She attempted to forcefully kick with her only free right foot, but Rong Shaoze was quicker than her. As he locked her left ankle, with a twist of his wrist, he immediately secured her right ankle as well.
All of her limbs were locked, and Lin Xinlan’s body was stretched out into a spread-eagled position, which was a humiliating pose.
Everyone was looking at her, with expressions ranging from amusement to sympathy to indifference.
Rong Shaoze’s eyes, however, were gentle and smiling, but the depth of his gaze was icy cold, without a trace of warmth.
He was a man cold and ruthless.
When he treated you well, he could be very gentle, but when he treated you badly, he could be equally cruel.
Good or bad, everything depended on his mood.
Hatred filled Lin Xinlan’s eyes, and she bit her lip tightly, not letting out the expected screams and curses.
She understood that Rong Shaoze was trying to teach her a lesson and punish her. The more she feared, the easier it was for her to lose, and the more delighted he would become.
She would never lower her head to him in surrender!
"At a time , you’re still so stubborn," he shook his head and sighed, grasping her chin gently, he spoke softly, "If you tell me who that person is and say to me that you are completely mine, I might consider letting you off and sparing you from disaster. If you don’t speak up, I can’t guarantee what might happen later."
With a trace of scorn in her smile, Lin Xinlan remained silent.
The situation had escalated beyond just whether she would divulge the name of the kidnapper. It was a contest between her and him, a struggle of winning and losing.
If she lost, she would be forever reduced to a compliant puppet. If she won, she would remain herself—apart from her captive status, everything else would be free.
So, she would never give in, never become his possession!
The man read her thoughts from her eyes, causing Rong Shaoze’s expression to darken, and a sharp glint crossed his gaze.
"Very well, Lin Xinlan, keep that courage of yours. If you dare to plead for mercy, I will show none! Now, whether you admit defeat or not, I won’t make it easy for you!"
He turned around and commanded with a cold tone, "Let the game begin!"
The man from before stepped forward with his female companion at his side, locking her limbs just like Lin Xinlan’s. The woman’s face was pale, and she was trembling all over.
Seeing how Lin Xinlan had been bound, she knew what fate awaited her.
So, she did not struggle; she said nothing, just collapsed, her eyes vacant, resigning to her fate.
Many of the women showed sympathetic expressions, and some looked terrified.
They were all in the same boat.
Perhaps the next one would be one of them...
The men, however, had no sympathy for these women; all they craved was excitement, just for fun.
A large gambling table was set up, with Rong Shaoze and the other man sitting opposite each other. Uniformed staff were on hand to deal cards for them.
He shuffled first, the cards in his hand as if bewitched, connected one by one, the shuffling sound rhythmic.
Three cards, whoever had the larger hand would win.
His slender fingers deftly released the three cards onto the table. Rong Shaoze turned to glance at Lin Xinlan, his lips curving into a devilish smile, "Do you hope that I win or lose?"
Lin Xinlan had regained her composure and laughed coldly, "I hope you win, but can you win just because I hope?"
"Of course, just show me a sign, and winning or losing is merely a word from you."
He was prompting her to beg, to admit defeat!