Chapter 3

The next second, I was dragged into the blinding beam of the spotlight. Camellia ripped off my hood, let out a cheer, and slammed the switch.

A blast of intense light pierced straight into my eyes. Sharp, searing pain exploded from deep within my skull, and blood-tinged tears streamed down my face.

Only then did she finally switch the light off, satisfied, and shove the hood back over my head. "The light is super powerful! Now, when Ashley paints in the courtyard at night, she won't have any trouble seeing."

Vincent smiled and playfully tapped her nose. "You're always so thoughtful. Ash's going to love it."

For me, however, light had been ripped from my world. I collapsed to the ground in agony, vomiting uncontrollably, my body wrecked and broken.

With a look of disgust, he gave me a kick and shielded Camellia's eyes with his hand. "Don't look. It's disgusting."

I had no more tears to cry. My heart felt like it was being torn apart.

This was the man who used to run across the entire city to find inspiration for me whenever I felt creatively blocked. Now, he destroyed my eyes and hands that I had used to create my art.

"I'll give your family five million dollars. Think of it as buying your life." Vincent squatted before me, mischief dancing in his eyes as he added, "If you serve Cami well enough, I might consider not killing you."

I struggled to lift what was left of my mangled arm, trying to remove the hood for him to see and save me, but…

He sneered. "I can't believe you're still trying to seduce me at this point."

His gaze darkened, and he slammed his foot down on my stomach, grinding it in without mercy. I curled up in agony, trying to shield myself, but there was nowhere to hide from his torment.

Vincent turned around and shouted at Lucas, "Where the hell is Ash? Listen up, everyone! If she's not found soon, you'll share the same fate as this thing!"

With reddened eyes, Camellia softly clung to him and coaxed, "Don't worry, Vince. I'm sure Ashley is safe.

"Let's… Let's do something fun to take your mind off it, okay?"

She winked cheekily. "I read about an old medieval punishment once—gruesome stuff. It's brutal, but… maybe we could try a little version of it, just for fun?

"Next time someone dares to upset Ashley, they'll know exactly what's coming."

A flicker of dark amusement lit up in Vincent's eyes. With just a glance, a few of his bodyguards stepped forward, grinning viciously. They began tracing blades across my skin, mocking and slow…

Every hair on my body stood on end. I fought the rising panic and screamed through the gag with everything I had. However, the dirty rag stuffed in my mouth muffled my screams into helpless sobs.

The originally apathetic Vincent frowned and turned around. "That's enough, everyone. I'll keep her alive—show some decency for Ash's sake."

The moment he uttered my name, his eyes softened with a tenderness that could melt hearts.

Camellia pouted and cooed, "It was just a painting, no? I could learn to paint one for you someday."

Before she could say more, Vincent delivered a sharp slap across her face. His gentle expression had vanished. Now, cold and ruthless, he grabbed her chin with iron strength.

"You've only been around for years, and you really thought you could ever compare to Ash? There's only room in my heart for one wife, and it's her!"

Her eyes welled with tears. When she looked at me, her gaze had visibly twisted into something spiteful and chilling. However, she quickly adjusted her expression.

She clung to his arm, whining playfully, "Okay, okay, I messed up… I just care about you so much. Don't hold it against me, please?"

Then, she said something that chilled my heart. "Since you slapped me, you've got to make it up to me! If you use the maid as your canvas and carve out the painting for me, I'll forgive you for hitting me."

Vincent narrowed his eyes. It took him a beat before a chuckle slipped from his lips.

He rummaged through the toolbox and pulled out a carving knife, dragging the tip across the wall with a high-pitched screech that made my skin crawl.

Camellia actually wanted him to carve that destroyed painting into my back.

I reached out, desperately trying to remove the hood, but there wasn't an ounce of strength left in me.

He thought I wanted to fight back, so he slapped me harshly again, propelling me to the side. "You should be grateful that a filthy creature like you gets to have Ash's painting carved on your back…

"Don't worry—I'll still give your family the five million dollars as promised. But… I don't suppose they'll care about your life after receiving that kind of money, huh?"

A cold, twisted smile hung on his lips. Then, without hesitation, he plunged the blade straight into my back.

Flashes of my sweetest memories with Vincent sped through my mind. His smile, his kindness; every painting he ever made for me… All of it now felt like a flying arrow reversed back at me.

My eyelids grew unbearably heavy. My hand slipped from the air and fell limply at my side.

At that moment, Lucas barged in with a ghastly pale face. "Mr. Hawthorn, we've found her! Her location shows that she's always been here…"