Chapter 5
Tears clouded my vision as I staggered backward, desperate to escape the agony of the scene before me. The screech of a chair being pushed back jolted Kate awake. Her bloodshot eyes locked onto me, burning with fury. “Mike,” she spat, her voice trembling with rage, “if you’re going to be so heartless, then don’t blame me for being cruel in return.” She turned sharply to the two bodyguards rushing in behind her. “Drag him inside. You’re dismissed afterward.” The bodyguards exchanged uneasy glances, frozen in place. Kate’s face twisted in fury. With a sharp kick, she sent a chair clattering across the room. “What are you waiting for? Do you want to lose your jobs?” Still hesitant, one of them stepped forward and spoke cautiously, “Ms. Gru… we can’t disrespect the gentleman. And besides—” “What gentleman?” Kate snapped coldly, cutting him off. Her voice was ice. “From now on, your master is Andrew. Got that?” “If you can’t figure out who’s in charge, then get out—now.” Faced with her wrath, the two men moved swiftly. They grabbed me by the arms and began dragging me into the room. I kicked and screamed, fury and fear mixing in my chest. “Kate, you bastard! Make them let me go! It wasn’t me!” Her cold voice followed behind me, echoing through the hallway like a curse. “Only with a tainted reputation will you finally stop looking down on Andrew—and learn your place.” The door slammed shut. Through the narrow crack, I caught one last glimpse of Kate holding Andrew in her arms as they walked out of the villa—completely unbothered, leaving me behind like garbage. Panic surged through me. “Henry! Billy! Kate has lost her mind—don’t be stupid!” But the two men who had once shown caution now wore sinister smiles. “Apologies, sir,” one of them said smoothly. “But someone paid a generous price for us to take care of you.” With that, they lunged. Their rough hands grabbed at my clothes, tearing fabric as I thrashed and kicked, trying to crawl away. A heavy fist smashed against the side of my head. Stars exploded in my vision and I crumpled to the floor, dazed and helpless. “Brother,” Billy hesitated, “what if Ms. Gruman changes his mind later? Will this come back to bite us?” “You idiot,” Henry sneered. “The boss listens to Andrew now. If something happens, Andrew just needs to cry a little, pout a bit and Ms. Gruman will do whatever he says.” “We hit the jackpot tonight,” he added, chuckling darkly. “Ms. Gruman, once so high and mighty—now he’ll be the one begging us.” He gave my leg a hard pinch and I jolted awake, pain tearing through me. I tried to fight back, but they pinned my arms down, their filthy hands groping and grabbing. “I can’t hold back anymore,” Henry muttered, panting. Then he bit down hard on my shoulder. I screamed, lashing out with my legs in desperation. A slap cracked across my face. Another followed, near my ear. My head rang, my limbs turned to jelly and I lay limp on the floor, tears streaming down as shame and helplessness overwhelmed me. “Billy, take a picture.” “Why me?” he asked nervously. “Shut up. You want that house or not?” As they bickered, I gathered the last of my strength, biting down on my tongue, trying to aim a kick toward Henry’s groin. Just then—the door burst open. “Stop!”