Chapter 389

After a brief hesitation, Dominic spun on his heel. His bodyguard immediately understood the unspoken command and seized Evelyn by the arm.

The grand hall plunged into deafening silence.

Evelyn didn't scream or struggle. She simply vanished from his sight. Just like years ago, she disappeared from his life without a sound.

The guards dragged her down to the underground cellar.

The dim space reeked of damp concrete and rusted metal. Strange scratching noises echoed through the narrow passageway as they walked.

A metallic tang of blood hung thick in the air.

Five minutes later, the guard shoved her violently forward.

Evelyn stumbled, her palms landing on something wet and sticky. Terror shot through her veins. Grass. She'd touched artificial turf soaked with... something foul.

"Miss Thorne," the guard sneered, "why don't you turn around?"

Evelyn's blood ran cold as she came face to face with a massive python. Its forked tongue flicked out, tasting her fear.

"Know why we keep it so healthy?" The guard crouched beside her, grinning. "Human flesh is its favorite diet."

Evelyn's entire body trembled uncontrollably.

"Consider this a mercy," the guard whispered, tracing a finger along her jaw. "No plucking your eyes out. No cutting off fingers. Just one quick swallow and it's over. Unless..."

He grabbed her chin roughly. "Unless you tell me what you said to Madam Eleanor. Otherwise, I'll let it nibble on that pretty face of yours first."

Evelyn jerked away with sudden strength, slamming headfirst into the concrete wall.

"Damn it!" The guard scrambled to check her pulse as blood gushed from her forehead. "Is she dead?"

His partner rushed over. "Mr. Blackwood will skin us alive if she dies down here!"

Meanwhile, Dominic paced the mansion's grand hall, glancing at the antique clock for the third time. His chief security officer cleared his throat.

"Sir, Miss Thorne's constitution is weak. The cellar environment might be... excessive."

"I want her to suffer!" Dominic snapped, though his jaw tightened. "That stubborn woman needs to learn her place."

"With all due respect, sir, the men might get carried away. Perhaps I should—"

Before he could finish, Dominic was already striding toward the cellar entrance, his polished shoes clicking sharply against the marble floors.