Passport to Peril

"You'd better get changed and come out here for training if you don't want to die," a man snarled.

I was roused from my unconscious state with a splitting headache. The buff men standing before me burst into raucous laughter when they saw how dazed I was.

"Another one who's scared out of her wits, huh? Don't even think about escaping. Death is the only escape here for women who don't follow orders!" someone snapped.

Had I been abducted? Were they human traffickers? I had to think of a way to escape!

I swallowed, my body tense. I bent down, pretending to pick up the clothes on the floor. Then, I grabbed a steel bar nearby and whacked the leader's head when the men weren't paying attention!

He was caught off guard, so I got him in one blow. He fell to the floor. His men were startled and lunged at him, wanting to check on him.

I immediately turned and ran to the door, tugging on the doorknob. Only then did I realize that it was locked!

I panicked and kicked it as hard as I could. When I saw it loosening, I continued in a frenzy.

At that moment, intense pain shot through me from my scalp. Then, the world spun around me. Someone threw me onto the floor before I even realized what was happening.

A leather shoe connected with my head. This was followed by countless punches and kicks. I hurt everywhere, and I cried out in pain as I tried to shield my head.

Amid the chaos, I heard someone bark, "We at Elder Corporation have countless ways to deal with defiant women like you. You're dead meat for daring to attack Ray!"

I felt like I'd been struck by lightning. I was so stunned that I forgot to fight back.

Elder Corporation?

My name was Noelle Grant, and my fiancé was Lysander Quill. He had a company abroad called Elder Corporation!

Had I somehow ended up there after being abducted?

I mustered all my strength and cried, "Stop! Is your boss' name Lysander Quill? I'm his fiancée—I want to see him!"

Lysander was stoic and kept his distance from everyone, but he loved me deeply. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was enchanted by me.

I was pregnant with his child—he would lose his mind if he were to see me like this.

The men's expressions shifted at my words, and they hurriedly stopped their attacks.

"We might be based abroad, but even we've heard about Mr. Quill doting endlessly on his fiancée. Why don't you tell us what's your name?" someone asked.

I was in so much pain that I couldn't stand. I remained sprawled on the floor as I forced out, "I'm Noelle Grant. Your company's name is a combination of my and Lysander's names. You can check my passport and identification if you don't believe me. I have proof!"

The men exchanged looks. The leader, Ray, glared at me as he clutched his injured head. "Your passport and identification have already been destroyed. I'll get your phone now—you'd better not be lying, or I'll feed you to the sharks!"

I nodded hastily and allowed them to drag me to another room to wait. Shortly after, Ray returned with a bunch of cell phones. He threw them onto the desk before me. "Which one is yours? Get it."

I looked at each of the phones. Then, my heart sank. "Mine isn't here. Are you sure all the phones you confiscated are here?"

Ray looked at me icily. Then, he sneered and reached across the desk to slap me so hard that I fell to the floor. "And here I thought you knew what you were doing. You're just a fool who's heard about our boss' love story, aren't you?

"Do you think you can fool me with such a stupid trick? Call me useless if I don't kill you today!"

He was ruthless and brutal as he attacked me, wanting to get revenge for my earlier assault. He punched me, and my left eye instantly couldn't see anything.

I howled in pain, feeling beyond confused. I'd heard about these illegal organizations having strict procedures. Why had my phone disappeared?

More importantly, I knew Lysander had always run a clean business and treated people scrupulously. How could he have suddenly become the ringleader of an overseas illegal organization like this?