Chapter 3

Because of my violent struggles, the man holding me down became impatient and slapped me hard.

"Stop squirming, you little slut! Can't you see the boss is talking?"

The slap made me nauseous, and combined with the stench of sweat permeating the warehouse, I couldn't stop dry heaving.

This angered the man even more. He shouted, "Fucking bitch!" and punched me hard in the stomach.

Now I couldn't even dry heave. Pain radiated from my stomach throughout my body. Cold sweat broke out on my face, and my whole body shook uncontrollably.

The man grabbed my hair and slapped me across the face several times before Spike finally "noticed" and called him off.

"Butch, what the hell are you doing? Forgot Boss Zhang's teachings? We're 'civilized people' here, not thugs like before."

"And who said you could hit her face? If we can't make money off her later, are you going to take her place?"

The man called Butch reluctantly stopped hitting me and threw me onto a chair, tying me up.

When the gag was removed from my mouth, it was already soaked with my blood.

Drip, drip...

I stared blankly at the small pool of red forming on the floor, the pain from various parts of my body leaving me unable to think.

Jack, standing to the side, narrowed his eyes slightly before pouring a glass of wine for Spike with a fawning smile:

"Boss Spike, now that our deal is settled, Chloe and I will take our leave. We won't disturb your fun any longer. Please, carry on..."

Spike took the wine with an enigmatic smile. Just as Jack and the woman were about to leave the warehouse, he said casually:

"Who said you could leave?"

Almost as soon as Spike's voice fell, a group of men rushed over to restrain Jack and the woman.

Jack looked at Spike in shock and dismay:

"Boss Spike, what's the meaning of this?!"

"What's the meaning of this?"

Spike drained his glass of wine and fixed Jack with a fierce glare:

"Jackie boy, did you really think you could play games with me right under my nose and not face the consequences?"

"Take him next door."

Jack's eyes widened in shock and anger. He shouted furiously:

"Spike! When did I ever play games with you? I came to you in good faith to discuss a partnership. I even risked exposure by going back to the States to find merchandise for you. Is this how you repay me? Let go of me, you bastards!"

"Spike, no matter what, we're on the same level! Don't think you can step over me just because you've spent a few more years with Boss Zhang. I want to see Boss Zhang! I demand to see Boss Zhang!"

Then Jack was gagged and pushed out of the room. The woman standing next to him had already been dragged out by the impatient men at the very beginning.

Now in the dim warehouse, it was just me and a room full of menacing-looking men.

Seeing this, my previously dazed eyes suddenly came back into focus.

If they could turn on Jack, one of their "own people", so easily, what hope did I have as mere "merchandise"?

My heart sank to the depths of despair, and I resigned myself to the worst.

My gaze swept across the faces of everyone in the room, determined to remember each one clearly. If I ever had the chance to escape, I would make sure they all ended up behind bars!

But just then, I saw the previously arrogant Spike suddenly stand up and call out "Brother Leo" to someone at the door, a wide smile on his face.

Following the respectful gazes of the others, I saw a well-dressed man slowly walk in through the bright doorway.

Wait... isn't that Leo, my uncle's driver?

My eyes widened slightly as I stared at the man now standing in front of Spike, listening to his report with a cold expression.

Yes, yes! Even though it had been six or seven years since I last saw him, I couldn't be mistaken. That man was definitely Leo.

I had thought earlier that the layout of this warehouse seemed familiar, like I'd been here before.

Now, seeing a familiar face, it hit me - this was my uncle's factory abroad!

I had come to this city on my graduation trip.

At the time, my mom had specially called my uncle, asking him to show me around while I was abroad.

My uncle always listened to my mom, so I naturally stayed at his house.

But my uncle was incredibly busy, so he only took me on a tour of the factory on the first day. After that, he assigned me a driver to take me around.

And that driver was Leo!

Realizing this, a spark of hope suddenly ignited in my heart.

If I could recognize Leo, surely he would recognize me too!