Gritting her teeth, Rachel Wood soon saw a pathway up a hill that wasn’t too far away.It meant she would soon be out of the village. Then, she’d be free from the risk of being surrounded by the villagers.She kept running forward, ignoring everything else.Terrified, she couldn’t stop crying. Tears blurred her vision, but she kept running and didn’t dare to stop.Desperation tends to bring out one's hidden potential.Rachel ran faster than she'd ever run in her life.Meanwhile, the villagers continued to chase after her. She was fast, but she wasn’t as fast as those men.Ten minutes later, they were only approximately fifty meters behind her when she made it to the pathway up the hill.It was a crossroad of sorts, and Rachel had no idea which one to choose.Out of time, she chose to turn right and kept running forward while the villagers pursued her relentlessly.She was barefoot with cuts everywhere. She had no idea when her soles had become wounded so badly. It almost
Rachel Wood scrambled to hide inside the cave. She knelt in front of its entrance to see her pursuers running in the opposite direction.They hadn’t realized she had gone uphill.She released a long sigh as she sat in front of the cave’s entrance to catch her breath.The others were still running.The road split into two at the bottom of the hill, with one leading to the forest while the other led to the farmland.The villagers split into two groups to head in different directions.Rachel knew that they wouldn’t find her there in a short time.She decided to wait until nightfall and figure out a way to get out of there when nobody was around.She was too exhausted now and severely dehydrated. She couldn’t run any longer.There would be nothing but doom if she fought against them now with brute force.It was pitch black and freezing in the cave, but she wasn't afraid.She had already experienced the worst thing in the world back in the house, so nothing could make her feel mo
Rachel Wood still felt afraid when she thought about her experience of escaping from the village.She didn’t dare imagine what could’ve happened to her if she hadn’t hidden in the bush and got caught.She also didn’t dare to think about what could’ve happened if she hadn’t decided to go up the hill.Would she have been caught?Perhaps God was on her side. Or He probably pitied her.Rachel was eating some grass outside when the sky gradually turned so dark that she couldn’t see anything within the cave.She had been waiting, so after a long while, she finally walked out of the cave.Tonight was different from the night before. It was cloudy last night, and she could barely see a thing.However, the moon and stars shone brightly tonight, helping her to have a vague view of her surroundings.Perhaps God really was helping her.She was halfway up the hill and could see the terrains below her from there.Realizing that nobody was around, she carefully made her way down the hill b
Everyone felt sorry for Sebastian Brenand when they saw the state he was in, but none of them could do anything about it.Rachel Wood was nowhere to be found as if she had disappeared into thin air.Even Stanley Batton, who was seemingly capable of anything, couldn’t find her.The other wedding guests, who had no idea what happened, were clapping, chatting, and laughing.Meanwhile, Sebastian's inner circle of friends couldn’t even smile, knowing what went on.The bride and groom made their vows in front of the priest before quickly exchanging rings.Sebastian felt like a puppet throughout the process, wanting to flee from the wedding. However, he didn't dare oppose his parents, who still held Rachel's life in their hands.At that moment, guests in the wedding hall started applauding loudly, flowers scattering from above.It seemed very romantic.It was the wedding he had dreamed of, but the bride before him wasn’t the one he wanted to marry.He'd felt out of sorts when he put
It was particularly cold at night.Rachel Wood was only wearing thin, worn-out woolen clothes that the men had given her.She could feel the frigid breeze through the holey fabric, making her shiver uncontrollably.She endured the cold, not daring to stop for even a second knowing that she wasn’t safe until she left this place.Sebastian Brenand was still waiting for her.She had to make her way back quickly.Right then, Rachel genuinely regretted caving to his parents' threats. None of this would have happened if she hadn't.Biting her lip, she persisted forward without stopping to rest.At the break of dawn, she couldn’t walk anymore.Right then, she spotted an empty tar road without any cars in sight.She could see a road sign showing directions to Merryview City a fair distance away.She was 62 miles away from Merryview City.Rachel recognized this place as an impoverished city far away from Atlantis. It turned out that she was sold to a village beneath this city.She
The woman looked at Rachel Wood up and down before displaying an expression of disgust. “Why do you look like this?”Rachel immediately sniffed when she heard the question and began to share everything she had experienced.The woman instantly became enraged after hearing what happened. “That’s horrible! Let’s go, I’ll take you to the police station in Merryview City to file a report.”Rachel instantly felt relieved, regarding the woman in the car as her lifeline.Feeling hopeful again, she finally allowed her emotions to run free.Tears began streaming down her face as the car started moving.The woman stepped on the accelerator as the car moved further away from the village where Rachel had suffered.Once they arrived at Merryview City, the woman brought Rachel to the police station, where they made a police report.After explaining what happened, the police asked Rachel to stay behind while they made arrangements for a car to take her back to Atlantis.She couldn’t stop feeli
