Chapter 37
Stacy’s eyes namowed, a cold glint of calculation flashing as she leaned closer, her voice soft yet perusive. “Once she gets addicted, we can control her and make her do whatever we want.”
Jason drummed his fingers on the armrest, weighing her words. His mind wandered to the massive assers Victoria, Aurora’s mom, had tucked away
ar Woodside Capital Management. If he could manipulate Aurora into handing those over, it would be far more lucrative than any business deal.
Jaxon smiled with satisfaction, appreciating Stacy’s running scheme. Turreally blessed tndhuve you. S
She was like his brain trat
Aurora was jolted awake by the stinging pain on her face. As her eyes fluttered open, she was met with the sight of Maura’s swollen, bruised face, the, malicious glee barely concealed beneath her sheet.
Aurora
ra regained consciousness.
You bitch, that’s for slapping me.” Maura snapped, delivering several more stinging slaps as
Aurora instinctively tried to retaliate, but her arms wouldn’t budge. She struggled for a moment, but the ropes binding her wrists and ankles dug deeper into her skin, snapping her fully awake. Then it hit her–she’d been kidnapped. And Maura, in contrast, was completely free, clearly relishing her helplessness
This isn’t good Aurora’s mind raced as she quickly assessed the situation. “Maura has the upper hand now.
I have to
to stay
calm and wait for the right
“Well, what’s the mater Cat got your tongue?” Maura crouched down to Aurora’s level, her eyes glinting with malice. “Or are you just too scared to speak
She rubbed her reddened palm, wincing slightly. She had hit Aurora harder than intended, and now her hand burned.
Maura had regained consciousness long before Aurora, thanks to Caleb and the cold water–soaked cloth he’d used on her. Initially, she had been terrified, but after her uncle and mother called Caleb to make sure she was safe, she was reassured that Caleb wouldn’t hurt her.
When Caleb asked if she wanted to leave, Maura almost said yes. But the lingering pain from Aurora’s carlier slap rekindled her desire for revenge compelling her to stick around and watch Aurora suffer.
Aurora, ignoring the burning sensation on her face, discreetly surveyed her surroundings.
She found herself in an abandoned warehouse, with dust–covered, rusted machinery in the corners. A single flickering light bulb dangled precariously from the rafters, casting weak, dim light across the floor. Whether due to the warehouse’s vast size or unstable rural power supply, the light only managed to illuminate part of the space, leaving much area shrouded in shadow
Maura’s lips curled into a cruel smile as she loomed over Aurora. “How the tables have turned” She gloated, her once–pretty features distorted by
malice
If only those adoring classmates at Merrida High School could see their angelic Maura now, Aurora thought. They’d be in for quite a shock
Aurora’s eyes darted around the dimly lit warehouse, catching sight of those kidnappers near the entrance, chatting and smoking It was clear they didn’t see her as much of a threat, leaving only Maura to guard her.
Noticing Aurora’s wandering gaze, Maura flew into a rage and slapped her hard across the face repeatedly. She didn’t stop her assault until Aurora’s once attractive features were marred with swelling and bruises. Yet, Aurora remained eerily silent, her gaze unwavering and resolute, a quiet storm
Maura shuddered under the weight of Aurora’s icy stare, a flicker of fear crossing her face. The memory of nearly drowning at Aurora’s hands still
But Maura quickly steeled herself, reminding herself that she was in control now. She could exact her revenge however she pleased. This tralization, however, only furled her anger, as if she felt offended by her own momentary fear of Aurora.
Grabbing a fistful of Aurora’s hair, Maura yanked hurd, forcing her to expose her throat. “How does it feel, huh! Not so fun when you’re the one getting your hair pulled, is it?” she sneered, her laughter tinged with a hint of hysteria. “I’m giving you a taste of your own medicine?
Breather calm farade, Aurora was far from idle. Around her wrist was a small, inconspicuous pendant, its designs à cuilingly crafted kasife. Whether laugh overconfidence or oversight, the kidnappers had failed to notice–or care–that it remained in place
Sitare Aurora regained comme jousness, her hands, though bound, had been diligently working in secret. With a deft touch, she maneuvered the pendant’s blade against the course ropes, her movements subale and measured, hidden beneath the lulose of Maura’s gaze. Then she cautiously sawed away at the rupes, feeling the cords loosening bat by bir
Actually, even the pendant, she would have found another way to free hersell, albeit more slowly.
1/2
11:37 AM
Chapter 37
even
“My dear sister,” Aurora said in a deceptively casual voice, buying herself time, “aren’t you putting a lot of trust in those kidnappers you never eve met? And it’s getting late. Shouldn’t you be heading home! Staying out late isn’t exactly the behavior of a proper lady, now is it?”
She shot a glance towards the entrance, committing the kidnappers‘ faces to memory.
It was pitch black outside the warehouse, with insects buzzing in the weeds. It seemed to be around eight or nine in the evening by now.
Maura let out a cold chuckle as she straightened herself up. “You’re right. It is getting late, and I should head home. I’ve got school tomorrow,” she said casually, twirling a handful of hair between her fingers, the hair she had just torn from Aurora’s scalp.
“You guys, get in here. Maura then called over her shoulder to the men outside.
shc
The three men stubbed out their cigarettes and strolled in with lazy grins. They flanked Maura like obedient henchmen, ready to do whatever si asked
“Didn’t my mom say we have something special for her?” Maura dropped the strands of hair, letting them scatter to the floor. She stared at the love strands for a moment before stomping on them with a vicious grin, savoring the symbolic act of crushing Aurora underfoot.
Caleb approached her with a small leather case. With a soft click, it opened to reveal a syringe filled with a thick, murky, suspicious–looking liquid.
Maura’s gaze bore into Aurora, who lay bound and helpless. “Do you know what this is? One shot of it, and you’ll be hooked for life.” She nudged her shoe forward, her voice dripping with venom. “But if you get on your knees and lick my shoe clean, I might just let you go. How about that?”
Maura paused, wondering how Aurora would respond. Not that it mattered–her offer was a lie. What Maura truly craved was to watch Aurora’s pride crumble, to see her grovel at her feet.
But to her surprise, Aurora didn’t react the way she imagined. Despite her bound and battered state, she met Maura’s gaze with an unsettling calm. Her eyes held not fear, but a look of detached curiosity, as if observing a mildly interesting animal at the zoo.
Rage bubbled up inside Maura. “Tine,” she snarled, turning to Caleb. “Give her the shot!”
After tonight, Aurora will be ruined forever, Maura thought
