“Elijah, how could you not see Dina’s true nature after she’s been by your side for so long?” Orion found it strange.
Elijah was always so vigilant. How could he have missed Dina’s true character? Initially, Dina was recommended to Elijah by Evan, and she seemed cautious in her work. Plus, Evan had always been reliable. Therefore, Elijah didn’t pay much attention to it. But he had indeed neglected it.
“Evan showed her kindness, and yet she betrayed him. She has no conscience!” Orion exclaimed.
Elijah remained calm, his expression unreadable, while Orion found it uninteresting. So, they fell silent.
Soon, the car arrived at the abandoned building and stopped amidst the overgrown grass. The person in charge of surveillance knew the exact location where Dina was being held captive, so he led the way. Broken bricks and decaying wood were scattered all over the ground. They ascended the dusty stairs and reached the second floor. Turning a corner, they could see Dina tied to a concrete pillar.
A sinister-looking man stared at Dina. “If you’re willing to give us ten million, we can release you right now.”
Dina was furious. “You’ve schemed against me. I won’t let you get away with it.”
Infuriated by her words, the mad slapped her across the face. “You’re already in my grasp, yet you dare to defy me. Do you want to die?”
Dina’s face twitched, with clear fingerprints and blood seeping from the corner of her lips. That slap from the man was full of force.
“Why waste words on her? Beat her up first!” Haley emerged from the shadows. She wanted to get money from Dina’s hands. But she also wanted revenge for what Dina had done to her.
Outside, Orion frowned, surprised by Haley’s appearance. But he quickly understood since he recognized the man. Wasn’t that guy the one she had an affair with? He thought.
Haley and Dina had always had issues. And Haley needed money. Orion heard the man ask Dina for ten million. He figured it out– Haley must have been desperate to resort to blackmailing Dina.
“Did you ever imagine that your actions would lead to this, after tarnishing my innocence and causing Orion to despise me?” Haley sneered, gripping Dina’s chin tightly. “You think you can marry Elijah and change your life? Dream on! I will destroy you just as you destroyed me!”
Orion’s eyebrows twisted in surprise. So, Haley was framed by Dina and that was the reason why she had an affair with that man.
Had he misunderstood Haley all along?
Elijah glanced at Orion. In a low voice, he asked, “What do you plan to do?”
Orion quickly understood and replied, “I’ve already divorced her. Whether she lives or dies, she has no relation to me anymore.”
Even if he knew Haley wasn’t promiscuous, he wouldn’t show any mercy; she harmed Luna, and that was true. Based on that alone, he would never forgive Haley.
“You’ve handled this quite efficiently.” Elijah commented.
Orion couldn’t tell if it was praise or mockery. He lowered his gaze slightly. Perhaps people only rise up to resist when they are pushed to a certain extent. He regretted waking up too late and causing harm to Luna.
Inside the building, Dina, tied up, didn’t deny that this man had already joined forces with Haley and had likely informed her about their deal.
“You’ve bound me, all for money. I can give you whatever you want, not just ten million, even a billion, I can provide it now,” Dina remained composed. She didn’t dare anger Haley at this point. If she lost her innocence and Elijah found out, she would be finished. She wanted to marry Elijah.
So, she had to comply to protect her innocence.
But Haley had no intentions of letting her off easily. Her life had been ruined because of Orion’s decision to divorce her. Orion was so determined to divorce her and it was all because he saw her in bed with another man. And it was all Dina’s doing!
“Even if you give me a billion, I won’t let you off easily,” Haley said, gripping Dina’s chin. “Tell me, how should I destroy you? Should I start with your unattractive face and then tarnish your innocence?”
Fear filled Dina’s heart, but she remained composed. “If you harm me, if you injure me, you won’t get a single penny.”
The man was primarily after money and didn’t want to escalate the situation. He tried to persuade Haley, “All we want is the money. She’s being cooperative, and we’re saving ourselves a lot of trouble…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Haley interrupted, “We’ve kidnapped her, extorted her. Do you think she won’t seek revenge? Do you think we’ll have peace of mind after getting the money?”
The man thought carefully and agreed with Haley. From the moment they kidnapped her, they had made an enemy. There would definitely be consequences.
“So, what do you suggest?”
Haley leaned in close to the man’s ear. ‘Let’s get the money first, and then ruin her innocence, her background. Isn’t Elijah her only support? If she loses her innocence and her looks, will Elijah still marry her?'”
The man nodded in agreement. “She wants to marry Elijah, and he’s her only support. If she loses her innocence and her beauty, why would Elijah choose her? What can she do to us then?”
Haley, feeling triumphant, took out the knife she had prepared in advance. Dina was unable to feign indifference anymore upon seeing the knife.
“Haley, don’t go too far!” Dina pleaded.
Haley laughed. “Are you finally scared? I thought you were so resolute!”
As she spoke, the cold and sharp knife fell upon Dina’s face. With a gentle swipe, a cut appeared.
Blood gushed out instantly.
“Ah-!” Dina’s scream echoed, vibrating even the surrounding air.
With a grim expression, she growled, “Haley!”
Haley reveled in her victory. She laughed heartily and said, “This is called retribution for your deeds. From the day you harmed me, this was your destined fate.”
“Ah, ah!” Dina struggled fiercely, trying to break free from the ropes.
Seeing her desperation, Haley didn’t show any mercy. She added another vertical cut to the horizontal wound on Dina’s cheek, forming a cross-shaped scar on her face. The fresh blood trickled down Dina’s cheek, staining her clothes crimson. Dina was driven to madness; she was so afraid to be disfigured.
“I’ll kill you, Haley! I’ll definitely kill you!”
“Kill me?” Haley leaned in closer. “I’m right here in front of you. Go ahead and try.”
Dina’s teeth were almost grinding to dust. Haley lifted the knife and made another cut on Dina’s right cheek. Fresh blood spilled once again. But just then, the man noticed someone outside and rushed to restrain Haley.
Haley was enjoying herself and didn’t understand why the man was stopping her. Annoyed, she asked, “What are you doing?”
The man gave her a meaningful look, gesturing for her to look outside.
Haley turned her gaze in that direction but she saw nothing.
The man hinted, “On the ground.”
There were figures on the ground. Following the man’s cue, Haley looked down. And then she saw multiple shadowy figures reflected on the ground.