I woke up in an unfamiliar place. I instinctively covered my nose as the sharp smell of cigarette smoke hit me.
"Good morning."
I lifted my gaze to see Mr. Jim standing in front of me, calmly taking a drag from his cigarette. He was leaning against the sofa, completely at ease. I tried to stand up—to get away—but my body suddenly gave way. I crashed hard onto the cold concrete floor. Only then did I feel it—the pain and tightness of my hands and feet bound behind my back.
"Let me go!" I screamed.
He only laughed and shook his head.
"Tsk. Tsk. How pitiful. You know, if you had just believed me back then and stayed out of our family's problems, you wouldn't be here now. But you're just as stubborn as your mother—just like her!"
He angrily flicked his cigarette away and strode toward me, grabbing my face and forcing me to look up at him.
"Do you know how my blood boils every time I see that face of yours?" he snarled. "Because it reminds me of how your mother betrayed me."
He shoved my face away violently.
"You bastard," I whispered, my voice shaking but filled with hatred.
He let out a sarcastic laugh.
"I never imagined you'd become such a crucial part of my plans. I wonder what my beloved nephew's reaction will be when he sees you like this."
"You monster! Don't drag him into this!"
"But he's the reason you're here, Gianna." He tilted his head, amused. "Hmm… how about a deal? You in exchange for Golden Scenery? Wow. That's perfect. Where's my phone? Give me my phone."
One of his men handed him his cellphone. He took several photos of me, laughing as he did.
"Smile… perfect."
Moments later, his phone rang.
"Easy there," he chuckled. "Don't you like my gift?"
I could hear Francis shouting on the other end of the line.
"Don't come here!" I screamed.
Mr. Jim immediately moved closer to me.
"Did you hear that?" he said into the phone. "If you want your girlfriend back, come here. Three p.m. And don't you dare bring anyone with you—or she dies."
"Please! Don't come here!" I cried, but he slapped me hard across the face.
"Shut up," he snapped. "And before anything else… make sure you're ready to give up your company the moment you step onto my territory."
He ended the call and left me there, guarded by his men. All I could do was cry—pray that Francis would change his mind, that he wouldn't come for me.
But I was wrong.
My head snapped up when I heard shouting outside the door. I couldn't see who it was, but I knew—Francis was there.
"Where is she?!"
"Hey… calm down."
"I said, where is she?! Don't you dare drag her into this, Uncle Jim! I'm the one you want, right? Let her go!"
"Give me back my company first, Mr. Francis Locan."
"In your fucking dreams."
My eyes widened as a series of gunshots exploded outside.
"Find him! Bring him to me!" Mr. Jim shouted.
Panic surged through me as the door burst open and Mr. Jim stormed in.
"Take her!" he ordered.
They yanked me to my feet and dragged me along as gunfire echoed all around us.
"Let me go—"
"Shut up!" one of them snapped, slapping me.
"Take her upstairs. Now!" Mr. Jim commanded.
They hauled me upward, but we were stopped by Nayumi. She rushed toward Mr. Jim, tears streaming down her face.
"Daddy… please stop. Don't let it go this far. Please, come back to me."
She even knelt in front of him—but he ignored her.
"Get out of here, Nayumi. Don't interfere with my business."
"Daddy, please—"
"Get her out of here. Now!" he barked to one of his men.
Nayumi had no choice but to cry as she was dragged away. I tried to struggle free, but they were too strong.
A bullet whizzed past us, narrowly missing. We all froze. It was Asher and Carl.
"That's enough, Uncle Jim!" Sir Asher shouted. "Don't drag innocent people into this!"
Gunfire erupted again. Mr. Jim shoved me toward his men.
"Take her away! You—and the rest of you—kill them!"
They dragged me in another direction as Mr. Jim exchanged gunfire with Sir Asher. Carl followed close behind.
I screamed as the deafening sound of gunshots rang in my ears, causing the man holding me to stumble and fall. Carl rushed to me, quickly undoing the restraints binding my hands and feet. Despite the pain, I forced myself to run.
"Francis—where is he?" I asked desperately when we were close to the gate.
"You need to leave, Gianna," Carl said, pushing me forward.
I turned back. "No. We leave together! Where's Francis?"
"He's still inside. But you need to run—now. Get away from here. We'll handle this."
"No, Carl. Please. Let's leave together."
"Gianna, don't be stubborn."
"Carl—ahhh!"
I screamed as a bullet flew past me.
"And where do you think you're going?" the leader of Mr. Jim's men snarled.
Carl pulled me behind him.
"On three… run outside. Understand?" he whispered.
Terrified, I nodded.
He aimed his gun at the enemy.
"One…"
"Give the woman back to me, Carl," the man ordered.
"I don't think so," Carl replied.
"Two…"
"Three—run, Gianna!"
He shoved me forward. I ran—but my body slammed into the concrete as a burning pain tore through my right shoulder.
Blood instantly soaked my arm, and I nearly cried out from the agony. I turned to see Carl running toward me—his arm also bleeding. He collapsed beside me.
I reached for him, but froze when I saw a gun pointed at us.
It was Mr. Jim.
"His treasure needs to die," he said coldly.
I clung to Carl, eyes squeezed shut, tears streaming down my face. In that moment, I waited for the end. I waited for the bullet to hit my head.
But instead—Mr. Jim fell to the ground.
Moments later, police officers rushed in and surrounded us.
"Search the entire house! Take him away!"
Relief crashed over me when I heard Francis's voice calling my name as he ran toward me.
"I'm here."
He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly as I broke down, sobbing against his chest.