Chapter 34
I panicked, my eyes burning with anger as I shouted, “Get away!
But we were out at sea, and no matter how loud I screamed, it wouldn’t help.
Despair crept in, and then a man grabbed me by the neck, while another cut the rope on my ankle with a knife. “It’s not the first time. Stop pretending you’re some innocent girl. Just behave
The stench of them made me want to puke, but I couldn’t afford to give in. I had to fight. What was I going to do?
Just as the filthy hands reached for my pants, I kicked out, my foot connecting with his face. He screamed, blood pouring from his nose.
The man holding me froze, glancing over at the other one. He laughed, “Can you do anything right? Looks like Mr. Stanton’s three thousand dollars are mine!”
As he distracted himself, I used the chance to sit up and break free, giving everything I had. I scrambled to my feet and ran straight for the deck.
“Bitch, stop they yelled, running after me.
I kept running, my mind fixed on one thing–if I had to die, I’d rather drown in the ocean than face those assholes.
But then, Benedict popped into my head. What would happen to him if I died? Who would take care of him? I couldn’t just give up.
Owen chased me out. Seeing that I had no way out, he crossed his arms, squinting, and smirked. “Running away now? What, not so tough anymore?”
I glared at him, gritting my teeth. “You coward. The only reason you pick on women is because you’re too weak for anything else. Quinn should’ve cut your balls off when he had the chance
“Damn it, get that bitch back here!” Owen barked at his men. They flanked me, trapping me. I had no choice left. Without thinking, I spun and jumped into the sea. I’d always been a good swimmer, but this was the ocean. After dealing with Owen, I was drained. All I could do was try to keep myself from sinking. There was no strength left to swim. Owen’s men saw me right away, and they weren’t about to let me go. They launched a small boat to come after me. Before long, Owen was at my side in the boat. “You really think you’re getting away? You think you can cut my balls off? I’ll show you what it means to suffer!”
Two of his men reached out to grab me. I dove down, holding my breath and doing everything I could to avoid their grasp.
But then, my leg cramped. I gasped, and seawater filled my mouth and nose, choking me. With every cough, more water rushed in. My mind began to fade.
I thought I heard Owen yelling from the boat, “Where the hell did that bitch go?”
“Maybe she drowned?”
“Shit, this is bad. Let’s just head back.
“Mr. Stanton, there’s a speedboat coming at us!”
“Fuck, let’s go!”
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Chapter 34
ving tricks on me.
It was all a blur, and I couldn’t tell if it was my fading consciousness playing
Then, someone jumped into the water. In the haze, I saw a familiar face. Strong arms pulled me out of the sea.
The sunlight felt like a dream. I forced my eyes open and saw him–Quinn.
He had come to save me. It really was him.
My throat was raw, and as I whispered his name, I started coughing, the pain in my chest making me wince.
Quinn held me tight, his voice firm. “Get to the nearest shore, now! Contact the hospital, immediately!”
“Yes, Mr. Madden!” Finn replied, pausing a moment before asking, “What about Owen and his men?”
Quinn’s eyes turned cold. “Hand them over to the police. But before that, waste them. Make sure they can’t talk or walk.” At the hospital.
Since Quinn saved me, I’d been drifting in and out of sleep. Time felt like it was moving slowly. But every time I woke, 1 could always make out Quinn nearby.
It felt like stich a peaceful dream. He was always there, and his faint minty scent made me feel safe.
The next time I woke up, I instinctively looked around for him. But he was gone. Disappointment hit me, and just then, Finn walked in, looking relieved. “Mrs. Madden, you’re finally awake!”
I wanted to ask about Quinn, but the words caught in my throat Instead, I asked, “Where am I?”
“Sea City Hospital,” Finn replied softly.
I nodded, surprised that Owen’s ship had taken me this far.
“Mr. Madden had to go back to Enschester for something urgent Finn continued. “You’ve been out for two days. He stayed with you the whole time, only leaving last night.”
I was shocked. I didn’t know what to say.
Finn smiled briefly before switching topics. “Mrs. Madden, Owen was hired to kidnap you. Mr. Madden wants me to investigate. Do you know who hired him?”
“How do you know that?” I asked, surprised
Since Finn didn’t know who was behind it, that meant Owen hadn’t spilled anything. And I still hadn’t had a chance to tell Quinn. So how did Quinn know that Owen had been hired by someone?
Finn explained, “The ship that took you was owned by Maple Media.”
My mind went blank. “You think it’s York?” I asked, shocked.
York was the only person from Maple Media I knew. But why would he go this far? And no one would be stupid enough to use their own ship for something like this. Whoever hired Owen had used Maple Media’s ship to point the blame at York.
-Finn listened to my analysis, his expression serious. “Whoever it is, we need to find them fast.”
After I was discharged, Fitm drove me back to Enschester
The next afternoon, someone knocked on my door. I thought it was my delivery, but when I opened it and saw York, I was surprised.
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Chapter 34
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“Ms. Hinton, are you going to invite me in?” York said, holding a get–well bouquet and flashing a harmless smile.
“You seem to know everything about me. Even my parents don’t know I live here.” I stepped aside, my voice icy. “You’re here because of Owen, aren’t you?”
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