In the remote village of Clusia, a mudslide two years prior had forced nearly all residents to relocate with the help of the government. However, two families quietly returned. Their reasons—whether they had originally lived there or simply chose the uninhabited area—remained unknown.
These two families occupied adjacent houses, with a pigsty situated between them. One evening, a middle-aged couple, their faces scarred from burns, emerged from the left house. The man carried a tablet. They approached the pigsty, switched on a light, and revealed its occupants: two pigs and two amputees, caked in pig excrement, barely recognizable as human. The couple's eyes gleamed with a chilling joy at the sight.
Their daughter had been murdered and humiliated by these two individuals, George and Meghan Gallagher. The couple sought not death, but prolonged suffering for their tormentors. They aimed to inflict both physical and emotional pain.
With a faint smile, the middle-aged man addressed the amputees, "Mr. and Ms. Gallagher, you haven't seen your family in a while. You must miss them terribly, wouldn't you say? We have news." He activated the tablet, displaying a video.
The video, a carefully edited compilation, showcased Evangeline's triumphant victory in an Xtreme Survival competition abroad. It highlighted her success, showcasing her as a national hero. The man further displayed supportive comments, news articles, and even a statement from a state spokesperson praising Evangeline and selecting her as a youth representative. The footage focused solely on Evangeline's glory and public acclaim.
George and Meghan, their eyes bloodshot, reacted with shock. The stark contrast between Evangeline's success and their own misery was unbearable. Meghan, consumed by resentment, believed she, not Evangeline, deserved the accolades and prosperity. She tried to scream, but only a hoarse rasp escaped. George, consumed by remorse, lamented his past greed and poor treatment of Evangeline. He wished for death, hating his own stubborn persistence in living. He cried out in a hoarse voice.
The middle-aged woman outside the pigsty laughed, "Honey, look how happy they are. We should show them videos of Evangeline often." The man nodded. At that moment, the couple from the other house, also bearing burn scars, emerged, joining in the morbid spectacle.
The man from the second house remarked, "They're tenacious. Still alive after all this. Their wounds haven't even infected." He added, "Do the wicked truly live long?"
His wife pondered, "I recall Evangeline's medical knowledge from the show. Perhaps she helped them while living at the Gallagher residence, ensuring their survival?" The others nodded in agreement. This explanation seemed plausible.
George and Meghan, suddenly understanding, froze. They remembered Evangeline’s special health-improving ingredients during her time with the Gallagher family, ingredients they'd previously ignored. This revelation only intensified George’s suffering—the longer he lived, the longer the torment would continue. Meghan wept and railed against God's perceived injustice.
The woman outside spat at them, her voice filled with hatred. "You bastards, atone for your sins! Evangeline was kind to you, yet you betrayed her. Now, her actions have become your punishment. You deserve this!" The four outside laughed cruelly before returning home, where they used their phones to defend Evangeline online, countering any negative comments with fury.
Although George and Meghan had been handed over by Edward, it was Evangeline’s actions that led to the Gallagher family's downfall. Without that downfall, Edward would never have given them up. The four viewed Evangeline as their benefactor, crucial to their revenge. They vowed to be her staunch defenders.
In a Nardor hotel, the following morning, Evangeline awoke to a sneeze. She opened her eyes to find Dexter, holding a strand of her hair, playfully brushing her nose. "Eva, wake up. Let's have some fun."