Atlas Hallow’s subordinate handed over a brooch, which he instantly recognized as belonging to Hailey Hill. It was a diamond brooch; Hailey had a fondness for jewelry, and even when she didn’t need to go out, diamond merchants would bring these things to her so she could choose. He had seen this butterfly brooch inlaid with colored diamonds before.
Atlas nodded, his heart sinking.
"I heard she was taken away by several men. I captured one of them, but the others got away," Fifth Master Foster said nonchalantly, as if it wasn’t a big deal. His face was as calm as a breeze, as if a person’s disappearance wasn’t more important than his pot of tea.
"Why rush? Once we finish this cup, I’ll go with you to check things out." With a light cough, he poured another cup, and then also poured a cup for himself, sipping it slowly, little by little.
The nearby servants hurriedly served assorted pastries: pine nut candy, pea cakes, date walnut crisps, and a small flatcake. Even top-notch Pu’er tea would upset Fifth Young Master’s stomach, so whenever he drank tea, the servants would get anxious. These snacks were always ready, and if he didn’t eat them, there would immediately be another batch brought out.
Atlas Hallow’s eyes darkened, yet he didn’t rush to leave; these matters were far more familiar to Fifth Master Foster than to him.
After eating a pine nut candy, Fifth Master Foster stood up, and Atlas also stood up. The two men disappeared together into the darkness.
Fifth Master’s subordinates drove them here, and once he inquired about Hailey Hill’s situation, his steps faltered...
It felt like truly returning to years ago, when she survived a suicide attempt by sheer luck. But this time?
Hailey, who had her uterus and ovaries removed, always considered herself an anomaly among women. She didn’t even like interacting with the outside world, living an almost isolated life. She was taken away by several men, and she was likely subjected to the most terrifying treatment. Sitting in the car, Atlas recalled what he had gone through from four in the morning until now, two hours that felt like a plunge from paradise into the inferno, his body cold.
"Don’t hold onto any hopes; miracles never happen in such places," Fifth Master Foster sounded a bit tired as he closed his eyes, speaking slowly.
Atlas had never harbored thoughts of miracles happening, but when he found Hailey Hill, he was still profoundly shocked.
One could imagine the inhuman torture she had suffered, but upon seeing it, he realized the horror exceeded his worst imaginings.
Hailey Hill always used luxury goods, even with her clothes and shoes, which he was indifferent to. Spending some money gave him peace of mind to some extent, but these things often became lures.
Probably, those men were attracted by her valuable jewelry and other items, dragging her to this place. Driven by lust, they not only robbed her but also assaulted her.
The weather was bitterly cold; in such a place, six o’clock in the morning is devoid of people. She was thrown behind a trash bin not far from a small motel with a red lantern hanging.
A frail arm extended beside the trash bin, and as he stepped closer, he saw Hailey Hill, covered in scars.
Her face was marked with slap imprints, looking incredibly tragic.
"We’ve found the person, handle it yourself..." Fifth Master stood about fifty yards away from the trash bin; everyone knew Fifth Young Master had a habit — he wouldn’t look at women.
Tightening his black fur coat, he vanished into the morning fog.
It wasn’t long before she’d been to the emergency room twice; Atlas Hallow frustratedly ran his fingers through his hair.
Sometimes, he felt he could control everything, but it often proved contrary to his wishes.
It was a long surgery, as the doctor told him that besides debridement, suturing was also necessary.
He understood why Hailey Hill had such wounds; she wasn’t a normal woman, and both of her terrifying experiences were due to him.
Is he destined to owe her like this for his entire life, never able to repay?
It felt like a domino effect, knocking down the first leading to one disaster after another.
He sat at the end of the hospital corridor, the air no longer carrying the joyful scent of roses, only the repulsive smell of disinfectant.
————————————- dividing line ————————————————
Could not find Atlas Hallow, yet didn’t feel he was in danger, and in a slight sulk, returned to the Miller Family.