48
“What are you doing?”
Andrew’s voice sliced through the air as he entered the room. Diane flinched, then quickly concealed the butterfly knife and rushed to him, wrapping herself around his arm with practiced sweetness.”
“Andrew,” she said softly, “Geneva was talking nonsense again. She said that once she marries into the Weber Family, she’s going to kick me out.”
It was a careless lie–but one that Andrew didn’t question. His face twisted with rage. The next second, he kicked me to the ground.” I fell, landing hard on my knees. I lowered my head without protest.
“Did you forget what I told you last night?” His tone was ice. “Without Diane, do you really think you could still be by my side? If your eyes didn’t look like hers, do you think I would’ve taken you back ten years ago?“}
Even after everything, those words still hurt. For years, I believed the light that pulled me from despair came from him–but I was only a reflection of someone else. An echo. A placeholder.}
With a wave of his hand, the bodyguards entered and dragged me out.”
“Five years in the mental ward, and you’ve already forgotten the rules of the Weber Family?“}
Those words sent a deeper chill through me than the winter air. The Weber Family wasn’t just powerful–they were brutal, bound by strict, merciless codes. I remembered vividly the banquet five years ago, where a false accusation nearly cost me my life. Now, with Diane in control, I wouldn’t get out alive this time.
They dragged me into the main hall, forcing me to kneel in front of the crowd. A bodyguard loomed behind me, gripping a heavy wooden club.
The Weber Family gathered like spectators.}
“She’s getting beaten again!“}
“She had it coming. Always defying Diane. Wonder if she’ll still have legs after this?“}
I said nothing. I stared at the stick in the bodyguard’s hand. My marriage certificate hadn’t been issued yet. If I acted now, no matter what revenge I took, I’d land in prison.
But if I didn’t… i might not survive.}
The first blow came down hard against my side. Pain exploded through me, and I collapsed.
“Tie her up. If she struggles, break her hands.“>
Cold iron shackles clamped around my wrists and ankles. I lay crumpled on the ground as the beatings continued, each strike digging deeper into flesh and memory. In that storm of agony, my mind began to fracture,
The madness was back.}
I remembered that night in the asylum–when a dozen inmates pinned me down, treated me like nothing. That night, something inside me died. My body bled, and my mind broke. The next morning, the room was soaked in blood. They took me to the ICU. Electroshock followed. After that, I was no longer human.
Now, that same voice echoed again.”
Kill them. Kill them all.”
The club came down again–but this time, I grabbed it mid–swing.}
The bodyguard yanked, but it didn’t move.”
Gasps rose around me.
I quickly let go and dropped my hand. The guard stumbled back, unnerved.
“What’s going on?” Andrew frowned. “No strength? Haven’t eaten?“>
The bodyguard wiped his forehead, confused, then raised the stick again.”
Just as he swung-
The doors burst open with a bang. A voice rang out from the entrance.
“So lively in here.“%
Everyone turned.
A man dressed in black stood at the doorway, a blood–soaked figure lying at his feet. It was the Weber Family’s undercover man- half–dead and barely breathing.”
Black leather shoes stopped in front of me.”
I looked up–and froze.
Marco Weber.
He looked down at me, lips curling into a faint smile. “Why so pitiful, sister?“}
He used to be just a boy, a nameless wanderer. I gave him the name Marco–after mine. The last time I saw him was five years ago. He had begged me to leave with him. But I stayed for Andrew, foolishly believing he’d change. Marco had walked away in anger. And I… I was sent to the asylum.
Looking at him now, I barely recognized him.%
Former Then Took
for Her
1/2 16.7%
12:16 PM
Looking at him now, I barely recognized him.
The streetwise boy was gone. In his place stood a man who ruled Chicago.
I gave him a hollow smile. “Long time no see…“}
But inside, I felt nothing. I was no longer his sister. I was a monster created by pain.
Marco’s eyes flickered as he took in my injuries. Around us, the Weber Family readied their weapons. Andrew stepped forward, gesturing for them to part. He walked to Marco, his expression cold.
“Mr. Weber,” he said evenly, “this is the Weber Family’s estate. Don’t you think it’s rude to break in without notice?“}
Diane gasped behind him. “That’s Marco? The one who took over Chicago in five years?”
Marco ignored her. He kicked the bleeding body at his feet. “I’m just returning your garbage. Honestly, the Weber Family should stop wasting resources on this kind of trash.”
Then he looked around.
“Five years ago, when your Miss Geneva was still here, the Weber Family was unbeatable. Look at you now–weak, crumbling.“}
All eyes turned to me again.
I saw it in their faces–realization. Regret. They all knew how much I had done: the contracts I secured, the alliances I negotiated, the victories I won with nothing but charm, wit, and loyalty.
But Andrew only remembered how obedient I was.
“She’s just a dog,” Diane said sharply. “Everything she had came from clinging to Mr. Weber. I’m the real core of the Weber Family. Without the Knight family, would your jewelry empire even exist?“}
Marco’s eyes narrowed. A cruel smile spread across his face.
“Don’t worry,” he said softly. “The Knight family won’t exist for much longer.“}
Diane blanched. “What… what do you mean? You’re going after my family?”
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