Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Groggy and disoriented, Stella slowly pried her heavy eyelids open. Though her body felt leaden, she could faintly make out voices nearby.
Henry asked, “Are you sure her blood is usable?”
A man replied, “Absolutely. Relax, we’ve already run the tests. Her blood’s perfectly compatible”
Henry said coolly, “Good.”
The man said, “Henry, you’re truly something. Always able to find a fresh supply for your precious first love, aren’t you?”
Henry said, “Don’t blame me. Those families are just too greedy—throw some money at them and they’ll happily hand over their daughters Especially the first two girls. Although they’re dead, their families got their payoff; they won’t make a fuss.”
The man said, “This one’s different from the last two. I doubt she can survive more than a couple of blood draws.”
Henry sneered, “Draw as much blood as she can take. It’s not like I paid a fortune for her anyway. When she dies, her family won’t see another cent from
me.”
The man exclaimed, “You go all out for your precious first love, don’t you?”
Henry said, “Of course. If she hadn’t saved me back then, I wouldn’t be where I am today. No matter what it takes, I will bring her back. I’ll make sure she wakes up. We’re going to experience this world together.”
Just then, a voice called out, “Henry, is she coming to?”
Henry scoffed, “Impossible. Didn’t we increase the sedative dose? Hurry up and draw her blood. By the time she wakes up, she won’t remember a thing.”
A man exclaimed in surprise, “She seems to be waking up.”
Henry glanced over and saw that Stella’s eyes were already wide open. He reached out and waved his hand in front of her face. But she remained still.
Henry said, “She must still be out. Look, her eyes aren’t even blinking.”
All eyes turned to Stella. Seeing that she stared unblinkingly at Henry with such terrifying intensity, a cold dread settled in everyone’s heart.
Henry felt uneasy; he barked, “Draw it now.”
A doctor approached, syringe in hand, ready to draw Stella’s blood.
Just then, Stella’s eyes flickered slightly. She hadn’t moved before because her body simply wouldn’t respond. Maybe it was because of the blood draw, but now she was slowly regaining movement. She struggled to sit up.
The doctor shouted, “She’s trying to get up.”
Dozens of hands lunged at Stella, pinning her down in/unison.
Stella struggled weakly, but her body lacked the strength to break free. With the last of her strength, she forced out a hoarse shout, “Let me go. Let me go, all of you.”
Henry glanced at the doctor and asked, “How much more?”
The doctor replied, “At least two more vials.”
Henry said, “Okay.”
Stella glared daggers at Henry. Her voice shook with rage as she said, “I always knew you had ulterior motives for finding me, but to use me as a bloo
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supply for your precious first love? Henry, you’re a monster”
Henry sneered, “Consider it a privilege to be my first love’s blood supply. I’ve already paid your family. Nobody’s losing out here?
“Let me go!” Stella screamed.
Henry said coldly, “Two more vials to go.”
Stella glared at Henry and shouted, “Are you trying to kill me? Right, my life or death means nothing to you. You’ll just find another victim.
“But mark my words: your evil deeds will catch up with you, and you’ll die a wretched death for it.”
Henry slapped Stella’s cheek hard, and he snarled, “Shut your damn mouth!”
Stella still glared daggers at him. Her limbs were pinned down by multiple hands. Already drained of strength, she stood no chance against them.
Her blood was already a luxury she could ill afford; she was so depleted that she hadn’t even had her period in the past year. She always knew people in this world were cruel, but she never imagined they could be this monstrous.
Stella had no idea how much blood they’d taken. Her head spun, the room tilting around her, and she felt she could black out any second
Just then, Henry declared, “She knows too much now. We can’t let her leave. Lock her up here.”
A man asked, “What about her family?”
Henry scoffed, “Don’t bother with them. They couldn’t care less if she lives or dies. All they want is money.”
The man replied, “Got it.”
Several hands grabbed at Stella, hauling her off the bed to lock her up in this very room.
Stella could already see what was coming–locked up here, well–fed and comfortable, just a blood supply whenever they needed. She knew that it couldn’t be any better than what she had gone through in that small town.
With a sudden burst of strength from deep within, Stella violently shoved her captors away.
Everyone froze in shock.
Stella, without a second thought, bolted for the door.
Henry roared, “Catch her. Don’t let her get away, no matter what.”
Stella couldn’t outrun them. Then she suddenly remembered her phone. She snatched up her phone, about to call 911, when Jordan’s name suddenly flashed on the screen. Without a second thought, she answered immediately.
“Jordan!” Stella gasped.
Jordan asked, “Where are you?”
Stella replied, “Crescent Villa, Help me.”
Stella knew Jordan was just an online acquaintance. Though they’d built a profitable partnership, she had no idea if he’d come to her rescue. But she had no hope left.
All at once, Stella’s legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor.
Several figures closed in.
Henry bent down, picked up Stella’s phone, and gave it a quick, appraising glance. He asked, “Latest model? Who bought you this?h
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Stella glared at him with burning hatred. Her voice trembled with defiance as she said, “Henry, your sick scheme won’t work. Someone’s coming to save me, any minute now.”
Henry sneered, “Save you? Your parents couldn’t wait to dump you here. Who’d even bother coming for you? If anyone cared, you wouldn’t have had to escape that small town all by yourself last time.
“You’re not seriously expecting Eleanor to come save you, are you? From the very beginning, they’ve never told her the truth about me, nor will they so tell me, how exactly is she supposed to rescue you?”
Stella thought bitterly, ‘Right. No one’s coming to save me. This time, I have no hope.‘
Henry barked, “Haul her back and keep her under tight watch.”
One of Henry’s men stepped forward, handing him a whip. The man said, “I think you should teach her a harsh lesson, so she doesn’t even think about running again.”
Henry understood the implication. He glanced at the whip, a cold smile curling on his lips. He said, “Good idea. She’s far too defiant. It’s time she got some proper discipline.”
The whip cracked across Stella’s skin, inflicting the same searing pain she’d felt the last time Andrew had lashed her with his belt.
She thought, ‘They say everyone born into this world must go through all kinds of suffering. But isn’t life being far too unfair to me? What on earth did! do in a previous life to deserve all this?
‘If I’d known things would turn out like this, maybe I should’ve just died back in that small town. Wouldn’t that have spared me all this torment?”
Each lash burned into her skin, instantly dragging Stella back to those brutal beatings she endured whenever she disobeyed after first being sold off to Middle–South Yaria.
She didn’t dare fight back. She knew resistance was futile. Still, she had to look for a chance to escape. She thought, ‘Would Jordan even risk coming for me? Probably not.
‘What connection do we even have that would make him risk coming to save me?‘
Deeming the punishment sufficient, Henry passed the whip to a subordinate, He ordered, “Lock her up. Make sure she doesn’t escape. And no food unless I say yes.”
