The crowd blocked the end of the hallway, and nothing seemed out of place.

"Mmhm!"

I was so close! Adrian had almost seen me.

Tony covered my mouth and yanked me back from behind.

"You almost ruined everything, you nasty girl!

"I'll make sure you learn your lesson!"

As Adrian turned to leave, I fought back with all my might, clawing at the thug's eyes.

Tony howled in pain and clutched his face, giving me a chance to break free.

However, before I could get far, a sharp pain exploded in my head, and the world spun.

I whirled around to see Tony with a baseball bat, his face twisted in anger.

I hit the ground hard, and they dragged me back like I was nothing but trash, leaving a trail of blood behind.

Back in the room, they did not hit my face but punched and kicked me everywhere else.

Blood sprayed all over the walls, even seeping under the door.

My clothes were drenched, and every part of me screamed in pain.

I almost blacked out so many times.

However, I could not give up. I did not want to die. I was so close to graduating, to being free!

After what felt like forever, they stopped.

As I was about to pass out, I heard a voice I knew.

"What's going on here?"

"Mr. Lyon, we caught a cheater who took millions from us. We were just teaching her a lesson."

I tried to make a sound to get Adrian's attention, but Tony crushed my hand under his boot and shoved a rag into my mouth.

"Keep this quiet, and clean this mess up," someone ordered.

The voices faded, and so did my hopes.

'Adrian, is this because I wouldn't marry you?' I wondered.

Suddenly, the door swung open.

Someone stepped inside.

"What's this? What happened to her?"

The newcomer frowned, and the other men looked scared.

"Mr. Ellis, she's being difficult. She claims she can buy her freedom, and she even claimed she's Mr. Lyon's fiancée!"

"A feisty one? Our new guest loves that kind of thing."

I was hauled into a tub and scrubbed down by a few people, then dumped on a bed like a lifeless doll.

I weakly clutched at the newcomer's sleeve.

"You're Mr. Ellis from the Lyon family. You've seen me before. Call Adrian!

"If you don't, you'll be sorry. He'll definitely take you down."

A goon charged at me, smacked my face hard, and flung my hand back onto the bed.

"Mr. Ellis, don't listen to this trickster. These girls will say anything to get away.

"This girl's worth $750 thousand. We can't afford to lose that kind of money."

My mouth and half my face were swollen, so all I could manage were tiny sobs.

The Capo, Ronald Ellis, narrowed his eyes, gave me a long look, and huffed.

"Everyone knows our Boss's favorite is the Sawyer family's Principessa. She's all grace and beauty, not at all like this wild child.

"We were going to have you do a simple job, but you disrespected Mr. Lyon, so don't expect any favors now."

He shot a look at Tony, who was chomping on a cigar, and jabbed a needle into my arm.

Before I could fully wake up, I was hit by a wave of burning heat.

As the drug kicked in and my face turned red-hot, they laughed and left, slamming the door behind them.

The room went pitch black. I bit down hard, fighting to keep my wits about me.

This was my chance.

I felt around in the dark and grabbed something solid.

Time passed, and when the door swung open again, I did not think twice before slamming the thing in my hand against the intruder's skull.

They yelped, clutching the back of their head.

I cursed the drug for sapping my strength. I had not been able to finish them off with that hit.

As they cursed back and ran for help, I did not waste a moment. I bolted for the door.

Coughs racked my body, and blood splattered on my face.

My eyes were blurry from the medicine, and my swollen mouth could not form words.

Upon turning another corner, I saw a dead end and felt total despair.

Trapped in this strange place full of enemies, I had no chance of escape.

The only way out of this pain seemed to be death.

However, I did not want to die! I had fought so hard to live, and I did not want to end it all now!

An alarm was buzzing softly. That man had told his goons to come.

I hid in a corner, waiting for the people in the room to leave after they heard the noise. Then, with all my will, I leaned on a nearby door and moved forward.

Suddenly, I heard Adrian's voice through the wall, full of joy.

"What?! Fiona's here?!"

"We found Ms. Sawyer's passport and ID near the casino, all torn up."

Adrian was furious.

"You idiots! Why didn't you tell me sooner? Where is she now?! Find her!

"If anything happens to Fiona, you'll all be shark food!"

I heard fast footsteps.

They were coming my way!

I forced my eyes open, feeling a new strength.

I followed them but only saw Adrian and his crew rushing into the casino.

His Underboss, Jack, spotted me.

"Mr. Lyon, a woman escaped during all the confusion."

Adrian scowled, glanced at the dirt on me, and looked away, not giving me another thought.

"This doesn't matter! Just deal with it. I need to find Fiona now."

'I am Fiona. I'm right here!' I wanted to scream.

However, when I tried to speak, only blood spilled out.

My face was a mess of blood and so swollen I did not even look like myself anymore. Adrian did not even recognize me.

I felt so hopeless as the bad guys closed in that I just sat down on the ground.

However, Adrian suddenly stopped walking.

Someone he knew was thrown right in front of him.

It was Axel, my so-called boyfriend, who had betrayed me!

"He's the one who ripped up Ms. Sawyer's ID picture!" Axel was freaking out, trying to explain fast.

"I didn't do it! I don't even know Ms. Sawyer!"

Jack was about to do something, but Adrian stopped him, took out a gun, and flung it at Axel's mouth. Axel's cheek puffed up, and he spat out a tooth.

"You recognize the name Anna, don't you?" Axel's eyes grew huge, and he started shaking all over.

"I don't know anything! I just found some ID pictures and thought it was trash, so I tore it up."

Jack looked at Axel like he did not believe a word, but Axel kept insisting he had done nothing.

Adrian got so mad that he kicked Axel to the ground.

"So, you like to get rid of trash? Me too!"

He slowly took off his gloves, threw them to the ground, then put on a new pair given to him by Jack.

When he started to walk away, I freaked out.

If he left, I would be stuck here forever!

I tried to run to him, but before I could even get close, one of the bad guys kicked me away.

"You can't touch our Boss, you little rat!"

Two big guys picked me up and were about to toss me into a car.

Adrian looked over when he heard the noise. I ripped open my shirt, almost shaking.

Adrian squinted at me.

"That tattoo..."

However, before he could get a good look, one of his guys started yelling.

"Stop dilly-dallying! Get rid of this girl fast, and don't let Mr. Lyon see this mess!"

They did not say another word as they picked me up and threw me into a different car.

My gaze never left Adrian as I tried with all my might to show him the tattoo peeking out from my chest.

I hoped he would recognize me.

Perhaps I stared at him for too long because he finally looked my way again.

Then I heard his voice, dripping with disgust.

"What a dirty, disgusting woman!"

Jack chimed in, "A dying old hag still trying to flirt? She's really cut out for this life."

My heart turned to ice. I could not believe they thought I was selling myself.

Right then, Ronald showed up.

Adrian was distracted, his voice cool but eager.

"Any luck? Were there any pretty, sweet girls here today?"

Ronald answered curtly, "Mr. Lyon, we only had men today."

Adrian's face fell.

"Maybe she was just traveling and lost her ID by accident."

Jack was about to agree but then had a sudden thought.

"No, Mr. Lyon, there's more than just guests at the underground casino. There's also 'merchandise'!"

Ronald went pale, realizing something.

Adrian's calm broke, and he could not maintain his gentlemanly act. He spun around and glared at Ronald.

"Where's the new 'merchandise' today?! Where?!"