The police officer seemed shocked. “What’s the matter? Are you worried I might make a mess in your house? Why did you suddenly change your mind about going inside?”He was excited to go inside and look around as a new experience. Coming from a small town, he’d never been anywhere that was as luxurious.However, Rachel Wood hastily shook her head. “No, I don’t want to go inside anymore. Can you please take me to Merlin Avenue?”The officer had a surprised look in his eyes. “Why don’t you want to go inside?”Wouldn’t an ordinary person want to return home right after a traumatic experience?Why did Rachel refuse to go home?She was even crying.“I have my reasons. Please, I’m begging you,” she implored, wiping her tears away. The officer nodded slightly, giving one last lingering gaze at the house before driving away.When they were on the road, Rachel spotted a black Bentley driving towards them.The car had a familiar registration number. It was a series of nines.It was Se
Approximately ten minutes later, a black car stopped in front of Rachel Wood.Inside the car, Woodrow Gaston gazed at her from head to toe with a stunned expression, then quickly got out to approach her. “What happened to you? Is that really you, Rachel?”All her ex-classmates knew that Rachel was dating the wealthy Sebastian Brenand, and she had access to unlimited resources.What was going on?She remained strong and gazed at Woodrow. “It’s a long story. Can I take a shower and get a change of clothes at your place?”She knew him very well and knew she didn't have to worry about him.He worked at a police station, and he was an honest man.He instantly nodded, his eyes belatedly noticing her bloody feet and disheveled appearance. He hurried to open the car door and carried her into the passenger seat before driving her back to his house.After parking the car, he carried Rachel into his house.Although Woodrow was single and lived alone, his house seemed tidy, almost as if
Xyla quickly reached for Hannah’s hand. “Is that right? Hannah, you’re amazing…! You’re practically on par with Leon!”Hannah laughed, slightly embarrassed. “Not at all.”“Oh, cut it out. If you hadn’t helped me, how could I have improved so quickly?” Leon chuckled.“I guess I’ve lived up to my promise.” Hannah giggled along.Back then, she had promised Leon that she would become someone deserving of him.She claimed that she would grow with Leon.Without a doubt, she had done it.Now, Hannah had become a successful woman many would often speak of. She earned her rightful seat next to Leon as the CEO of Dragon Group.Stanley also turned to look at Hannah. “Yes, Hannah’s very capable. She’s our family pride.”Hannah laughed. “I was lucky to be accepted by your family.”In fact, Hannah genuinely felt grateful toward the Batton family over the years she had spent with them.They had helped her through all the hardship she encountered when she was poor and down on her luck.Aft
“Hannah, I’ve taken the first step for you. Are you willing to walk by my side for the rest of our lives?” Leon asked, serious.“Yes, I am…” Hannah answered without missing a beat.“I’ll protect you. From now on, you don’t have to worry about a single thing.” With that, Leon placed both hands on Hannah’s face and kissed her on the lips.The moment their lips touched, everything felt surreal…Hannah could feel pink, light bubbles floating all around her. It felt as if all the flowers in the world were blossoming at once.In Hannah’s dark, depressing life, Leon was her only salvation.He was a ray of hope that led her out of hell, so she could see light once more.Hannah thought she would never have anything to do with Leon after she quit school.Even until now, she still remembered how sorrowful she was on her last day of school.But now… Not only did she get the opportunity to interact with him once more, but they also became a couple.Their driver sighed to himself while
Over time, Leon’s feelings for Hannah grew deeper, stronger, and more intense.He had grown used to having her with him all the time.Thus, he hoped she would stay by his side for the rest of his life.Upon hearing his words, Hannah’s mind went blank.What did her dream guy just say?Was she dreaming?Hannah quickly pinched her palm at the thought in an attempt to discern between dream and reality.Her palm hurt. That meant this wasn’t a dream. It was real!Hannah felt even more dumbfounded…This meant Leon actually liked her! He was confessing to her, wasn’t he?Did her dream guy actually reciprocate her feelings?Never in her wildest dreams did Hannah imagine she would go through such an experience.Excitement jammed her mind, so much that she was rendered speechless. There were many things she wanted to say, and yet, she couldn’t utter a single word.Her heartbeat increased rapidly, and her entire body began to shake. Sensing her trembling body, Leon tightened his e
