7

*Lotus Pov*

I gathered all the strength I had left and slapped him hard across the face. As soon as I did, the atmosphere in the room changed. Seth's men tensed up, ready to attack me, but Seth raised his hand, signaling them to stop. He looked at me with a mixture of surprise and anger in his eyes.

"You dare to strike me?" he growled.

I didn't flinch. "You deserve much worse than that," I replied.

Seth's face twisted with rage, and he raised his hand as if to hit me back. But then he hesitated, as if something had caught his attention. He looked at me more closely, as if seeing me for the first time.

"You have spirit," he said slowly. "I like that. But you're still mine. And you will do as I say.

I knew I was in a dangerous situation, but I refused to give up. I knew I had to keep fighting, no matter the cost.

"I will never be yours," I said defiantly. "I'd rather die than be your slave."

Seth chuckled, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "We'll see about that," he said, as he signale