Chapter 12

"Who the hell are you guys?" Gloria demanded, trying to keep her voice steady as she stepped in front of Elodie.

Her instincts had been spot on. These guys were definitely after her, and it was clear they meant trouble.

The men didn't bother answering. They just gave her a once-over. "Is it you? Grab her!"

Before Gloria could react, two burly men lunged forward, pinning her arms behind her back.

She struggled, but it was no use. They started dragging her toward the back alley.

"Gloria!" Elodie shouted, her voice filled with panic.

Gloria wanted to reassure her, but it was too late.

"Watch her, and make sure she doesn't die," the leader barked at his men.

Elodie's desperate cries echoed behind them.

Gloria pleaded, "I'm the one you want. Let her go. I just met her a few days ago."

She had already dragged too many people into her mess; she couldn't let Elodie get caught up in it too.

The man sneered, "You should worry more about yourself!"

As they approached the dark alley, a chill ran down Gloria's spine. She could almost predict what was coming.

"Help!" Gloria screamed, her voice echoing off the walls.

A man clamped a hand over her mouth. "If you don't want to die, you'd better behave! Otherwise, don't blame us for what happens next!" he threatened.

Gloria's eyes widened in terror, and she shook her head frantically. No, she had too much to do. She couldn't die here!

At the corner, the man kicked her hard in the stomach. Gloria flew sideways, her back slamming into the wall before she crumpled to the ground.

She couldn't even make a sound, feeling like her insides were being shattered. As she hit the ground, her cheek scraped against the sharp stones, but she didn't even feel it.

Gloria lay there, gasping for breath. A heavy boot pressed down on her back. The man ground his heel into her, speaking coldly. "Don't blame us. We're just doing our job. Blame yourself for crossing the wrong people, got it?"

With that, he lifted his foot and stomped down again. Gloria let out a pained groan, completely drained of strength.

The men didn't let up, their blows becoming more brutal. The streetlights cast a faint glow at the alley's entrance, but it stopped short, as if something invisible was blocking it.

Gloria reached out, hoping to get closer to the light, thinking it might increase her chances of being saved. Her fingers inched forward, but each time, the men yanked her back.

Finally, Gloria gave up, turning her head for one last look at the light outside. By the roadside, a familiar Bentley was parked quietly.

Gloria connected the dots from what the men had said earlier and realized it was Sebastian..

Why? Why was he doing this to her?

Overwhelmed by doubt, Gloria slowly closed her eyes and lost consciousness.

"She's not moving. Did she die?" one of the men noticed her lack of resistance and quickly stopped.

The leader frowned, crouching down to check Gloria's breath.

"She's not dead. Still breathing," the leader said, kicking Gloria with disdain. "Bad luck for her. The bar got shut down suddenly, and the boss decided to pin it on a woman. Looking at her, she's barely hanging on. We can report back now."

The group left Gloria behind, walking away as if nothing had happened.

Outside the bar, Sebastian sat in his car, his face hidden in the shadows, staring out the window.

"Mr. Windsor," Lucas said as he got into the front seat, glancing at Sebastian through the rearview mirror with respect. "I asked around. No one saw Ms. Russell nearby. She must have heard about the bar closing and didn't come tonight."

Sebastian nodded slightly, his gaze drifting to the alley behind the bar. For a moment, he felt like someone was watching him.

"Ms. Jones is still waiting for you. Should we go now?" Lucas asked.

Sebastian looked away from the window. "Yeah, let's go."

Tonight was the Windsor family's monthly gathering. Even though Sebastian didn't enjoy these events, he had to attend.

The Bentley merged into the traffic under the moonlight.

In the dark alley, Gloria lay discarded like trash in a shadowy corner.

The next day, warm sunlight bathed her.

Gloria slowly opened her eyes, the pain bringing her back to reality. She looked around, disoriented.

Was she still alive?

Gloria tried to move her fingers, pinching herself hard. She hit a bruised spot, and the pain made her cry out.

The next second, tears of relief streamed down her face.

She was alive. She hadn't died.

She still had time to find her family and clear the Russell name.

After a while, Gloria managed to stand up, leaning against the wall, and walked toward the sunlight. Each step sent waves of pain through her stomach, making it hard to breathe.

Based on past injuries, she guessed she had some internal damage. She needed to get to a hospital quickly.

But she had no money, and she looked a mess.

Gloria gritted her teeth and slowly made her way toward her dorm. The bar was shut down; she didn't know if she could still stay in the dorm. Even if she couldn't, she needed to get her money from there. It was all she had left.

"Latest update on the QL Bar's criminal case. Majestic City's youngest chief judge, Sebastian, will preside over the trial this Wednesday. Stay tuned." Passing a mall, she heard the news broadcast.

Gloria's fingers tightened against the wall, memories of last night flooding back.

Those men said she had crossed the wrong person. And Sebastian's car, why was it at the bar at that exact moment? Even the bar's closure was linked to him.

"You won't have this chance for long." Sebastian's words from that day echoed in her mind.

Gloria bit her lip, eyes filled with bitterness.

Who else but Sebastian would do this?

Did he hate her that much?

Three years ago, he refused to let her explain. Three years later, after all her suffering, Sebastian still wouldn't let her go.

She had already given in. Why did Sebastian still want to destroy her, even dragging her family into it?