturbingly odd.

"Damn, the resemblance is uncanny," he muttered.

His rough fingers traced across my cheek as he continued, "You look exactly like the guy in the photo."

My whole body went rigid as I forced out the words, "Are you Rex Harding? I'm-"

Another slap landed, even harder than the one Kenny gave me earlier. My head whipped to the side, and blood trickled from the corner of my mouth.

"Who told you my name?" Rex grabbed a fistful of my hair and forced me to look at him. "You're just collateral, and you think you can get close to me like that?"

"No. I'm actually-"

He clamped his hand around my throat. "Shut up! Say one more word, and I'll rip out your tongue."

The suffocating pressure hit me instantly, and I clawed desperately at his hand but could not break free.

Gina and her family stood nearby, not daring to breathe too loudly, their faces plastered with ingratiating smiles as they watched Rex.

"Mr. Harding, about this," Kenny ventured cautiously. "What about Ms. Sanders?"

"Ms. Sanders is upstairs handling business. She told me to come check things out first," Rex said, releasing my throat and standing up. "But this guy doesn't seem too cooperative."

He pulled out a cigarette, lit it, took a drag, then crouched back down and flicked the ashes onto my face.

Gripping my chin, he said, "Looking like someone Ms. Sanders is into should be a blessing for you, but don't think that face gives you a free pass. Ms. Sanders hates it when people try to use her connections, so you'd better know your place."

I coughed violently, tears streaming down my face. "I'm actually her nephew. You have to believe me!"

"You're still lying?!" Rex exploded in rage and kicked me hard in the stomach.

I doubled over in pain, feeling like everything inside of me was burning.

Rex sneered. "Don't you think I'd know whether Ms. Sanders has siblings? Where the hell would a nephew come from? You'll say anything to climb the social ladder, won't you?"

He gestured to his men. "Bring me some liquor."

One of his guys immediately handed him a bottle of vodka.

Rex twisted off the cap, grabbed my jaw, and started pouring it down my throat. The burning alcohol seared my throat as I choked, my face turning bright red while the liquid spilled down my chin onto my neck and clothes.

Rex's expression turned vicious. "Drink it! Finish the whole damn bottle! If you dare spit any of it out when Ms. Sanders gets here, I'll throw you into the underground arena and let all the guys there have a taste!"

He only let go after forcing most of the bottle down my throat.

I collapsed on the floor, dry heaving, my throat burning, my voice completely wrecked and unable to form proper words.

Gina looked uneasy. "Mr. Harding, what if he can't talk when Ms. Sanders arrives?"

Rex shot her a glance. "It's better that way. Saves him from spouting more nonsense."

He crouched back down and grabbed my right hand. "Nice fingers you've got there."

I stared at him in horror.

"Too bad!" He grinned wickedly and suddenly twisted hard.

The cracking sound echoed loudly, and my agonized scream pierced through the entire parlor. My index finger bent at a grotesque angle, and the excruciating pain nearly made me black out.

"That's just one. If you don't behave, I'll break all ten of your fingers," Rex said casually.

I convulsed from the pain, tears and snot covering my face.

"Ms. Sanders is here!" one of the guys at the door suddenly announced.

Rex immediately straightened up, adjusted his suit, and put on a respectful expression."

Gina's family quickly stood at attention, heads bowed, not daring to look around.

Soon, the door opened, and a tall figure walked in wearing a black coat, looking striking and commanding. The person radiated an aura that warned everyone to keep their distance.

It was my aunt, Carmelia. She swept her gaze across the parlor, and her brow furrowed immediately.

"What's going on? Why is it such a mess in here?"

Rex hurried forward. "Ms. Sanders, these people came to settle a debt and brought some guy with them."

Carmelia said coldly. "I told you not to bring just anyone here. Clean this up."

She turned to leave as soon as she finished speaking.

I silently screamed, 'No! Don't go!'

I used every ounce of strength I had left, struggling to get up. However, my legs gave out, and I collapsed again. I could not make any sound from my ruined throat.

Aunt Carmelia was getting further away. In desperation, I yanked off the necklace my father left me. Then, with my still-functional left hand, I hurled the necklace toward her feet with all my might.

The metal hit the marble floor with a clear, ringing sound.

Aunt Carmelia's steps halted. She looked down, her gaze moving from the necklace on the floor to my face, covered in tears and bruises.

Her eyes instantly widened.