Chapter 418



Joanna’s eyes narrowed as she stepped closer to Kallie. Without a word, she signaled the bodyguards, who immediately forced Kallie to the floor. Joanna then pressed her heel down hard on the back of Kallie’s hand, using all her strength.

The pain shot through Kallie like a lightning bolt, causing her whole body to tremble. Her face drained of color, and the searing pain soon turned to numbness as she felt her hand go limp under Joanna’s relentless pressure.

After what felt like an eternity, Joanna finally lifted her foot, a look of twisted satisfaction on her face. She stared down at Kallie and sneered, “Who said anything about calling the police?”

Joanna released Kallie’s hand, crouched down, and pinched her chin firmly. Joanna gazed into Kallie’s tear-filled, beautiful eyes, deriving satisfaction from Kallie’s pain.

With an icy voice, Joanna declared, “You murdered my mother. I can’t just let you walk away. You’ll never leave the Martel estate alive. Don’t worry. Your murder of my mother is safe with me, but this place will be your prison for life. Let’s see how you manage to charm anyone now.”

With a dismissive wave of her hand, Joanna signaled the bodyguards, who promptly dragged Kallie away. Kallie was confined in the basement, a place shrouded in darkness where she couldn’t even see her own hands. Among the shadows lurked other sinister tools.

The confinement was so severe that Kallie struggled to move her fingers properly. She stifled her tears and attempted to steady her breathing. Joanna was unhinged, a complete madwoman. Kallie feared what Joanna might do next.

For what felt like hours, she considered who might notice her absence and rescue her. Only Jake came to mind—her last glimmer of hope.

Eventually, the basement door creaked open. Joanna entered, clutching something in her hand, and flicked on a blindingly bright light. The sudden intensity forced a sharp pain through Kallie’s eyes, jolting her toward a semblance of alertness. Instinctively, she recoiled.

Even amidst the clutter of the basement, Kallie’s beauty shone through, undiminished. This sparked a deep-seated jealousy in Joanna. Approaching Kallie with a sinister grin, Joanna remarked, “It seems beautiful women are treated differently, aren’t they? Men are ready to do whatever it takes for you. Such a shame, really.”

“What are you getting at?” Kallie responded, her voice rough and hoarse from not having spoken or drunk any water for an extended period.

Joanna’s smug smile widened as she toyed with a water bottle in her hand. “What do you think? Care for a drink?” Her tone turned taunting. “If you want some water, kneel and apologize first. You owe me and my mother an apology. You killed my mother.”

Kallie shut her eyes, resisting the allure of the water Joanna flaunted. While confined, Joanna had occasionally sent her food, but the dry cakes provided were accompanied by no water, making them nearly impossible to swallow without hydration. Deprived of water for days, Kallie found the thirst unbearable, yet she knew she must endure.

Anyone with faltering resolve would kneel on the floor and plead for the water bottle in Joanna’s grip. Kallie bit the tip of her tongue, the taste of blood filling her mouth immediately. The pain kept her alert.

“You approached me expecting me to bow in submission. If I take the blame willingly, you’ve prepared to record this and have me imprisoned. Joanna, it’s a dead end for you. Let me guess: someone came to you about me, didn’t they?”

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