Shawn paused for a moment, then frowned, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and a touch of helplessness. "Ah, I forgot you can't handle spice." He leaned over the table, propping his elbow on it, and looked down at Dean, his gaze sharp. After a brief silence, he sighed and muttered, "Couldn't you have just told me you can't eat this?"Dean pressed a hand to his throat, struggling to calm the coughing fit. He lifted his gaze, his eyes carrying a trace of exhaustion, but his voice remained soft and distant. "It's fine," he murmured.Shawn shot him a sharp look, clearly dissatisfied with Dean's dismissive response but chose not to press the issue further. He slid his untouched bowl of white porridge in front of Dean, his tone firm. "Eat mine, I haven't touched it yet." Without waiting for a reply, he took Dean's bowl, placing it in front of himself.Dean glanced at the bowl of porridge, hesitating for a brief moment before picking up the spoon and scooping up a mouthful. The warm
The sky was overcast, with gray clouds hanging low, as if adding a somber weight to this sorrowful day. A fine mist of rain fell gently, blurring the distant outlines of the mountains and settling upon the newly laid grass. The funeral procession stood quietly around the grave, each face etched with grief. Black umbrellas bloomed like a sea of darkness beneath the drizzling rain. The coffin was slowly lowered into the earth, and those dressed in somber black bowed their heads in silent prayer.The officiant's voice was soft and mournful, resonating in the stillness of the cemetery as he spoke of Noah Leslie's brief but illustrious life. His name had once been a legend in the business world, a self-made man who built a vast empire from the ground up. Yet today, the man who had once stood invincible now lay quietly in the coffin, a mere part of the past.Noah’s spirit stood silently to the side, watching it all unfold. He saw his wife, Kate Leslie, overcome with grief, her eyes swollen
He struggled, reaching out, desperate to hold onto something—anything—but his hands grasped only air, futilely waving in the emptiness. A cold, creeping chill began to crawl up his spine, sending shivers of dread through his body. His consciousness grew foggy, as though a thick mist was slowly clouding his thoughts, making it harder and harder to focus. The only sensation that remained sharp was a deep, gnawing fear, as if an endless abyss was drawing near, a chasm with no way out.As the darkness spread around him, Noah felt his mind begin to unravel. His limbs grew heavy, as though weighed down by invisible chains, his body sinking into an endless mire where movement was impossible. He could feel the crushing force of something far greater than himself, a relentless tide pushing him toward an unknown, bottomless void. Fear gripped him like a serpent, coiling tighter with every passing second, deepening his sense of helpless despair.Just as his consciousness seemed to slip into the
Noah began to outline the things he needed to learn and understand: Dean’s job responsibilities, the workings of the law firm, the background of his colleagues and superiors. He also jotted down personal matters to address, like managing relationships with family and friends and finding a balance between work and life. When he finished, he felt a slight sense of calm. Closing the notebook, he picked up his coffee and savored it slowly. The bittersweet flavor grounded him, a tangible reminder that this was no dream but a new reality he had to face head-on. Returning to the apartment, Noah once again examined Dean’s records, repeatedly reviewing his educational background, work experience, and social connections. He discovered that Dean was incredibly disciplined and hardworking, excelling academically throughout his life. In university, Dean had earned multiple scholarships and honors, and his involvement in legal projects had already given him a foothold in the field. Despite his yo
“Leroy Tam, 28 years old, heir to the family business. He’s led a life of luxury since childhood, and his personality is... flamboyant, to say the least. While he has some significant business talent, it’s made him somewhat arrogant. To him, business ethics and the law are often things he can overlook.” As Dean listened to Linda’s introduction, an impression of Leroy Tam gradually began to take shape in his mind. He had already sensed that Leroy was more than just a wealthy playboy—he was a deeply self-centered individual when it came to handling problems. Linda continued, “He’s incredibly selfish, and he often lacks genuine concern for his employees and business partners. Especially in this case, considering how he dared to use questionable, even illegal methods to provoke the mafia—you can imagine just how difficult he must be to deal with.”Dean’s heart gave a slight jolt, and he gained a clearer understanding of Leroy’s character. He began to worry that such a person might create
Dean was trapped in the corner, his stomach churning at the words coming from Leroy Tam. He forced himself to stay calm, resisting the wave of disgust threatening to overwhelm him. Trying to turn his body slightly, he sought to distance himself from Leroy Tam’s unnerving proximity. "Mr. Tam," he said with forced composure, "Please show some respect. I’m not interested in discussing anything else right now. If you’d like to continue the conversation about the case, I can inform Linda, and we can return to the client meeting room."But Leroy Tam had no intention of backing down. His hand reached for Dean’s waist, fingers grazing lightly, intent on brushing across his back. Even as Dean tried to evade the touch, Leroy Tam didn’t pull away—instead, he grew bolder, his fingers skimming over Dean’s sides, each movement more unsettling than the last. Dean felt revulsion rising within him but fought to suppress his emotions, striving to stay composed."You really are the type who can only att
