Chapter 390

Hush!

A splash of icy water jolted Evelyn back to consciousness. Her vision swam into focus.

The throbbing pain in her temple made her bite back a whimper.

"Still kicking, I see." The guard tossed the empty bucket aside with a clatter. "People don't actually die from hitting walls in real life. What a joke! Death doesn't come that easy!"

"Now what? This bitch won't crack unless we get serious," his partner muttered, cracking his knuckles.

Evelyn lifted her chin defiantly, her fear now crystallized into pure, unadulterated hatred.

Every cruel act from Dominic only hardened her resolve. She'd take the secret of her children's paternity to her grave before letting that monster near them! Better an orphanage than the devil himself as their father!

The guards huddled together, whispering. One suddenly yanked her forward by the hair, making her cry out.

"Listen here, Miss Thorne," he sneered. "Pretty thing like you could snag any rich bastard you want. Why die for this? Just tell us what you said to Madam Eleanor. Spill it, and we'll let you go."

Evelyn's vision blurred dangerously. The impact had left her concussed, though not fatally.

Death held no terror for her. Their threats were meaningless.

Her stony silence infuriated them. "Damn stubborn bitch needs proper motivation!" one spat.

Just then, heavy footsteps echoed through the chamber. Dominic stormed in, his expression thunderous.

"Where is she?!" His voice cracked like a whip.

The lead guard scrambled to explain. "Sir, she's... resilient. The python didn't work - she smashed her head against the wall instead! But don't worry, we're switching to freeze tactics now. Followed by burning. Double the pain—"

Dominic's gut twisted. She'd tried to kill herself?! The thought lanced through him like a blade.

"Sir, give us three days. We'll break her—"

"Idiots!" Dominic roared, kicking the man aside. "Bring her out NOW!"

The guards exchanged confused glances. Was the boss impatient? Did he want to handle the torture himself?

They hurried to the freezer, untying the nearly frozen woman.

As the door opened, an arctic gust swept through the chamber. Dominic's throat tightened.

How long had she been in there? What had they done to her?

He wouldn't admit it was regret gnawing at him. But the memory of her laughter, her warmth, her delicate hands in his—it was driving him mad.

The guards dragged Evelyn's limp form forward. "Still breathing, sir! Just unconscious from the cold!"

Dominic's sharp gaze took in every detail—the ice coating her hair and clothes, the frozen blood on her forehead. The ghastly pallor of her skin against the crimson stain.