Chapter 597
Mara’s hands were handcuffed. She turned just in time to see the person behind her raising a heavy baton. “No p>
Before Mara could even finish her plea, a deafening thud echoed as the baton smashed brutally into her leg.
A suffocating wave of agonizing pain crashed through her mind, accompanied by the sickening crunch of bone.
Mara’s agonizing screams echoed throughout the entire room.
But this was only the beginning.
One of the guards pinned Mara to the ground, and the others rained brutal blows and kicks upon her. They only stopped after shoving a filthy rag into her mouth.
“None of you newcomers will escape. Today’s punishment is just a warm-up. Next time, it’ll be worse p>
Afterward, Mara was dragged into a pitch-black room and left to fend for herself, given only one meager meal and a cup of water a day.
She wanted to die right then and there, to end it all and escape this endless suffering.
But death wouldn’t come. Her legs were ruined; she couldn’t stand or drag her broken body. She reached for her own throat, desperately trying to end it all.
After several failed attempts, she gave up.
How had she ended up in this wretched state? Why was Mira’s life getting better and better?
Life was so incredibly unfair.
In the darkness, her mind drifted back to the blissful days when she first joined the Mercer family.
She remembered the first time she stepped into the sprawling Mercer mansion. Her eyes had widened at the grand foyer, the intricate golden mahogany screens, and the elegant, sweeping contours of the interior design that felt like a breathtaking landscape.
Mara had been completely mesmerized.
It was her first time in the city, her first glimpse into the world of the ultra-rich.
Back then, she had no idea she was the illegitimate daughter.
She had four handsome, capable brothers, a dignified, gentlemanly father who ran the company, and a mother who was always the picture of elegance, grace, and beauty.
She also had a brilliant, stunningly perfect sister.
That place was supposed to be her forever home.
The generous allowance, the endless gourmet meals, the closets full of global designer brands—it all captivated her entirely.
It was a life she had never even dared to dream of.
More importantly, the whole family had treated her like a treasure, revolving their world around her.
Mara couldn’t help but wonder. If she hadn’t listened to Shane Porter and turned against her family, or if she had immediately exposed Shane’s plot to them p>
Would she still be living that luxurious, pampered life?
Knowing Lacey’s and her brothers’ personalities even if they later found out she was the illegitimate
daughter, they probably would have still treated her well.
Mara was drowning in an ocean of regret.
It all started when she realized just how exceptional Mira was.
Mira wasn’t just brilliant academically, she excelled in
everything More importantly, Mira possessed an effortless radiant elegance that Mara could never replicate, no matter how hard she tried.
IMS
On top of that, Mira had an incredibly outstanding fiancé from a top-tier family.
Why did fate bless Mira with everything while forcing Mara to grow up enduring hardship in the countryside?
Jealousy had driven her out of her mind. She couldn’t accept it. She wanted to take it all to snatch every single thing away.
And so, she had gritted her teeth and agreed to ally with Shane Porter.
Shane wanted to use her to swallow the Mercer Group and destroy the family. She, in turn, wanted Shane to be her powerful backer so she could seize everything for herself.
From that moment on, she had taken a one-way trip into the abyss.
She ruined the Mercer Group, and she destroyed herself.
“Mara, didn’t you want to find Roxanne? She’s here p>
Mara’s bitter memories were abruptly shattered by the sudden voice p>