Immediately after, the men in black pulled out guns from their pockets, which they aimed at Raymond’s head.Raymond panicked instantly, going pale.He subconsciously retreated a step back. “Who are you? Don’t you know what you’re doing is illegal?”Leon sneered. “You don’t deserve to know my name. In this city, I am the law.”Leon’s domineering words made him seem even more imposing.At this moment, Hannah felt as if he was a guardian angel sent from Heaven to protect her.Something about him seemed oddly sacred and heavenly.“Mr. Batton, do I shoot him in the head?” One of the men dressed in black asked.“Mr. Batton? Are you Stanley Batton’s son?!” Fear was beginning to spread through Raymond. For one to have Batton as his surname and act this arrogantly in Atlantis, he could be none other than a member of the renowned Batton family.“How dare you address our president by name?!” Another man in black leveled Raymond with a chilling glare.Suffice to say, Raymond was terrif
Terrible pain ached at every part of Hannah’s body as she collided with the cold, hard ground.The pain was such that all her bones felt close to breaking. Everywhere hurt badly.At that moment, Hannah felt like a fragile doll made of clay that had been forcefully slammed hard against the ground until it broke into small pieces.Her mind went blank from the stinging agony.She braced herself and looked at the cold eyes staring back at her, filled with terror. Stammering, she asked, “Mr. Gray… What is the meaning of this?” “What’s the meaning of this? Ha! Don’t you know what’s good for you? You dumb b*tch… You’re lucky that I set my sights on you!”“How dare you refuse my feelings! Not just that, but you even made up a story to deceive me!”“Even when you saw me, you tried to trick me again!”“Do you think I’m stupid? That I can’t think? Do you honestly think I’d fall for your lies again and again?” Raymond went, his tone steadily rising into a furious roar.He then got on o
Although the sun had long sunk beneath the horizons and darkness had set in, the lively city wasn’t about to be silent anytime soon. Hannah felt deeply unsettled, so much that she didn’t leave right away.Instead, she waited in front of the bar, filled with hesitance and anxiety.Should she really leave?Would Rihanna truly be able to sort things out?The man was Raymond Gray… Neither Rihanna nor the bar could afford to upset him, lest they face terrible repercussions.Hannah remained standing on the same spot, uncertain. She really didn’t know what to do.Finally, she came to a decision. She took out her phone and tapped open a ride-hailing application on her phone.Yet just as she did that, she instantly closed it. Afterwards, she began pacing back and forth in worried circles, going to and fro aimlessly. Right as she was trapped in her worried musings, a group of people exited the bar. Raymond Gray, dressed in black, sporty attire, led all of them in a flamboyant manner.
A handsome waiter quickly walked in and looked at Rihanna. “Ms. Jensen, Mr. Gray out there insists that Hannah should get on stage to sing another song. I told him that Hannah would only sing three songs today…”“He lost his temper and claimed he’d destroy our bar if Hannah refuses to sing another song…” The waiter added. He was visibly trembling by the end of the sentence.Hannah figured Mr. Gray was probably the only son of the new mayor of Atlantis there weren’t many people with Gray as their surname in Atlantis. There were even less people who were arrogant like him. He was the only one.Hannah had heard about how terrible this person could be. He was known to be a womanizer too.Due to his powerful background, he looked down on everyone else. He didn’t respect women at all… Moreover, he had a relatively cruel personality. One could almost describe him as being a pervert.There was once when an owner of a bar offended a female internet celebrity he was dating. He directly hired
Hannah Roland smiled politely at Lina Cohen. “Nice to meet you… Thank you in advance!”“No problem… Do let me know if there’s anything you don’t like about your makeup too,” Lina said.Hannah nodded. “Okay, sure…”“By the way… Do all the signers here get such good treatment? I’m surprised we’re even assigned our own makeup artists,” Hannah asked carefully as she wasn’t aware about things like these..However, Lina smiled without answering Hannah’s question directly. She held Hannah’s hand casually the next second, “Come here. I’ll start doing your makeup now…”Hannah nodded…Lina was a very professional makeup artist. She took an hour to finish Hannah’s makeup.An hour later, Hannah’s appearance transformed completely.Lina permed Hannah’s long, black hair into natural-looking curls.Hannah had intricate peach-colored makeup on her face which made her appear lively and youthful.Once Lina was done with Hannah’s makeup, she happily retrieved a long, white dress from a clothes
Hannah Roland smiled without saying anything.***Hannah arrived at the bar where she worked at seven o’clock the next evening and walked into Rihanna Jensen’s office.Rihanna was going through paperwork in her office. When she saw Hannah, she immediately stood up and smiled at her. “Hannah, you’re here…”“Here’s the contract…” Rihanna said before pushing a thick stack of paper to the center of the table.Hannah quickly stepped forward and skimmed through the document. She then picked up a pen and signed it…Rihanna smiled upon seeing this. “Okay… I’ll transfer the money into your account tonight… I’ve told our big boss about your situation. He’s fine with my decision to pay your salary in advance. In fact, he even told me I did a good job…”“He said you can sing without worrying about a single thing… If you need any help in the future, do let us know…” Rihanna added.Hannah felt glad when she heard this, and became teary-eyed. “Thank you… Please thank our big boss for me too.