Chapter 826
Mrs. Quintana’s face turned pale as she stared at the bullet hole in the wall and the broken whip in her hand.
“Everyone, get ready!” she shouted, clutching her head and instinctively trying to find cover, momentarily forgetting about Nina.
Panic spread among the others. Those used to living in a war-torn area often reacted to gunfire or even the sound of fireworks as if a battle had begun. But nothing followed.
Mrs. Quintana peeked out cautiously, trying to understand what had happened. Nina saw a tall man stride in through the window. His expression was stern and unyielding as he opened the door, his imposing presence dominating the room. Mrs. Quintana froze in place. “Mr. Joker… why are you here?”
Mr. Joker was the right-hand man of the boss’s son. Now he was here in person, which explained why someone had dared to fire a gun in this area.
Mr. Joker stopped in front of Nina and said coldly, “This person is not to be harmed.”
Mrs. Quintana hesitated, stunned by the realization that Nina’s claims were true.
Seeing her hesitation, Joker’s eyes flashed with anger. “Didn’t you hear what I said?”
“Yes, yes, I heard,” Mrs. Quintana stammered, immediately complying and dismissing the others with a single look.
Nina quickly helped the injured girl back to her spot. She was about to speak when Mr. Joker signaled, and Mrs. Quintana followed him out.
Nina could only stay and tend to the girl.
Mr. Joker issued a second warning to Mrs. Quintana. “You’d better listen. I’ll be watching. If she’s hurt, you’re dead.”
“Yes, Mr. Joker, I understand. You can count on me,” Mrs. Quintana replied, clearly terrified. Mr. Joker was known to be close to the boss’s son, and his shooting skills were legendary. Crossing him was a death wish. Without another word, Mr. Joker kicked Mrs. Quintana hard.
“Ah!” Her scream pierced the air, but she didn’t dare complain.
Mr. Joker didn’t even glance at her as he turned and walked away. Shortly after, he made a call. “Sir, I’ve taken care of everything as you instructed.”
…
Meanwhile, Because of Mr. Joker’s protection, everyone now avoided Nina. Even the guards outside responded immediately when she asked for supplies. They gave her whatever she needed.
She gently applied ointment to the girl’s wounds, moistening her parched lips with a water-dipped cotton swab.
After a while, the girl regained consciousness. She looked around, a bitter smile forming on her lips. “I’m still alive? In this place, I’d rather be dead.”
Nina held her hand. “Don’t say that. As long as we’re alive, there’s hope. We…”
The girl was badly injured. Nina’s concern for the girl wasn’t because she had an overly compassionate or self-sacrificing nature. It was simply because the girl was right there beside her. Having someone else around could be helpful too. Before she could finish speaking, the girl interrupted with a bitter laugh, “Don’t be naive. Being here is worse than death. This place is called a slave camp, but we’re treated worse than slaves.”
Just as the girl said, this was a slave camp in name only. It was far more brutal. Mrs. Quintana, the woman in charge, would beat and torture them for the slightest misstep.
The barbed whip she used would tear their flesh apart, leaving their bodies covered in wounds.