Chapter 71: Chapter 71



When Joelle awoke, she found herself lying in an abandoned gas station. A thin sheet of plastic was the only thing covering her bare skin. The wind howled through the broken windows, likely the reason for her sudden return to consciousness. She quickly realized her situation was far worse than just the chill in the air. Her wrists were bound, and her legs spread apart, each ankle tied to a different table—one to her left, the other to her right.

A towel had been shoved into her mouth, muffling her cries for help. She struggled against her restraints, and the noise drew the attention of the couple standing just outside the station. Joelle’s heart raced as she widened her eyes in terror.

A dreadful thought crossed her mind: they weren’t a couple at all. Their conversation soon confirmed her fears.

“Why did she wake up so soon?” the woman asked.

“I wouldn’t know,” the man replied.

The woman paused, her face twisting into a cruel expression. “You’d better rape her now, and then we’ll leave as fast as we can!”

The man hesitated, but as soon as the woman walked away, his eyes darkened with greed.

“Relax, sweetheart. Just let me have my fun, and I’ll make it good for you too.”

gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․cøm, your destination for tales “Mm…” Joelle thrashed against the ropes, trying to scream, but the towel choked off her voice. Her legs kicked the floor in desperation, knocking over the tables, which crashed onto her thighs and fell between her legs, sending waves of pain through her body.

Tears welled up in her eyes as the man roughly pushed the tables aside, his pants already halfway down.

“Help! Help!”

She tried to cry out. The man shoved the towel deeper into her mouth, silencing her completely.

With a smirk, he stripped off his pants, ready to violate her. “Scream all you want! No one’s coming to save you!”

Joelle’s gaze darted around, searching for any escape, but all she found was despair. Tears streamed down her face as she braced for the worst.

Suddenly, a piercing scream echoed from outside, followed by the sound of the door being violently kicked open.

Adrian burst into the room, fury blazing in his eyes. The man scrambled to pull up his pants, trying to get off Joelle. Seeing that Joelle wore nothing, Adrian suddenly figured out what had happened, balled up his fist, and punched the man.

And he didn’t stop there. Seething with rage, he grabbed the man by the hair and slammed his head repeatedly against the edge of the table.

Blood splattered across the dusty floor as Joelle sobbed uncontrollably, her body trembling even as she realized she was safe.

Adrian, breathing heavily, turned to Joelle. He quickly removed his coat and approached her, his eyes softening with concern as he saw the state she was in.

Joelle, too weak and terrified to resist, allowed him to untie the ropes binding her hands and feet.

Gently, he wrapped her trembling body in his coat, his dark face heavy with unspoken emotion.

When they arrived at the door, the driver was pinning the woman to the ground.

“Mr. Miller, what should we do next? Should I call the cops?” Joelle glanced at Adrian, taking in his deep-set eyes, the sharp line of his nose, and the strength in his jaw.

“Take these two and hand them over to Michael.”

Michael was a man of few rules and many methods, especially when it came to making people talk. “Understood.”

The driver made a quick call, and soon after, Adrian and Joelle were back in the car, heading downtown.

The partition was raised, creating a private space within the vehicle. Joelle curled up in the corner, Adrian’s coat draped over her.

“We should go to the hospital for a check-up,” Adrian said, his hand smoothing her disheveled hair.

“No,” Joelle replied, shaking her head, her voice trembling with residual fear.

“Joelle, you need to get evidence as soon as possible,” Adrian insisted, pulling her into his arms.

Gradually, her trembling subsided. She looked up at him, her eyes still red but determined. “Adrian, he didn’t rape me.” Her voice held a fierce resolve.

She couldn’t remember the moments when she had been unconscious, but she knew that Adrian had arrived before the man could do anything to her. She was still intact, untouched.

“Joelle, trust me.” Adrian’s tone was firmer now, leaving no room for debate.

Suddenly, Joelle pushed him away, her voice rising in defiance. “Adrian, I’ve already told you, he didn’t rape me!”

He hesitated for a moment, then relented. “Alright, but we still need to get your injuries checked out.” Joelle pulled away, bitterness creeping into her voice. “So, in your eyes, I’m already tainted, aren’t I?”

Tears welled up as she wiped them away hastily. “I won’t go to the hospital. I know my own body—I’m definitely fine!”

She retreated to the farthest corner of the car, Adrian’s coat still carrying his scent.

With her back to him, she cried silently, wiping away the tears, convincing herself not to let anger take hold.

Even if he thought she was impure, she knew the truth. Half an hour later, the car pulled up to their house. Adrian scooped Joelle up from the seat, carrying her inside.

Leah, upon seeing Joelle’s state, was momentarily stunned but held back her questions. She quickly fetched a blanket and wrapped it tightly around Joelle.

As they walked through the hallway, Rebecca’s voice rang out, loud and incredulous. “Joelle, why aren’t you wearing any clothes?”

She said it loud enough for everyone to hear.

To Joelle’s dismay, two more figures appeared at the doorway—Lyla and Katie.

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