The escape

Linda waited near the security checkpoint. She didn't understand why Brandy was in such a hurry to leave, as if demons were nipping at her heels.

Half an hour later, she saw Brandy running towards her.

Brandy panted, struggling to catch her breath, "Aunt, the ticket!" She took the passport, ID, and plane ticket from Linda's hand.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Linda asked.

Unless you're blind, you can see something's wrong.

"My professor called me back to school. I don't know what it is, but it's urgent," Brandy had already prepared an excuse.

Given her age, if she hadn't taken a leave from school due to pregnancy, she would still be a student. It sounded reasonable, but Linda still didn't want her to leave. She clutched Brandy's hand and said, "Brandy, you barely showed your face at the banquet after arriving, then you've been staying with your friend. Now you're rushing back home. We've barely spoken. When will I see you again? Don't you miss me?"

Guilt gnawed at Brandy.

She'd wanted to spend time with Linda after so many years away, but then Jose appeared. His power in Elite City was terrifying. If she didn't leave now, when would she get another chance?

"Auntie, I...I'll come back to see you soon. I...I really have to go. Take care..." Brandy couldn't afford to waste any more time. She reluctantly let go of her aunt's hand and ran towards the security checkpoint.

"Brandy..." Linda called after her.

Watching her niece disappear into the security line, Linda was bewildered. Could a school matter truly be this urgent?

After security, Brandy waited for her flight.

Once on board, she waited for takeoff.

Her insides burned with anxiety.

Brandy's gaze drifted to the window, a wave of guilt washing over her as she thought of Linda.

This departure felt final. She doubted she'd ever return. But she had no choice. She couldn't stay within Jose's reach!

Brandy kept checking the time, the steady stream of boarding passengers only fueling her impatience.

The broadcast reminded passengers to buckle up and switch to airplane mode. Flight attendants politely requested the removal of wired earphones. Once everything was ready, the plane began to taxi down the runway. Brandy's heart slowly began to settle.

But then, as the plane rounded a bend, it stopped.

At first, she assumed it was a routine pause.

But the plane remained motionless.

"What's going on?" someone complained.

"No idea..."

"I'm on a tight schedule.."

Brandy's schedule was tighter than anyone's, but all she could do was grit her teeth and wait.

Suddenly, the first-class cabin door opened. An unprecedented event on any flight she'd taken.

Brandy looked out the window.

Five or six men in black suits, their faces grim, were climbing the boarding stairs. Her blood ran cold.

The bodyguards entered the plane and immediately spotted Brandy frozen in her seat.

They approached, "Miss Baker, please come with us."

Brandy's body trembled, pressed against the seat, her face pale and helpless as she looked at them. The other passengers, sensing the palpable tension, fell silent.

"Miss Baker, you wouldn't want us to make a scene," the bodyguard threatened.

Brandy wanted to escape, but how could she? Even the plane's departure was under their control. Jose's power was absolute.

Why... why were they here?

Why... wouldn't he let her go?

Why...

Brandy was escorted back to Silvercrest Bay by the bodyguards. Her legs gave out the moment she stepped onto the Regal Garden's steps, and she nearly fell.

Inside the hall, a dark, imposing figure sat on the sofa. Brandy's face paled, and she instinctively recoiled, only to collide with the solid wall of a bodyguard behind her.

"Lost, were you?" Jose's voice was a low, dangerous rumble.

Brandy bit her lip, fighting the tremor that ran through her body.

Of course, she wasn't lost. And she knew Jose wasn't fooled.

Jose unfolded his legs, stood, and walked towards her. His long strides were elegant, but he moved like a predator, ready to pounce. Every nerve in Brandy's body screamed. Her expression was one of pure terror.

"Seafood allergy. Hospital escape. Brandy, I underestimated your audacity," Jose said as he walked towards her.

His voice, though calm, was laced with a chilling menace.

Brandy trembled in fear as Jose's dark figure approached. She turned around and pushed the bodyguard behind her with all her might.

"Ah!" Before she could resist, a large hand clamped down on the back of her neck, causing her to cry out in pain. "N-no... it hurt..."

"Seems you still haven't learned your place!"

"Let me... let me go..." Brandy struggled to speak.

Jose's eyes were fierce as he dragged her by the neck into the elevator and up to the massive steam room on the top floor.

"Mmm..." Brandy tried to resist, but the hand was too strong, rendering her immobile.

The glass door in front of her slid open, and before she could react, she was shoved inside.

The door closed.

Trapped in the confined space, Brandy clawed at the smooth glass, her knuckles white. Her eyes, wide with terror and confusion, locked onto the terrifying figure outside.

"What... what is this? Why lock me here?"

"What do you think I'm going to do?"

Brandy looked at him in disbelief. "Wh-what? No, this isn't real, you're just trying to scare me, right? This isn't happening!"

Jose raised his hand and pressed a button on the electronic panel next to the glass door. The temperature inside began to rise.

Brandy could feel the heat rising on her skin. Realizing what was happening, she panicked and desperately pounded on the glass door.

"Let me out! Don't do this, I will die, please... I beg you!"

Jose continued to turn up the heat, ignoring Brandy's cries.

"No, please! Let me go!" Brandy cried, kicking at the glass door, but it didn't move.

This was too cruel!

How could he treat her like that?

Brandy looked at the cruel, heartless man outside the glass, her eyes filled with helplessness and fear. She cried and begged, "Let me out! It's so hot! Jose, please let me go... help me! Help me!"

But no matter how much she screamed, no one came to help her.

Was she going to die here today?

She didn't want to, she had children...

"Mmm..." Like being trapped in a furnace, Brandy felt the unbearable heat leeching the moisture from her body. Each breath was heavy, and she felt her body losing water, making her throat dry. She gasped for air, fear consuming her, tears streaming down her face.