Chapter One Hundred-Seventy One

The atmosphere was charged with a mixture of dread and desperate hope, a battle of wills playing out in the room.

The men appeared, one of them carrying Sophie on his shoulder as she squirmed and cried. Karina called out desperately, "Sophie! Sophie!"

Anita's expression turned concerned as she watched the scene unfold, her eyes flickering between Karina and Sophie. “I’m doing you the honors because I’m a mother too. Use this moment well and say goodbye properly to your daughter.”

She signaled to the man, who dropped Sophie down and the other went and untied Karina. The little girl ran to Karina, her face tear-streaked and trembling.

“Mommy, I missed you,” Sophie cried, trembling.

Karina managed a smile through her tears, cuddling her daughter tightly.

“Don’t worry, darling. I’m here. Nothing will happen to you.” She scanned Sophie’s face, then shot an angry look at Anita. “Why does my daughter look like this? What have you been doing to her?!”

Anita shrugged nonchalantly. “Just keep