Dean's heart sank. He knew that this was no longer just a personal attack—it was a direct threat to his entire career.Linda continued, her tone somber yet resolute. "The stance from the higher-ups is clear: they’re unwilling to pay any compensation. That means if Leroy Tam insists on his demands, we could be facing an even bigger predicament."Dean felt the weight of the situation press down on him. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He understood the gravity of being forced to resign—it would not only tarnish his reputation but could severely hinder his future career prospects in the legal world.Linda noticed the worry in Dean’s eyes and, with a quiet determination, said, "I believe in you, Dean. I know you didn’t fabricate any evidence. You’re an honest and dedicated lawyer. Our task now is to find a way to prove that Leroy Tam's accusations are baseless."Dean’s eyes briefly softened with gratitude. He quietly replied, "Thank you, Linda. I know you’ve done so much f
Damon took a slow sip from his wine, completely unfazed. His posture was relaxed, but there was an underlying tension in the way he held himself. He looked at Dean with a sharp intensity. "If you refuse my offer, then what's in it for me to help you?" His gaze pierced through Dean, exuding an almost predatory confidence. It was as if he had anticipated this very moment, already knowing the exact response he would get. His words hung in the air like a challenge, unspoken yet clearly present: You want my help? Then pay the price. Dean gritted his teeth, feeling vaguely uneasy in his mind, but calmly asked, “What do you want?” He didn't like Damon's ambiguous attitude, yet he knew he had no choice at this moment. The prerequisite for going toe-to-toe with Leroy Tam was that he had to get Damon on his side. Damon revealed a wry smile, his eyes gradually becoming dangerous and ambiguous. He whispered, “Sleep with you.” These three words just slipped out so easily, without a care in the
Shawn paused for a moment, then frowned, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and a touch of helplessness. "Ah, I forgot you can't handle spice." He leaned over the table, propping his elbow on it, and looked down at Dean, his gaze sharp. After a brief silence, he sighed and muttered, "Couldn't you have just told me you can't eat this?"Dean pressed a hand to his throat, struggling to calm the coughing fit. He lifted his gaze, his eyes carrying a trace of exhaustion, but his voice remained soft and distant. "It's fine," he murmured.Shawn shot him a sharp look, clearly dissatisfied with Dean's dismissive response but chose not to press the issue further. He slid his untouched bowl of white porridge in front of Dean, his tone firm. "Eat mine, I haven't touched it yet." Without waiting for a reply, he took Dean's bowl, placing it in front of himself.Dean glanced at the bowl of porridge, hesitating for a brief moment before picking up the spoon and scooping up a mouthful. The warm
Shawn stood frozen, his gaze dark and fixed on the scene before him. His fists clenched, knuckles turning white as if he were struggling to control some rising emotion. Finally, he stormed forward, crouching and roughly grabbing Dean’s chin, forcing his head up. His voice was cold and biting. "Is it really that hard?"Dean was caught off guard, and the force on his face made him wince in pain. His throat felt as if it might tear apart, and now Shawn's grip on his chin forced him to tilt his head back, aggravating the wounds on his neck. Even the bite marks on his shoulders seemed to intensify in pain, the tension in his muscles worsening it all. He gritted his teeth, but couldn't stop himself from taking a sharp breath, his eyes stinging and reddening, tears quietly slipping down his face."Are you complaining because you're picky? And even crying now?" Shawn looked down at Dean, his voice devoid of any sympathy, laced instead with a hint of mockery. He pressed his thumb hard against
The doctor hesitated for a moment before responding, "Psychotherapy is the most effective method. Through gradual and guided intervention, he can slowly unlock the parts of his mind that are closed off and begin to recall the memories that have been forgotten.""Is there a faster way?" Shawn's tone grew urgent, laced with a suffocating intensity that pressed down like a heavyweight.The doctor remained silent for a moment before finally speaking. "Hypnosis might be an option. Through hypnosis, it could be possible to directly access his subconscious and uncover the blocked memories. However, this method carries significant risks. If not handled properly, it could cause even greater psychological harm."Shawn fixed the doctor with a cold, unyielding stare as if weighing the pros and cons. After a long silence, he nodded slightly and spoke in a low voice, "The risks of hypnosis don’t concern me. I only want to know one thing—can he recover those memories through it?"The doctor replied
