"My boss wants to see you," a man with a ski mask said as he stepped out of the car, his voice icy, his eyes emitting a cold gleam.
"Before you get in, hand over your phone."
Arabella fished out her cell and tossed it to him. Once he pocketed the device, he gestured for her to get into the car.
Inside, Arabella sat in the back with imposing poise, as though she owned the vehicle.
A smirk played at the corners of her mouth. She was curious to see who was behind this and what kind of gthey were playing.
"She's in," said the guy riding shotgun, reporting back to his boss on the other end of the phone. "Yes, got it, I'm on it."
Forty minutes later.
The car pulled up to the outskirts of a neighboring town, halting at a derelict structure that looked like a half-finished villa, a
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtskeleton of rebar and concrete, rising three and a half stories into the sky.
A fleet of cars was parked outside, and a small army brandishing various weapons trained their sights on Arabella as she stepped
out, wary of any tricks she might pull.
Arabella walked in, the door shutting firmly behind her.
Joyce and Mya were tied up with ropes, huddled on the floor, while the instigator, Yolanda, couldn't hide her smug grin seeing
Arabella arrive.
"Surprised it's me?" Yolanda taunted, her hand wielding a switchblade that she ruthlessly dragged across Joyce's arm.
Joyce clenched her teeth, refusing to let out even the slightest whimper.
She didn't want Arabella to cfor her; Yolanda had lost her mind. She was afraid Arabella would suffer seeing her in this state,
might even get hurt trying to save them.
"Mmmph, mmmph." Mya's cries were muffled by the gag in her mouth, but it was clear she was begging Arabella to leave.
"Shut up!" Yolanda slapped Mya hard across the face.
With twenty to thirty henchmen around them, Arabella knew she could take them down, but it would take time—tenough for
them to plunge their blades into her friends.
So, Arabella didn't make a move.
Her composure was unfazed, her clear eyes betraying no emotion.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
"Now that I'm here, we can talk," she said.
Arabella, | just hate your self-righteous look!" Yolanda pointed her switchblade at Arabella, "As if there's nothing in the world you
can't handle. You think you're so tough? Well, | have one more gift for you, and | think you'll be quite surprised."
Her laugh was twisted with malice as she glanced upwards.
Following her gaze, Arabella saw Edith, who had somehow been hoisted up above them. Ropes bound her into a bundle, hanging
face down. Even though the ropes held her, Edith, unconscious, was limp, looking like she could fall at any moment. Her clothes
were stained with blood, and she appeared barely alive, covered in wounds.
"Poor thing, just her bad luck being off today. | grabbed her to round out the numbers. Surprised?" Yolanda was still gloating over
her own actions.
"What do you want?" Arabella asked calmly, her voice steady despite the chaotic scene.