More than ten minutes later, the black vans stopped at an old, abandoned factory on the outskirts.
A bodyguard carried Gwendolyn to a tattered, dusty room in the factory and laid her on the dirty ground.
Just as the bodyguard was about to leave, he caught a peculiar sight at the corner of his eye. He noticed Gwendolynâs head lying on the dirt move a little.
Hence, he turned his head back and scrutinized her but spotted nothing suspicious. Hmm, I guess my eyes were playing tricks on me.
He then left the room, locked the door, and stationed four bodyguards at the entrance.
Concurrently, Annie was speaking with Paul in front of the old factory.
With a grim expression, Paul admonished her in a faint voice because he didnât have the heart to berate her too harshly. âWhy did you insist on kidnapping her? Donât tell me youâre thinking of killing her. Youâre aware sheâs the richest woman in Chanaea, right? Her status is extraordinary. Not to mention her husband is Cedrick Jenson, and weâre still in Chanaea territory. If anything happens, Iâll be able to flee unscathed, but I may not be able to protect you.â
In reality, he opposed the plan to kidnap Gwendolyn. However, he couldnât say much over the phone to stop his girlfriend, so he had no choice but to go along with her plan first.
Though he was reprimanding her, his tone was gentle.
However, Annie acted as though she was frightened by his reproach and began tearing up, looking piteous and aggrieved.
âOh, Honey. Why are you crying? I didnât mean to scold you. Iâm just worried about your safety,â
comforted Paul.
Her tearâfilled eyes immediately threw him off balance and made him lose composure.
Without delay, he pulled his girlfriend into his embrace and consoled her tenderly.
Sobbing quietly, Annie explained, âYouâve no idea how Gwendolyn bullied me for the past few days. I came all the way to Chanaea to meet her because she stole my business. Yet, she deliberately ignored me for two to three days. Also, look at my face.â
She turned her injured cheek to him and showed him the red handprint on it.
Initially, Paul didnât notice her injury because it was dark, but once he took a closer look at her cheek, he spotted it. âDoes it hurt, Honey? Was she the one who hit you? Didnât she faint after she was drugged?â
Tears streamed down Annieâs cheeks as she lied through her teeth, âGwendolyn hit me before dinner when I tried to speak up for Mr. Asher because I didnât like the way she tormented him. She slapped me â and told me to know my place. I informed her I was your girlfriend, but she didnât take you seriously at all. She was really mean.â
Paulâs rage boiled over as he listened to her trueâtoâlife story. âDid she really do that?â
âYeah. Sheâs too arrogant. Honey, the most important thing to a woman is her face. She didnât hesitate to slap me even though Iâm her guest! Thatâs no different from disrespecting you. You mustnât let this slide easily.â
Heartbroken, Paul caressed her swollen cheek. âOf course I wonât stand by and do nothing! After all, Iâm an Ospean noble, and youâre my beloved girlfriend. Gwendolyn deserves to be punished, but what punishment do you have in mind?â
A vicious look swirled in her eyes as she spoke ruthlessly in an innocent and adorable tone. âI want to destroy her foxy countenance with my own hands. Then, Iâll change her name, transport her out of Chanaea, and turn her into my personal maid. Iâll make her perform the lowliest tasks and kneel before me, begging for my forgiveness!â
Paul was dumbfounded when he heard that.
In his eyes, Annie had always been a cute, innocent, and naïve woman. Hence, he didnât expect her to utter such vile, malicious words. âAre you aware of what youâre saying, Annie?â
In response, Annie withdrew the sharp look in her eyes and leaned into his embrace. âI donât want to kill her. Itâs more interesting to turn her into my slave. Donât you think itâs exciting? The richest woman in Chanaea serving me as a slave. If we can achieve that, the Ospean nobles will regain their dignity.â
Paul was easily swayed by her. âYouâre so magnanimous and adorable, Honey. I wouldâve killed her if I was in your shoes, yet you want to spare her life.â
They then made out affectionately under the moonlight.
Before Paul could deepen the kiss, however, Annie stopped him. âItâs getting very late, Honey. We should wrap things up and leave Chanaea tomorrow, all right?â
âSure. Anything you say.â He removed a brandânew dagger from his pocket. âItâs quite sharp, so be careful and donât accidentally cut yourself. â
Upon accepting the knife, Annie planted a kiss on the manâs sideburn. âI love you, Paul,â she said coyly.
After gaining permission to approach Gwendolyn alone, she stepped into the tattered building.
Tactfully, the bodyguards shut the door and waited outside.
Gwendolyn seemed to be still unconscious as she remained unmoved on the ground.
Squatting down next to Gwendolyn, Annie pressed the dagger close to the formerâs countenance. She brushed the tip of the blade on Gwendolynâs fair, smooth skin, seemingly not in a hurry to act.
Gwendolyn was woken up by the slight prickly sensation and slowly opened her eyes, meeting Annieâs gaze.
âAh, Iâm glad that youâre awake just in time, Ms. Harris,â stated Annie.
Composed, Gwendolyn asked, âDid you kidnap me? Why do you hate me so much?â
âI do hate you. You know, I think itâll be quite interesting to see your pretty face ruined.â An arrogant look dominated Annieâs eyes. She was no longer pretending to be innocent as her malevolence revealed itself bit by bit.
Smiling, Gwendolyn replied, âAnnie Steinfeld and I have no grudges against one another. The only woman who bears such intense hatred toward me in this world is Evelyn. So, who are you?â
Annie arched her eyebrow disdainfully. âEvelynâs dead. A mere illegitimate daughter of the Harris family is incomparable to me. Iâm Annie Steinfeld.â
However, Gwendolyn didnt beneve ner. I let you do as you please with me in the past, yet you still refuse to admit it?â
âI never was her, so why should I admit anything?â insisted Annie resolutely.
With a vicious look, she pointed the dagger at Gwendolyn again. âIâll leave thirty slashes on your face.
After disfiguring you, Iâll change your name, remove you from this country, and turn you into my slave. I want you to perform the dirtiest and most tiring tasks for me. Youâll also receive thirty whips every day and kneel every night.â
The more she spoke, the more her resentment swelled. Suddenly, she cackled maniacally. âThis is how you tortured others, Gwendolyn! Once you have a taste of your own medicine, youâll know what itâs like!â
Gwendolyn merely glared at Annie coldly.
She didnât panic one bit even though her limbs were tired and Annie was holding a sharp dagger.
Her calm expression pissed Annie off.
Abruptly, Annie pinched Gwendolynâs face. âWhat I hate the most about you is how serene you always seem to appear, as if everything is within your control! Who do you think you are to look down on others? You donât have the right to do that! Your life is destined to be a smooth sailing one with everyone taking your side just because you were born a little luckier than others. Well, I refuse to believe that! Iâm going to trample you and transform you into a lowly citizen in Ospea so youâll never be able to rise again!â
Growing increasingly agitated, Annie raised the dagger in her hand, ready to slash Gwendolynâs face.