lowly open

d against her bruised and aching skin. The co

pain shot through her lower body. She squeezed her

nd dark, purple rings of bruised flesh. She was no longer wearing the

oom. Sunlight poured in thro

lder woman standing silen

rward. Her posture w

she introduced herself formally.

avy duvet up to her ch

?" Celestia demanded.

d cellular device, have been securely confiscated and locked away in the estate's vault per the standard conta

from a side table and offered

r arm out and sla

ered loudly onto the thick Persian rug,

mply raised a hand to her col

, her breathing erratic. "I need to c

x of cold pity and deep an

llowed for candidates,

She ignored the shooting pain in her core a

. She twisted it frantically

ocked solid fr

fists against

ounded until her knuckles bruised and h

desk. She picked up a thick, leather-b

t," Martha explained, holding the folder out.

door. She turned around, stari

lestia screamed, her chest heav

cured finger to a signature line at the bott

ward. She looked clos

was perfectly fo

enses. Celestia snatched the he

y pieces. She threw the shredded co

She calmly brushed the paper fra

e button on he

Two massive, armed security guards stepped into the ro

art hammered against her ribs. The

coldly explained. "Absolute obedience to Mr. S

d men. She looked at the fo

n finally became clear. This wasn't a random kidnapping

er stomach. The reality of her

lapsed backward, landing heavily

red the maids waiting outside to bring i

lacing a tray of stea

adamantly refused to look at the fo

ll only anger Mr. Sin

The guards followed. The heavy door slammed