Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The memory fragment stopped abruptly , leaving the feed black and soundless .

In the tense silence that followed , one comment appeared that would shake the studio : 150 Fenwick actually set up his own sister I

The accusation hit like a stone in still water , triggering an immediate surge of defensive responses from Fenwick’s fans .

[ He’s just a guy with a typical guy fashion sense .

Cut him some slack

[ she could have said no if she hated in that much .

Her choice , her consequences ]

Their support bolstered Fenwick’s wavering resolve .

“ Just bad luck , really .

Why else would— ”

“ Because she never refused un anything back then , ” Torin cut in , his voice raw .

“ And you knew how much she hated anything fuzzy ”

“ What exactly are you suggesting ? ” Heat crept into Fenwick’s voice .

“ That I forced her ! ”

His

composure cracked as veins stood out on his neck .

“ Are you letting thirty minutes of footage make you forget about Rowena our real sister who truly loved us – lying in that hospital bed ?”

His Fans immediately turned on Torin

Though not a celebrity , Torin’s striking looks and position as Vice President of the Drayton Group had turned many employees into devoted fans .

The chat exploded into chaos as his supporters clashed hercely with Fenwick’s Fanbase .

Focus , Torin’s voice sliced through the chaos .

“ We caught the kidnapper but never found the woman pulling the strings .

” He strained against his bonds with renewed purpose .

“ She was the mastermind .

This case isn’t closed .

I need to find her ”

Stellan spoke before he could break free , “ Rest assured , Mr.

Drayton .

The police have the recording .

They’ll investigate ”

“ Shall we continue ! ” Stellan asked softly .

“ Don’t you want to see what happened next ! ”

Torin’s struggle stilled .

The question twisted in his gut .

If Elysia had been this pure , this selfless , what darkness had transformed her into someone so cruel !

y me ! Found myself a free child today ”

An older woman’s voice pierced the silence in the footage .

“ Lucky

That must be the woman Elysia betrayed – the one who raised her for ten years ! ]

[ A decade of care repaid with a lawsuit .

Talk about ungrateful .

]

One comment drifted past unnoticed .

Something feels wrong about what this woman just said .

]

Everyone was too busy playing judge and jury from behind their keyboards to notice the truth .

The memory began skipping forward like a scratched record – flashes of yellow earth , green fields , a village frozen in the last century .

Through the fragmentary images , one voice remained clear .

“ Dorian , look what I brought home Lyra Brook called out excitedly

“ Half an hour and you snag a girl ? Dorian Brook asked .

“ Still breathing after your rough handling ”

“ Found her like this Lyra replied , expectation in her voice .

“ Still kicking .

Pretty little thing – shell fetch a good price once she heals up .

”

Sharp intakes of breath filled the studio .

Even the critics fell silent .

[ Trafficking Is that why Elysia sued them ! ]

But she lost that case .

)

Must be fake then .

Maybe they sold her to good parents ]

Not all traffickers are monsters .

This couple might have been good people – maybe Elysia was just seeing evil where there was none .

[ You’re sick .

Hope your kids meet some “ kind ” traffickers .

]

The scene jumped forward abruptly .

When Elysia opened her eyes again , the viewers found themselves witnessing a new horror .

This time she was in a cattle pen , its brick walls stained black with filth .

The ground was covered in straw mixed with mud – revolting just to look at , let alone lie in

Her mid – caked arm twitched .

Her princess dress had been replaced by a yellowed , shapeless shirt , and she huddled helplessly , hugging her knees to her chest .

“ Dad .

Mom , ” she whimpered , curling into herself .

“ Where are you ? I’m so hungry .

Her sweet voice had gone sandpaper – rough from crying and

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Chapter 4

hunger .

Dawn broke .

The pen’s lock clicked .

A plain – faced woman appeared , her gentle features twisting as she spoke .

“ Ready to behave , you little beast ! Welcome to my lair , sweetle .

Nobody leaves unless I say so

She dragged Elysia out by her hair , rough hands yanking mercilessly .

Fresh blood welled from the child’s scraped palms against the ground , ackling new wounds to those barely healed – a horrifying sight .

“ Please , it hurts , Elysia whimpered

Lyra threw her into the courtyard .

Too weak to fight , Elysia could only beg “ Please don’t sell me .

My family will worry ”

Lyra showed no mercy .

Disgusted by the blood and mud on Elysia’s body , she muttered Filthy creature ” as she washed her hands .

Without

esitation , she simed the hose at the helpless child .

Ice – cold water left Elysia shivering in the autumn air .

As if something caught Lyra’s attention , she lifted Elysia’s chin , her cruel expression smoothing into calculation .

“ Well , aren’t you a pretty one , ” she mased

She brought Elysia inside , changed her clothes , and even treated her wounds “ Behave , and I might keep you .

” Her earlier cruelty vanished like morning mist

The viewers finally let our their held breath .

At least if she stayed in Stoneford , there was still a thread of hope for rescue – better than being trafficked to some distant , unknown place .

[ See This woman wasn’t completely heartless

[ They picked her up when she was injured – she might have died there .

Not to mention they raised her for ten years .

Some call that mercy .

In the studio , Fenwick biched onto these comments like a drowning man grasping at straws “ Look , Torn .

Her captor showed merry .

Yet she still tumed on her just like she turneil on us .

”

“ Enough ! ” Torin’s voice cracked like a whip .

“ I believe in her inherent goodness .

Later influences twisted her into … what she became ”

His voice hardened with conviction .

“ But that woman was still a trafficker .

Anyone who preys on children deserves punishment ”

At their exchange , Stellan let out a coll laugh and deliberately held his tongue .

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Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The stream jumped to another scene .

“ Two excapes in three days ” Lyra’s fingers tightened in warning .

“ Try again , and  y