Chapter 185

Evelyn's phone screen lit up with an urgent text message.

Her fingers trembled as she read the words. The color drained from her face as she shot up from her seat.

In her frantic rush to leave, she collided with Gregory in the hallway.

"Zoe, what's wrong?" Gregory grabbed her shoulders to steady her.

"It's Dad - he's been in an accident!" Evelyn barely managed to explain before darting toward the elevators.

Gregory's expression darkened at the news about Richard Vanderbilt. He immediately turned toward Nathan Goldmann's office.

The underground parking garage was eerily quiet. Evelyn spotted her father's car with its door hanging open. Richard slumped motionless over the steering wheel.

"Dad!" She rushed forward, but a sharp pain exploded in her side. The world spun as she caught a glimpse of her attacker's face before darkness consumed her.

The last thing she felt was her body hitting the cold concrete.

Two masked figures dragged her limp form into a waiting van. The taser-wielding man adjusted his baseball cap before sliding into the passenger seat.

Tires screeched as the vehicle disappeared into the night.

Somewhere in the underground black market...

Evelyn awoke to the metallic taste of fear. Cold chains bit into her wrists and ankles, securing her to a rusted metal frame.

Memories flooded back - the parking garage, her father, then...

"That man!"

The dim room reeked of mildew and despair. Yellowed newspapers covered peeling walls. Only a single wooden table broke the monotony of the barren space.

She tested her restraints. The chains didn't budge.

The door creaked open. Three masked figures entered.

Evelyn's muscles tensed. "Who are you?"

"Just hired help," the leader in a garish jacket replied. He nodded to his companions, who pinned her to the bed.

"I can pay you double whatever they're offering!" Panic clawed at her throat as she realized this was a carefully orchestrated trap.

The leader chuckled, running a gloved finger down her cheek. "Such pretty skin."

Evelyn forced herself to breathe evenly. "Name your price."

"Money's not what we're after." He produced a syringe from his pocket.

Her pulse skyrocketed. "What is that?"

"Hold her still."

Rough hands immobilized her as the needle pierced her skin. The burning liquid spread through her veins like liquid fire.

"Stop! Please!" Her vision swam as the drug took effect.

"Relax, princess. This won't kill you." His laughter echoed in her ears. "Though you might wish it did."

Evelyn's body betrayed her as the substance took hold. Sweat beaded on her forehead while the room twisted into impossible shapes.

The ceiling swirled like a whirlpool, swallowing her consciousness whole.