Chapter 513
**Created 513 p>
**In Her Favor p>
The very thought of Hiroto’s suffering sent chills racing down Selina’s spine, causing beads of cold sweat to form on her brow. She could feel her teeth chattering, an involuntary reaction to the dread that gripped her heart.
After what felt like an eternity, she managed to draw in a shaky breath, her panting echoing in the silence around her. The fear in her eyes morphed into something more sinister—an unsettling madness that flickered like a flame in the darkness. There was no escape from this nightmare. If she chose to sit idly by, she would meet the same fate as Mikita, languishing away in a dim, forgotten cell.
She was far too young for such a grim destiny. Prison was not an option she was willing to entertain.
With resolve hardening within her, Selina realized there was no turning back now. As long as Anneliese remained within her grasp, she was determined to ensure that the woman tasted a fate far worse than death itself.
If Jonathan were to come to despise Anneliese, if their bond were to shatter, it would only play into Selina’s hands.
Her gaze sharpened as she turned the ignition of the car, the engine roaring to life. Hiroto’s chapter was over; it was time for her to gather more supplies. A confrontation with Jonathan loomed on the horizon, and she could feel the inevitability of it like a storm gathering strength.
With a sense of urgency, she loaded the supplies into the trunk, her heart racing with anticipation. As she drove back, the familiar route took her through a small town she had scouted earlier. She recalled the gang of punks that operated in that area—
a group that could be swayed with a bit of cash and a tantalizing distraction.
A sudden surge of confidence washed over her. With the right amount of persuasion, they would be more than willing to assist her.
Her instincts proved true, and a sense of fortune enveloped her. She spotted the gang gathered together, their laughter echoing in the air as they drank. When they caught sight of her, a glimmer of excitement sparked in their eyes. They recognized the opportunity for fun, and seeing her alone, they quickly hopped into their car, eager to follow her lead.
By the time Selina arrived back at the abandoned factory, over three hours had slipped away. She parked the car and watched as the punks pulled up behind her, their enthusiasm palpable.
Stepping out, she addressed their leader with a commanding tone, “Stay hidden for now. I’ll let you know when it’s time p>
She needed to slip inside and send Timothy away before his compassionate heart could jeopardize her meticulously crafted plan.
“Got it. Just make it quick,” the leader replied, exhaling a plume of smoke that curled through the air towards her.
Suppressing the revulsion that twisted her stomach, Selina cast a glance at the four burly men in the car, their bodies reeking of cheap alcohol and stale cigarettes. She turned her focus back to the factory, steeling herself for what lay ahead.
Anneliese, I’ve poured my heart into your New Year’s gift. Brace yourself for the surprise.
But as she stepped into the plant, an unsettling sensation prickled at the back of her mind.
Timothy’s car was nowhere to be seen.
Panic surged through her as she leapt from the car and dashed inside. The building was eerily quiet, devoid of life. Both Anneliese and Timothy had vanished.
The remnants of the fire they had built earlier lay cold and extinguished. They couldn’t have left long ago.
“Dad! Dad, I’m back! Come out!” she shouted, her voice echoing off the walls as panic clawed at her throat. She dialed Timothy’s number, her heart racing as disbelief washed over her.
Maybe Timothy had relocated Anneliese within the factory to keep her safe.
But her search yielded nothing; she called out endlessly, her voice growing hoarse. No one answered. Even Timothy’s phone rang with an unreachable tone.
Desperation clawed at her as she bolted toward the exit. Just as she neared it, the four punks sauntered in, laughter spilling from their lips like a sinister melody.
“Hey, beauty, where’s that gorgeous girl you promised us?” one of them taunted, a smirk plastered across his face.
“This place looks empty. Don’t tell me you meant yourself,” another chimed in, his eyes glinting with mischief.
“Haha! If you’re that lonely, just say the word. We’re more than happy to keep you company. No need to play coy,” they jeered, emboldened by the absence of anyone else.
They had waited outside for what felt like an eternity, their anticipation growing as they feared she might have second thoughts or, worse, contacted the authorities. Following her inside had seemed like a logical course of action.
Now, faced with only Selina, they felt no need to hold back.
“Don’t-don’t come any closer! I paid you!” she shouted, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. She had hired them for a specific task, handing over a substantial sum of 20 thousand in cash.
“If you’ve got that kind of money, why not give us a little extra?” the leader suggested, stepping forward with a predatory grin. He yanked off her black baseball cap and tore away her mask, letting her hair fall loose around her shoulders.
The reaction was immediate; they whistled and jeered, their crude remarks flowing freely. One of them shoved her, while another reached out to grab her arm.
Selina screamed, dodging and backing away, her heart racing as she fought to maintain an air of defiance despite the fear gnawing at her resolve.
“I wouldn’t have brought you to this godforsaken place if I were afraid of you! Listen closely. My husband is Jonathan Fullbuster, the CEO of AeroAir. He wields immense power and influence in Halden.
“I’ve brought you here to help me teach a lesson to the woman who seduced him. My bodyguards will arrive any moment with her.
“Do your job well, and you will be handsomely rewarded. But if any of you dare to
lay a finger on me again, when my men arrive with her, I will ensure that every last one of you pays dearly p>
Selina fixed each of them with a steely gaze, her words ringing with an ironclad conviction, unwavering and fierce.