2/2
19.0%
5%
Marco didn’t answer Andrew. Instead, he turned to me, his expression unreadable.
“If she’s just a dog,” he said quietly, “then I’d like to take her back. Do you have any objections?“}
Andrew, who had remained silent until now, stiffened. “She’s my fiancée.”
“Your fiancée?” Marco repeated, voice cool.
“Yes,” Andrew said, meeting his gaze. “Your sister has always wanted to be my woman. I brought her back this time to fulfill her wish. As long as she donates her eyes, I’ll marry her.”
“Her eyes?” Marco’s tone darkened. He turned to me, voice low. “This was your condition? Trading your eyes for a spot at his side?“} I didn’t speak.
But my silence said enough.S
Marco’s smile was sharp and bitter. “After five years, you’re still this stubborn.“>
He shook his head, disappointment flashing across his face. “I really looked up to you, Sister.”
Then he turned away, as if he’d seen all he needed. I could feel him giving up on me.§
“I’ll be leaving Chicago soon. Take care of yourself.“}
With that, he walked out. His men followed without a word. Through the open doors, I saw a petite figure rushing after him. I remembered her–his little follower from years ago. Now, she stood tall beside him, his most trusted aide.}
A quiet sigh rose in my chest. People like Marco rise. Monsters like me? We’re better left behind.}
When my revenge is complete–on the day of the wedding–I won’t drag Marco into it.§
After Marco’s intrusion, the Weber Family tightened security. No one could enter or leave without facial recognition or biometric clearance. I didn’t have either. I was locked out of their system.
But I needed to get to the hospital personally to retrieve my mental illness certificate. Andrew couldn’t be bothered with such “trivial” things.
Since Marco’s visit, Andrew had grown colder, like he couldn’t bear the sight of me. He locked me in the basement to await surgery. There was no light, only cold concrete and rotting food. Moldy steamed buns were tossed in from the door like scraps for an animal.
They didn’t stop there.
Sometimes they released rats and bedbugs into the room. Other times, someone would dress as a ghost and scream outside the door at night. All their twisted games aimed to break what little was left of me.§
Then one day, I woke up to the sound of footsteps.
Andrew stood before me, looking down with the same disdainful gaze as always.
“Get up,” he said. “I need you.“}
When I stepped out, I glanced at the calendar. I’d been unconscious for three days. The operation was only three days away.
But something felt wrong. Why now?”
That bad feeling gnawed at me as they dragged me to the backyard.
There, in the courtyard, a gun was pointed at Diane’s head. A group of armed thugs stood surrounding her. Their leader sneered.
“You want to trade hostages?” he said.§
“Use her,” Andrew replied, “I’ll pick her up in three days.”}
“Use just any woman?” the leader scoffed. “I want someone important to the Weber Family.“}
For the first time, Andrew acknowledged me without mockery.
“She’s my fiancée. Is that important enough?“>
The man looked me over, surprised. After a pause, he nodded and shoved Diane forward. Andrew caught her instantly.
“Andrew, I was so scared…” she whimpered, clinging to him.”
“Don’t be afraid, Diane,” he whispered. “I’ll protect you at any cost.”
Then he turned to me without hesitation–and pushed me toward the men.
I was immediately restrained, my wrists bound tightly. As they hauled me toward their vehicle, their leader gave me a lecherous once–over, grinning.
“I’ll give you three days,” he said to Andrew. “If you don’t deliver, I can’t promise this beauty stays untouched.“}
With that, they shoved me into the car and drove off.
Out of sight of the Weber Family, I could no longer hide my smile.
I was free.
No more pretending. No more helpless girl waiting for scraps.
As the car rumbled forward, I pieced together the truth.
The gang that captured me had taken over a portion of the Weber Family’s territory. Meanwhile, Marco was relentlessly attacking the remaining Weber assets. The Weber Family was surrounded.
These thugs had somehow acquired the property deeds and bought the land at a fraction of its value. Now, Andrew had to pay a massive
212 23.8
12:16 PM &
ransom to get it back–100 million. But he didn’t have the funds.}
The mighty Weber Family’s capital chain had finally broken.
When I left, the Weber Family stood tall. Now it was cracking. The only variable?}
Diane.
From the gang’s chatter, I learned that Diane hadn’t returned to America to help Andrew. She had been siphoning resources to benefit her
own family from the start. She was the one who sold the property deeds to these men–at rock–bottom price.
She did all this under Andrew’s nose, and he never noticed.}
That’s how deep his blind devotion ran.}]
At this rate, I didn’t even need to lift a finger. The Weber Family would collapse within three years.} Eventually, we arrived. They blindfolded me and tied me to a chair. The black cloth was ripped off-
And I found myself staring into a familiar face.
“You?” I whispered, stunned.
2/2
