Chapter 316

Just then, the investigating officer hurried out after her.
“Ms. Laurier, there’s something you should know.”
“What is it?”
The officer sighed. “Chasel escaped from the hospital.”
“Escaped?” Penelope’s blood ran cold.
“Yes. He climbed out a window during his X-ray. We’re doing everything we can to find him, but we’re concerned he might try to retaliate. Please be extra careful until he’s apprehended.”
There was nothing to be done. Penelope could only nod.
“I understand.”
Driving home, a sense of unease settled over her. As she turned onto a deserted street, a van suddenly swerved in front of her, forcing her to a stop.
Her heart pounded, but then a woman got out, holding a baby, and gave her an apologetic wave. Their van had broken down. Penelope breathed a sigh of relief. She started to reverse to go around them, but her car was blocked by a dumpster. She had to get out and move it. But the moment she stepped out of her car, two large men rushed out of the van, grabbed her, and shoved her inside.
“Who… who are you? Why are you doing this?” Penelope asked, struggling to keep her voice steady.
“You’re Lucien’s daughter, Penelope, right?” the man in the passenger seat asked, turning around. He had a thick beard and a scar on his left cheek. He was clearly bad news.
“I’m not Lucien’s daughter!”
The man pulled out his phone, compared her face to a photo, then took out a switchblade. The blade clicked open, gleaming in the dim light as he brought it close to her face.
“You think we’re idiots?”
Penelope watched the blade approach, her eyes fluttering shut for a second. “I’m
not lying. I’m not his biological daughter.”
“We don’t care if you’re his biological
daughter or not. He owed us
gambling dept. He died before he
could Thɪs chapter is updated by.net
it back, so his debtfalls to
you.”

Penelope knew arguing was pointless. “How much?”
“With interest, let’s say ten million.”
“I can get it for you, but you have to take me home first.”
“You really do think we’re idiots.”
The man gave a signal to one of the men holding her. A fist slammed into the side of her head.
The world went black.
She didn’t know how long she was out. When she opened her eyes, she was in a small, dark room.
It wasn’t completely dark. A tiny window high on the wall let in a sliver of twilight.
And then she saw the graffiti on the wall. A little girl, cowering in a corner, staring in terror at a man-eating beast.
This… this was the room Lucien used to lock her in as a child. The source of all. her nightmares The one place in the world she never wanted to see again.
jet
An involuntary tremor ran through her. girl again, and the beast was still
Was that helpless little
its jaws
Wide Operosing
on her
It was going to eat her. Devour her, piece by piece, until nothing was left.
She scrambled to the door and pounded on it with her fists.
“Open the door! Let me out! Let me out!”
She couldn’t stay here. She would be eaten alive.
Someone, please, save me!
Mama! Mama, come save me!