Chapter 413 Return to the Dungeon
Phoenix's smile turned icy, her eyes flashing with a hint of malice. "Aunt Scarlett, what are you trying to say? You think I'd hurt you?"
Jack felt the tension thickening. "Phoenix, how dare you? This is my house. Leave now!"
Phoenix's expression softened, feigning innocence. "Uncle Jack, I just wanted to spend some time with Aunt Scarlett. It's been so long since we last saw each other."
Scarlett's body trembled even more, her voice barely holding back sobs. "Phoenix, please, I can't take this anymore."
Phoenix's eyes grew colder, her tone laced with threat. "Aunt Scarlett, what are you talking about? I don't get it."
Jack's frown deepened, trying to catch Scarlett's soft-spoken words. "Scarlett, what did you just say?"
Scarlett couldn't hold back her tears any longer, her voice choked with emotion. "Jack, I actually..."
Before she could finish, Phoenix suddenly grabbed her arm. "Aunt Scarlett, you must be exhausted. Let me take you to your room to rest."
Scarlett's body stiffened, her eyes filled with despair. She wanted to break free from Phoenix's grip but didn't dare to make it obvious, allowing herself to be led to the room.
Jack watched the scene unfold, feeling increasingly uneasy. Before he could say anything, Phoenix had already pulled Scarlett into the room and shut the door.
Inside the room, Phoenix's smile vanished, replaced by a fierce look. "Aunt Scarlett, you're becoming more disobedient."
Scarlett trembled, her voice full of pleading. "Phoenix, I'm begging you, don't lock me up again. I can't take it anymore."
"Can't take it? Do you think you have a choice? Obey, or else..."
Before she could finish, Jack's voice suddenly came from outside the door. "Scarlett, what are you two talking about?"
Phoenix's smile instantly returned, her tone gentle. "Uncle Jack, Aunt Scarlett said she's a bit bored and wants to go out for a walk."
Jack's voice came through the door. "Scarlett, are you really okay?"
He wasn't particularly concerned about Scarlett, but this was his house. Phoenix, who had always respected and flattered him, dared to bully someone under his roof. This made Jack's temper flare.
Scarlett's body trembled even more, but she didn't dare to speak. She lowered her head, her voice barely audible. "I'm fine."
"Uncle Jack, don't worry. I'll take good care of Aunt Scarlett."
Before Jack could say anything else, Phoenix pulled Scarlett out of the room and headed straight for the door.
"Uncle Jack, Aunt Scarlett and I are going out for a bit. We'll be back soon," Phoenix said with a smile, pulling Scarlett out the door.
As soon as they reached downstairs, Phoenix suddenly pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket and covered Scarlett's mouth and nose. She struggled for a moment before collapsing into Phoenix's arms.
Phoenix looked coldly at Scarlett in her arms, and smirked. "Aunt Scarlett, you'll stay in the dungeon."
She took out her phone and dialed a number. "It's me. Bring the car around."
A few minutes later, a black sedan pulled up downstairs. Phoenix stuffed Scarlett into the car and got into the passenger seat. The car started and drove off.
The car drove to an abandoned villa in the suburbs. Phoenix dragged Scarlett out and took her straight to the basement.
The basement was dimly lit, the air thick with a musty smell. Phoenix threw Scarlett to the ground, her gaze cold and unyielding. "Aunt Scarlett, this is where you'll stay."
Scarlett's body trembled, her eyes filled with despair. "Phoenix, please, let me go!"
"Let you go? No way. You're too valuable."
With that, she turned and left the basement, locking the door behind her.
Phoenix returned to the car, pulled out a delicate makeup box and a human skin mask from her bag, and began to disguise herself. A few minutes later, she looked exactly like Scarlett.
She smiled at herself in the rearview mirror, started the car, and drove back to Jack's house.
Jack sat on the living room sofa, holding a cup of cold coffee, his eyes fixed on the clock on the wall. The ticking of the second hand echoed in the room, each tick hammering at his nerves. Scarlett had been out for hours and hadn't returned.
Scarlett had stayed out late before, but this time, something felt off.
The sound of the door lock turning finally broke the silence. Jack stood up abruptly, his gaze fixed on the door.
Phoenix walked in. "Jack, I'm back."
Jack didn't respond immediately. He scrutinized her closely. Her movements, her demeanor, even her voice felt both familiar and strange. His eyes fell on her hands—delicate and well-manicured, unlike Scarlett's hands, which showed signs of age despite being well cared for.
He asked, "Scarlett, where did you go?"
"Phoenix took me to that new dessert shop. The food was really good. I even brought you some."
She pulled out a beautifully packaged box from her bag and handed it to Jack. Jack didn't take it, his eyes still sharp. "You usually don't like sweets. Why the sudden interest?"
Phoenix's smile faltered but quickly returned to normal. "Phoenix recommended it. She said the shop is famous, so I tried it."
Jack's frown deepened.
His instincts told him the person in front of him wasn't Scarlett. Her tone, her demeanor, even her small gestures were all different from the Scarlett he knew.
"Scarlett, come here." Jack's voice was icy, commanding.
Phoenix hesitated but walked over, still smiling. "What's wrong, Jack?"
Jack didn't answer. He suddenly grabbed her wrist with a strong grip. Phoenix's expression changed instantly, her voice trembling. "Jack, you're hurting me."
Jack sneered, his eyes fierce. "Hurting you? Then tell me, where's the scar on your wrist?"
Phoenix's face turned pale, her eyes filled with panic. "Scar? What scar?"
Jack's eyes grew sharper. "Scarlett has a scar on her wrist from a burn ten years ago. If you're Scarlett, how could you not know?"
Phoenix's body visibly shook, her voice frantic. "I must have forgotten. The scar faded long ago. You can't see it."
Jack sneered. "Really? Then I'll check myself."
He suddenly grabbed Phoenix's collar and pulled hard. Her clothes tore, revealing her delicate shoulder. Her face turned livid, her voice filled with fear. "Jack, what are you doing?"
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