Chapter 3

Thud! Thud! Thud!

A flash of panic crossed Calvin's face.

In a flurry, he pulled out a small vial of liquid and forced it into my mouth, making me choke and cough violently.

"What is this…"

My throat burned, and it felt as if my vocal cords had been glued shut. I could not form a complete sound.

"Something to shut you up."

He grabbed a black cloak and draped it over me.

Beneath it, I was completely naked.

Then, he produced a silver half-mask and fitted it over my face, leaving only my lips and chin exposed.

It was only after finishing all this that he straightened his rumpled collar, plastered on a sycophantic smile, and went to open the door.

The door swung open.

Two men in black stepped inside, followed by a man in a gray suit.

He had a buzz cut and a scar splitting his left eyebrow.

It was Harris Cress.

He was Jackson's closest brother-in-arms back then, the other bodyguard who had once been fiercely loyal to me.

He was still alive!

If he could recognize me…

If he could take me away…

Even being dragged before Jackson to die would be better than being sold by this animal, Calvin.

I stared at Harris, using every ounce of strength I had to try to climb off the bed.

"Uhrm… Mmph…"

All that came out of my throat was a muffled, indistinct moan that sounded almost like an invitation.

Damn this drug!

Harris's cold gaze swept over the disheveled bed and finally settled on me. His brow furrowed as disgust filled his eyes.

"This is the 'top-tier' one you mentioned?"

Calvin immediately bent forward, nodding eagerly.

"Yes, yes. Harris, look. She has blonde hair, blue eyes, and skin as white as snow."

He walked over and viciously squeezed my chest through the cloak, making my body shudder.

"And she hasn't been used much. She's clean. She'll definitely satisfy the Godfather."

Harris stepped closer.

My heart pounded wildly as I tried desperately to give him some kind of signal.

I deliberately let my body tilt and collapse toward the edge of the bed. The hem of the oversized black cloak flipped up.

My pale, slender calf was exposed.

Just above my left ankle, a vivid red spider lily tattoo came into view.

Five years ago, Jackson held my foot and etched it there, prick by prick.

He said the spider lily flower bloomed along the road to the underworld and that with this flower, even if I died, he would find me in Hell.

Harris had to recognize it!

Sure enough, his gaze was caught by that flash of red.

He stared at the tattoo, and for the first time, something shifted in his otherwise indifferent eyes.

In that instant, my heart nearly burst from my chest.

'Recognize me. Please, recognize me!'

I lifted my head with all my strength, trying to speak through my eyes. Even behind the mask, I hoped he could see the desperation and pleading in them.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly.

I held my breath, tears pooling in my eyes.

Was I saved?

The next second, Harris let out a short, mocking chuckle.

He turned to Calvin with contempt written all over his face.

"You even bothered with the tiny details.

"Impressive.

"The Godfather does have a particular obsession with this kind of tattoo.

"But I'm not sure whether it'll work or not."

What?

He thought it was fake?

Did he simply not care whether it was real?

I was utterly consumed by despair.

Harris turned away and flicked his hand.

"Take her."

The two bodyguards stepped forward and hauled me up like a dead dog.

Calvin followed behind them. Greed was crawling all over his face.

A handkerchief was pressed tightly over my mouth and nose.

In the final second before my consciousness slipped away, I heard Calvin's nauseating flattery.

"Harris, she's just a nobody. She's got no power, no backing. She's perfect as a stand-in for an old flame, something for him to vent his frustration with.

"There's no need to treat her like a person. As long as the Godfather's satisfied, even if he screws her to death tonight, that's fine too. As long as my debt is cleared!"