The sound of fabric tearing filled the room, and Dean’s already tattered shirt finally gave way, leaving him exposed to the biting chill of the air. Despair clawed at him, almost overwhelming. He shook his head frantically, trying to stop what was happening, but Shawn paid no attention to his futile struggles.Shawn walked over to the shelves, selecting several clips with deliberate precision. Returning to the bed, he began placing them on Dean’s body, one by one. His movements were disturbingly practiced, each action methodical and calm, sending a shiver of terror down Dean’s spine.Shawn didn’t stop there. What little remained of Dean’s clothing was swiftly torn away, leaving him entirely exposed. From the assortment of items on the shelves—vibrators, wands, and other devices—Shawn began to gather them with an unsettling calmness.One by one, he positioned them near Dean’s most vulnerable and sensitive areas, each placement deliberated, as if orchestrating a cruel and calculated pla
The air was cold, sharper here than it had been on the road. The distant rustle of trees and the faint crunch of gravel underfoot told him they were back—back at the villa, back in the place he had so desperately tried to flee. The realization tightened around his chest like a vice.Rough hands yanked him upright, forcing him to stumble forward. He couldn’t see, but he could feel—every tug on his bound limbs, every scrape of dirt and stone beneath his bare feet, every mocking laugh from his captors. They manhandled him without care, each shove and pull stripping away another fragment of his dignity.And yet, amid the chaos, Dean's mind raced. He couldn't stop thinking about what awaited him on the other side of those villa doors. Shawn’s rage, his cold, calculating demeanor, his penchant for turning Dean’s defiance into a lesson… It all loomed over him like an impending storm.But fear wasn’t the only thing brewing in Dean’s heart. There was something else, buried beneath the layers o
That night, Dean leaned against the window of the villa, his gaze sweeping over the endless expanse of forest. A thought, one he had buried for far too long, surged to the forefront of his mind—escape. The idea wasn’t new; it had lingered for weeks, perhaps months. But fear, coupled with the relentless pain his body endured, had always forced him to suppress it. This time, however, was different. A quiet determination began to take root in his chest. He knew that if he stayed, he would only face endless torment. Anger and defiance churned within him, a smoldering ember on the verge of igniting, granting him a rare and precious courage.Over the next few days, Dean began preparing in secret. He packed only the bare essentials: water, clothing, and a few rudimentary bandages—all crammed into a small bag. He had no room for sentiment or hesitation. His singular focus was to leave this place of despair behind, even if it meant pushing his battered body to its breaking point.And then, the
The image of ruthless gangs he had seen on the internet instantly flashed through his mind—lawless groups capable of unspeakable deeds. Among them, the Shark Gang stood out. At this moment, Dean was certain: perhaps the Dragon Gang and Cobra Gang weren’t as savage, but the Shark Gang? They were wild beasts, untamed and without conscience."So, it’s true..." Dean muttered under his breath. His grip on the file tightened, his knuckles turning pale. He could feel the fury welling up inside him, threatening to break free. But he knew better. Letting anger consume him now would only make him an easier pawn for Shawn to manipulate.Taking a deep, steadying breath, Dean forced himself to tamp down the storm within. He turned his attention to the other walls in the room, desperate to uncover more clues—especially about the enigmatic figure Shawn kept mentioning. The mystery gnawed at him like a thorn lodged deep in his mind, sharp and relentless."Even the faintest hint will do..." he whisper
Dean trudged through the villa with heavy steps, his pace deliberated and unhurried. Though places like this no longer fazed him—after all, it wasn’t the first time he had been confined in such surroundings—his sharp eyes still swept over every room with practiced vigilance. He pushed open a door and found himself in a study.However, this study was unlike any he had encountered before. The walls, adorned with nearly bare shelves, held little more than a few ornamental objects and a couple of lifeless potted plants. Dean's brow furrowed slightly as he paced around the room, scanning every corner. Yet, not a single book was in sight.“A study without books?” he murmured, a hint of perplexity in his voice. “Doesn’t this mafia boss like to read?”The thought took him back to the other places he’d been held, where the captors were eager to flaunt their cultivated tastes. Lavish rooms often boasted rare art pieces or collections of antique tomes, designed more to impress than to be used. T
The question was more rhetorical than genuine—Dean already had a good idea. A secluded location like this could only serve as a front for illicit activities. Yet, something compelled him to ask. To his surprise, this seemingly straightforward inquiry yielded an unexpected clue.Shawn leaned casually against the wall, the faint jingle of keys in his hand punctuating the stillness. His tone carried a strange mix of nonchalance and sentimentality. “This?” he said, glancing around as if seeing the place anew. “This is a villa I gave to that person.”Dean’s attention sharpened instantly, though his expression remained carefully neutral. Shawn’s words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. Who was this person? And why had they been significant enough to warrant such a gift from someone like Shawn?Dean paused for a moment, his mind churning with questions. “That person?” he thought. He didn’t press, choosing instead to remain silent, waiting for Shawn to elaborate.Shawn glanced