Chapter 79

Alex stood across from me, assessing my disheveled state. He burst into laughter. My already flushed face burned an even deeper shade of red. I wanted to disappear.

He stepped forward, taking the suitcase from my hand and placing it in the trunk. Then, one by one, he removed the remaining bags I was carrying and stuffed them into the car. Meanwhile, I teetered on the edge of a mental breakdown.

“You’re quite strong for someone your size,” he commented. “It seems you’ve built up quite a collection over four years in university,” he added. Although casual, his words stung.

I sat in the passenger seat, desperately searching for a way to salvage my image.

“When I drop you off, can you manage to get everything upstairs on your own?” Alex asked. “I have a meeting to attend.”

Relieved, I quickly waved my hands. “No problem! I’ll handle it.” After all, there was an elevator.

The car stopped in the underground garage. Alex helped me move everything to the elevator entrance before leaving. The sound of his car faded as it exited the garage, and I waited for the elevator to descend from the 33rd floor.

As the elevator neared the basement level, I grabbed a suitcase, ready to unload. The elevator doors slid open, revealing three masked men in hats. Their sharp, cold gazes fixed on me. My first instinct was to flee.

Sure enough, the three men immediately gave chase. I was certain they were targeting me; they had just exited the 23rd floor, my floor.

“Help! Somebody, help!” I screamed, frantically dialing Alex’s number.

“Hello?” he answered.

“Alex, help me!” I shouted, my voice frantic.

“Where are you?” His voice was tense; I could hear tires screeching in the background.

Just as I was about to answer, my phone slipped from my hand and fell. I had no time to retrieve it. I ran as fast as I could.

The underground garage was almost deserted. My heart pounded, but I forced myself to remain calm, scanning my surroundings. I ran toward an area with surveillance cameras, but the men seemed to anticipate my plan. They split up, approaching from three directions, trying to corner me in a camera-free zone.

My breath came in ragged gasps, my legs weak, but I knew my only chance was to keep running or break through their blockade.

“What do you want?” I shouted at one of them. “Who sent you?”

He didn’t respond. Realizing I couldn’t talk my way out of this, I decided to charge the smallest-looking man, but underestimated the strength difference. He grabbed me, and despite my struggles, I couldn’t break free.

“What are you doing! Let me go!”

“This one’s got spirit,” one of them uttered, grinning. He pulled a rope and a burlap sack from his jacket, clearly intending to tie me up and take me away.