Chapter 9

"Simone, are you alright?" Dustin gently pressed a warm cloth to Simone's face, asking with concern. Simone looked at him tenderly.

"I'm fine. You should check on Miss Elisa" she whispered, glancing at Elisa.

Elisa's cheeks were swollen from two slaps. She was in far worse shape than Simone. "She's just an outsider. Why should I bother? The slap wasn't nearly hard enough," Dustin said coldly. Simone opened her mouth, but said nothing. She supported Dustin; the Wyatt family, after all, had been cruel to him, kicking him out first.

Elisa, covering her face, stood by the window, listening to their conversation. Dustin's words—"outsider"—inflamed her. He'd been a Wyatt servant—how dare he act superior?

"Ungrateful brat! That bastard!" she cursed. She vowed revenge for the slap.

She watched the window for a long time, growing anxious. Why hadn't they arrived yet? How dare they disobey her order?

Minutes later, two cars entered the Langley family villa's courtyard. Elisa felt a surge of excitement.

"My people have arrived. You're going to die!" she declared ruthlessly, opening the door.

The Langley family exchanged frightened glances. They knew Elisa's underworld reputation and influence. Her delighted sneer at their fear was short-lived; Dustin remained unnervingly calm. You won't give up until the very last second, will you? she thought contemptuously.

Footsteps approached. Several people ascended the stairs.

Chapter 9

"Why are you here only now?" Elisa snapped, her face long.

They walked past her, ignoring her completely. "You" Her anger flared.

"Are you blind? Don't you see me? Who gave you the right to ignore me?!" she raged.

They ignored her, entering the villa. Elisa's face darkened; she wanted to explode. David paled, recognizing the arrivals: Ronald Quigley and the Serpentine Gang leaders—powerful figures in Rivenesco's underworld. Ronald's reputation terrified David, especially given his outstanding debt to the gang. Simone and Camille were equally terrified.

Ronald and the gang looked intimidating as they approached the Langley family. Elisa watched, sneering, her anger subsiding slightly.

David stepped forward, pleading, "Mr. Quigley, these young people don't know any better. I offended Miss Elisa; I'll take responsibility. Please don't hold it against them."

Elisa sneered, contempt and hatred etched on her face. "Bah! Who do you think you are? No matter how much you beg, I won't spare Dustin Fox and the Langley family! This is the price for those two slaps!" she spat.

"You know what to do," she barked at the Serpentine Gang.

Ronald frowned, turning to glare coldly at Elisa.

"How dare you look at me like that?!" Elisa exclaimed.

"I'll rip your mouth apart if you make any more noise!" Ronald roared.

Elisa was stunned. Was this the man who'd begged the Wyatts for her forgiveness? How dare he?

Chapter 9

Ronald turned to the Langley family, apologizing, "Mr. Langley and family, I'm here to personally apologize. I'm sorry the Serpentine Gang has bothered you."

David and Monique were stunned. Simone and Camille stared in shock.

"No, no! Please don't We don't dare We'll repay the debt!" David stammered, fearing a trick.

"You don't have to repay us. Consider it an apology," Ronald dismissed, waving his hand.

The Langley family were incredulous.

Elisa was furious and shocked. "What the hell are you doing? Did I call you here to apologize to them? Are you out of your mind?!"

Ronald's voice was cold and ruthless. "Elisa Wyatt, you're really asking for it."

A knife pressed against Elisa's neck, inches from her throat. The murderous intent froze her. Blood trickled down her neck, her face paling. "How how dare you" she stammered, feigning strength.

She couldn't understand his sudden change.

"Do you think your status as the fifth Wyatt daughter is so influential? Do you think gangsters respect you because of your charm? Elisa Wyatt, don't flatter yourself. Without that person supporting you, you're nothing. You'd have died a million times by now!"

His words stunned her. She'd enjoyed the fawning, never questioning why powerful underworld figures constantly sought forgiveness for offending her. She'd attributed it to her status and charm.

"That person? Who?" she asked, surprised.

Ronald glanced discreetly at Dustin. "That person is the most powerful person in the world. Beyond your imagination!"

Chapter 9

"Elisa, you could have been the most powerful woman in the world. Unfortunately, you ruined everything," Ronald sneered. "Without that person's protection, you're nothing!"

Elisa was dumbfounded. What powerful person? What had she ruined?

"I don't care! Catch Dustin!" she screamed wildly, consumed by rage over the slaps.

Ronald frowned. "Throw this crazy woman out!"

Two gang members dragged her away, despite her struggles and screams. She was thrown out like trash, disheveled and humiliated.

"Are you rebelling against me?!" she shrieked hysterically.

"Leave, or you won't leave at all," a leader said coldly, slicing off a lock of her hair.

Elisa staggered back, pale with fury and disbelief. Who was her secret supporter, and why had he abandoned her?

"What did I do wrong?!" she screamed as they forced her away.

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