The man staggered back, cursing.
She rolled barely—but a rough hand yanked her back. A cloth slammed over her mouth. The scent, sweet and chemical hit her like a bullet.
"Can’t do a single thing properly...!’’
The voice slowly faded in the background as the weird scent invaded her senses.
Ella fought to stay conscious. I have yet to call Adrian back... what if he went into a rage fest again...?
Her wandering thoughts trailed off when she blacked out.
’’Cough... Cough...’’
Ella clutched her throat as a burning sensation rose in it.
She opened her eyes and in the vast darkness, her eyes immediately focused on the single ray of light that pierced into the dark room.
The events that transpired earlier flashed in her mind.
Her head throbbed, ’’Where is this... cough... cough...’’
’’Ella... Ella, are you fine?" A groggy voice sounded from the side.
’’Ruby... Why are you here?"
There was no response from the other side for a few moments.
Just as Ella was about to speak again, Ruby’s cold voice sounded, ’’They caught me.’’
Ella slumped back on the wall. The rope binding her wrists tightened by the movement.
’’That’s... impossible. I saw that you managed to escape from them then how could they catch you...’’ She trailed off mid-sentence, ’’Did you come back for me?"
"Do I seem a fool to you?"
Ella sighed, ’’You are a fool, Ruby.’’
But as her words echoed, her throat tightened.
It took me one life to realize only a fool would befriend someone like me.
’’Wait... Who have you offended?" Ella turned to Ruby.
Ruby shook her head, indicating she had no idea, "What about you?"
"I don’t know,’’ When Ruby’s eyes narrowed, Ella sighed, ’’Not to brag, but I am quite infamous. The people I have offended cannot be counted on one hand.’’
"I am not kidding here. I wouldn’t be surprised if some random classmate of ours wanted to teach me a lesson after all the scandals I am embroiled in. You might be the number 1 Imperial Goddess but I am the top eyesore of Imperial university at this moment.’’
Ella couldn’t join the dots immediately.
One would think it would be Max’s pursuers who wanted to eradicate Ruby.
But Ruby’s reputation was not bad, nor was her family background. Ruby was aloof by personality but she was loved and idolized by everyone.
The only crazy lover of Max who would get Ruby kidnapped would be her from her previous life.
She was obsessed with Max to the extent that she was the only person capable of doing that.
Yet, Ella never did that.
She hated Ruby with every fibre of her being but she had never intentionally hurt her.
"Why did you bring the other person here?" An unfamiliar voice sounded by the slightly ajar door.
Another man responded in a lazy tone, ’’Don’t you recognize that fatty?"
’’Yes, we just hit two birds with one stone,’’ the lazy toned man continued speaking.
"Boss said take the redhead, then someone paid for the fatty too—"
"Wait, what? We, the prestigious Black Wolf Gang, are selling girls now?"
"Dumbass. We ain’t selling—just keeping one and messing with the other. Big money’s involved, I heard."
"Let them rot for now. Let’s drink before we come back and make the most out this mission...’’
’’Boss said the redhead is our treat for tonight! Let’s go...’’
Ella’s face darkened.
"Black Wolf Gang...’’ Ella mumbled absent-mindedly.
"Do you know them?" Ruby’s gaze turned sharp.
Ella had a fleeting notion in her head but before she could grasp it, it would disappear every time.
"I should’ve eaten those damn almonds," she muttered.
Ruby paused for a beat before she asked, ’’Why?"
"To treat my goldfish memory."
Although both of them sat relaxed, the urgency in their eyes mirrored each other.
’’Quickly, turn your back towards me.’’
Ruby glanced at her, her eyes skeptical.
Ella pointed at her tied wrists, ’’Let’s quickly untie the ropes for each other. They are gone right now. This our chance.’’
Ruby nodded and positioned herself.
With the support of her feet, Ella slowly moved her body till she could reach Ruby’s hands, ’’Let me do it first...’’
After a series of struggles, Ella untied Ruby’s hands. With her hands freed, it did not take Ruby a long time to untie Ella.
The door was still slightly ajar, leaving them with a ray of hope.
Yet, when Ruby slid her hand from the gaps between the door, her face dropped, ’’There is a thick chain...’’
Ella’s shoulders slumped. No, she couldn’t keep staying here. If Adrian knew....
She shook her head and gazed forward.
From where they stood, it wasn’t visible that the wooden door was connected and locked by a thick chain from the outside.
"Check both the sides. How many locks are there?"
Ruby slid her hand along the chain, ’’Two. Why do you ask...’’
Ruby trailed off when she felt an intense gaze focused on her head.
She pulled her hand inside and glanced at Ella suspiciously, ’’What...do you want?"
Ella grinned. "To make them regret not chaining us better."
In an isolated corner of a lavish ballroom, a crowd queued up in a docile manner, their heads bowed as if awaiting judgment.
All gazes rested on the throne chair set apart from the rest—
Where a man sat, regal and still, his side profile half consumed by shadow.
A sharp gust of wind made the long curtains flutter, but the man didn’t flinch.
His fingers, however, slowly curled against the armrest.
As if somewhere far away, something precious had slipped through his grasp.
And the devil inside him had just opened one eye.
Author: *screams* Second Master, I am sorry... I am sorry. I swear I will never do it again!
Author: *choking* Stop dunking me in the water ah!
Author: I promise... I swear I won’t let Ella suffer again ahhhhhhhh! Have mercy, Second Master!
(These Chapters were written at the expense of your poor author’s life so please vote, gift, review and support before I drown again... splash!)