Chapter 477 Let You Die in Luken
The night was thick with darkness.
Amidst the chaos of evening shadows, Violet moved alone through the sprawling underground market. She navigated the crowds with predatory focus, her gaze sharp as a hunting leopard's.
In the deepest recesses of the black market, she found him—Francesco Ashford. The man sat at a weathered wooden table, nursing a bottle, muttering to himself. Old scars crisscrossed his face, giving him a menacing appearance.
Violet tugged her oversized scarf higher, keeping her head down to obscure her features. Only when she reached his table did she lift her gaze to meet his, her eyes resolute and unflinching.
"Francesco?"
Francesco looked her up and down. "Looking for me?"
"I'm Micah's niece." Violet placed a stack of bills before him. "I need passage out of Luken. This is the deposit. Count it if you like."
Francesco raised an eyebrow, the scar on his face shifting slightly. Violet instinctively stepped back, wary.
"Deposit?" He laughed coldly. "A deposit is typically one-tenth of the ticket price. This is what you offer?" His lip curled. "Micah's niece indeed."
His contempt made it clear—contrary to what Micah had claimed, Francesco held no respect for him. After hiding for over a decade, Micah had lost whatever leverage he once had. To someone like Francesco, who ruled the black market, Micah wasn't even worth acknowledging, let alone extending favors to his family.
Violet regretted mentioning the connection. She frowned, pulling another stack of bills from her bag and tossing it onto the table. "Is this enough?"
Francesco's smile didn't reach his eyes. "My channel out of Luken costs eighty thousand dollars minimum. But for Micah's niece..." He leaned forward. "One hundred and fifty thousand."
"One hundred and fifty thousand? I'm trying to leave Luken, not buy the damn country!" Violet struggled to contain her anger, lowering her voice. "Eighty thousand I can manage. I don't have that much cash on me right now, but I can—"
Before she could finish, Francesco's expression had already darkened to something dangerous.
"Too expensive for you?" he cut in, his voice like ice.
Violet pressed her lips together, refusing to answer.
"That's fine." Francesco's smile turned predatory, his gaze sliding to her well-covered chest. "Sleep with me a few times, and the ticket's yours. Free of charge. Let's see what Micah's niece tastes like, shall we?"
His leering gaze sparked revulsion in Violet. She had been the darling of the Swift Family, protected by Albert in her youth. Even after her fall from grace, her marriage to Rodolfo had afforded her a life of luxury. No man had ever dared to proposition her so crudely.
"You?" Fury overtook her caution. "You think you could handle me? Fine. One hundred and eighty thousand. I'll pay it."
Francesco had only been taunting her, but her insult transformed his face into a mask of cold rage.
He leaned back against the rickety chair, tilting his chin up. "Get out. I wouldn't sell to you for ten million now."
Violet froze. "What? You're turning down money?"
"That's right." His eyes glittered with malice. "I'd rather see you die in Luken."
Leaving the shadowy market behind, Violet kept her head down, carefully avoiding everyone she passed. She was furious with herself. She was never impulsive, yet today she'd managed to alienate Francesco with a few careless words.
Now she might never escape Luken.
Every inch of this city was dangerous for her. Too many eyes were watching.
Violet pulled her scarf higher, mind racing for alternatives, when rapid footsteps approached from behind.
Her heart clenched as she turned to look.
Before she could complete the motion, something hard struck the back of her head.
Pain exploded through her skull. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed, consciousness slipping. In her final moment of awareness, she felt someone catch her before darkness claimed her.
When she awoke, Violet found herself lying on an unfamiliar bed, surrounded by the cacophony of music and raucous voices. She rubbed her eyes, trying to make sense of her surroundings, but was distracted by an uncontrollable heat coursing through her body.
Why was she burning up? A terrible realization dawned, and fear made her tremble violently.
The bar's lights were dim and disorienting. The air, thick with tobacco and alcohol, seemed to intensify the fire in her veins.
People writhed on the dance floor, unleashing their passion and frustrations.
Violet lay in a corner of the bar, surrounded by leering, intoxicated men with obvious intentions.
Looking down, she discovered her coat and scarf were gone. She wore only a black dress so revealing it bordered on obscene...
Several men with flushed faces staggered toward her.
"You look hot, sweetheart. Why don't we help you... cool down?" One slurred, his hand landing on her exposed thigh.
At the Valdemar Villa, Albert lifted the lid from a pot of boiling water.
He carefully added children's pasta along the edge of the pot, stirring gently with a fork.
A week had passed since Yvette's disappearance, and still no trace of her.
He refused to believe what the experts told him, yet every search yielded nothing.
Albert was unraveling. He'd isolated himself, spending every moment with BoBo and CiCi. They were Yvette's children—extensions of her life—and he would love them as his own.
A knock at the kitchen door interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see BoBo standing there.
Noticing Albert's reddened eyes, BoBo frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Albert replied, his voice hoarse. "Just steam from the pasta getting in my eyes."
BoBo looked concerned. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"No, thank you." Albert's throat tightened with emotion.
"Oh, by the way, your phone was ringing."
BoBo held up the screen, reminding Albert to answer.
Albert's expression turned cold the moment he saw the caller ID.
BoBo hesitated, confused by the sudden change. Albert, realizing he might frighten the child, softened his gaze. "BoBo, could you hang up for me? It's just a scam call."
"Oh." BoBo obediently ended the call, but wondered silently why Albert would call someone named Violet a scammer.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
