Chapter 1

I crawled desperately toward the entrance. The moment Lucy closed and locked the door, my fingers were caught violently between the metal door and door frame.

The sharp crack of breaking bones rang throughout the room.

On top of that, the pain from my ruptured organs made me scream. But Lucy did not hear me at all.

At that moment, I felt something churning violently inside me. It felt as if my internal organs were slowly sinking downward.

Fear overwhelmed me, but I forced myself to calm down. Then, I took out my phone to call for help.

To my horror, Lucy had actually removed my SIM card!

The churning within my intestines and the crushing pain in my bones made me feel as though I had descended into hell.

I could not tell whether the liquid soaking my entire body was sweat or blood. I could even feel the ice crystals forming from the warm liquid.

With every bit of strength I had, I shouted. Even if there was only a glimmer of hope, I refused to give up.

Finally, I heard footsteps outside the door.

“Please save me! I was hit by a car and locked inside this cold storage room. I’m dying!”

I kept repeating those words. Just when I thought I was finally about to be rescued, the person spoke. “Larry, you finally got what’s coming to you. Lucy should’ve taught you a lesson a long time ago!”

It was Lucy’s younger brother, Frank Hathaway.

I squeezed my eyes shut and tried my best to keep my voice clear.

“Frank, get me out first. I was hit really badly, and I can’t wait for treatment any longer!”

Frank became furious out of nowhere. He kicked the door hard, and his voice was filled with hostility.

“If you get out, you’ll interfere with Alan’s surgery and make him lose his eyesight for good. Then, you’ll keep him from applying to that foreign institution, won’t you?!

“Lucy is worried something might happen today, so she sent me here to keep an eye on you.

“Larry, stop making things difficult for Lucy. She’s already very busy, but you’re still trying to cause her more trouble.”

Something inside my abdomen seemed to rupture inexplicably. I cried out in pain before I gasped for breath and assured him, “I swear I won’t stop Alan from having surgery. Just explain the situation to Lucy and let me out.

“I promise I’ll never show myself in front of your family again.”

Hearing me cry out, Frank looked utterly annoyed. He frowned and told me off, “What’s wrong with you? You’re a grown man. Why are you screaming like that? Who the hell are you shouting for? Stop being despicable!”