Chapter 19

Cecilia’s pov

As I walked through the winding corridors of Amanson Hotel, my nerves were shot. I kept glancing back, listening for footsteps.

The hotel was eerily quiet. I hadn’t run into a single staff member since leaving Dora, and the silence made my heart race uncomfortably.

After walking for a while with no sign of anyone following me, I allowed myself to chill out slightly.

Maybe I was just being paranoid. If Dora had wanted to use dirty tactics against me, she would have done so long ago—not when I was voluntarily walking away from her son. Sure, she was pissed about the settlement money, but to the Green family, fifty million was chump change.

Dora wasn’t stupid enough to pull something now.

The main lobby was just around the corner ahead. I pulled out my phone to check the time.

7:40 PM.

Perfect timing to contact Liam. I began typing a message: “I’m here, in p>

Before I could finish those last two words, as I turned the corner, a woman in a black hotel uniform ran right into me. She immediately apologized, “I’m so sorry, excuse me p>

She reached out to steady me.

“It’s fine, I’m okay, don’t p>

My words caught in my throat as a cold, sharp pain shot through my neck. Within seconds, my vision began to blur.

Everything around me became distant and hazy, as if I were falling down a deep well. My body felt completely paralyzed. I wanted to fight back but couldn’t move a muscle. I tried to scream for help, but no sound came out.

The fake server’s lips curved into a disturbing smile as she tightened her grip on me while pretending to help. “Are you alright, miss? Which suite are you staying in? That way? I’ll help you back to your room p>

After talking to herself, she forcefully guided me down another, more secluded corridor.

Terror flooded through me.

[Someone, please help p>

I remembered my phone, which I’d slipped into my coat pocket when we collided. The unfinished message was still there. With every ounce of strength I could muster, I struggled to slide my hand into my pocket.

My fingers moved slowly and carefully, going entirely by feel to find the keyboard. I managed to type “help” before hitting send.

Sebastian

The hotel courtyard was quiet—too quiet. The meeting had wrapped up smoothly, the client was satisfied, and the whiskey in my glass was just starting to help me unwind when Liam’s phone buzzed.

I didn’t miss the way his brow furrowed as he read the message.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, though I already knew. Liam wasn’t one to look confused unless it mattered.

He handed me the phone without a word. “I arranged to meet Cecilia at eight o’clock. She just texted saying she’s arrived, but… the last words don’t make sense. Could you help me figure out what she means p>

I shot him a look—cold, reproachful. My gaze dropped to the screen.

“I’m here, in help p>

A pause.

Help.

Not “in the hotel.” Not “in the lobby p>

In help.

My fingers tightened around the device. That wasn’t a typo. That was a cry for help.

Without hesitation, I called her.

Liam blinked. “Alpha p>

I ignored him. The call connected, but all I saw were blurred shapes—dim orange-gray, like a poorly lit room. No face. No recognizable surroundings.

And then the sounds.

Footsteps. Too slow.

The drag of shoes against the floor—not walking. Being dragged.

Labored breathing.

I ended the call and tossed the phone back to Liam. “Check if she’s been to the hotel p>

His face went white as he dialed. The front desk confirmed it—a beautiful woman had arrived at seven. Left a suit to be held. Then… left with a woman in uniform.

Liam’s voice wavered. “Wasn’t she supposed to meet you? Why would she leave with someone else p>

I was already on my feet.

Soren was going ballistic, “Find her! Our mate! She’s in danger. She needs us p>

My phone was in my hand before Liam finished speaking.

Then I bolted out of the courtyard.

Every step was urgent.

[Someone had taken her.

And they were going to pay p>

Cecilia’s pov

In a dimly lit hotel room, I was dumped onto a large bed.

Seven or eight men wearing only towels around their waists stood in the room, their gazes like predators eyeing prey. Various “toys” were arranged beside the bed, including syringes and needles.

Pure terror made me tremble uncontrollably.

I tried to get up, but after managing to prop myself up on one arm, I fell back down.

White as a sheet, I shook my head, kicking my legs against the sheets to retreat backward. “No… no… don’t p>

“What a knockout p>

“Her man must be stone-cold to give such a gorgeous woman to us, wanting her destroyed p>

“Not just destroyed—he wants the whole process recorded p>

Their words made my mind go blank with shock.

Xavier? Had he arranged this?

No way!

Despite my weakness, I fumbled for my phone, dropping it several times before finally managing to hold it. I needed to call Xavier, to confront him directly.

When some men moved to take my phone away, the woman in the fake uniform sitting on the sofa said, “What’s the big deal? Even if she calls the police, she can barely talk p>

Pressed into the corner of the bed, I called Xavier.

He declined the first time.

He declined again the second time.

My heart sank, the pain cutting deeper p>

The third time, the call connected, but it wasn’t Xavier who spoke—it was Cici.

“Xavier doesn’t want to talk to you. Why won’t you just give up?” she said.

Then she let out a cruel laugh. “By the way, how do you like the guys we arranged for you? Let me drop a little secret—they’re not just total perverts, one of them has HIV p>

“Cross your fingers that you don’t survive tonight. If you do, things will be even worse for you p>

“Of course, we’re not worried if you go to the police. In this city, taking you down would be like stepping on an ant. You don’t stand a chance against us p>

“Don’t blame us for being ruthless—you brought this on yourself by being greedy. Honestly, from the moment you discovered his affair, he knew about it. He deliberately played you for tonight—to destroy you. Once you’ve signed the agreement and become damaged goods, we won’t need to pay you a cent p>

“Oh, and…tomorrow, I become his Luna—officially, completely, forever. How’s that sit with you, Cecilia? I’ve taken your mate, your title…and soon, I’ll erase you completely p>

“I’ll be happy and blessed forever, growing old with Xavier p>

“And you? You can do nothing but suffer and die p>

Cici cackled before hanging up.

The phone fell from my ear.

Despair, grief, and overwhelming hatred ripped through my insides.

The woman by the sofa started recording. “Alright, let’s get started. The client said to go all out—no limits p>

All seven or eight men surrounded me.

I desperately tried to grab a pillow to throw at them, but my hands were restrained and tied to the headboard. My legs were pinned down too. Countless hands reached for me, tearing at my clothes p>

Hot tears poured down my face.

When I saw an ugly, obese man climb onto the bed with a syringe aimed at my thigh, I wanted to die right then and there.

I bit down on my tongue, trying to end my life.