Chapter 82
Ellie slowly came to amidst a wave of pain. When she realized a strange man was staring at her with predatory eyes, she screamed in fear.
Taking advantage of his distraction, she attacked his eyes with her hands. The man, in pain, slapped Ellie hard, causing her to fall into the pool, disoriented.
She struggled desperately in the water, gasping for help as it flooded her lungs, making it hard to breathe. Helplessly, she watched as two men approached her.
Just as Ellie felt she was about to suffocate, someone yanked her hair, followed by a stinging slap across her face. Her skin went numb from the pain, her head spinning, and a ringing sound filled her ears.
“You slut, you almost poked my eyes out! I’m going to kill you!” the terrifying voice came from above as the man forced Ellie under the water.
As her awareness started fading and she felt close to death, she was yanked up by her hair to the surface, only to be slapped again and again. This repeated so many times that Ellie eventually had no strength left.
Closing her eyes, she sank beneath the water again, her mind floating to the image of a sharply handsome face—sometimes smiling, sometimes frowning, sometimes angry, and sometimes silent…
What a shame! After trying so hard, now, at the brink of death, all she could think about was him. In the end, she still couldn’t push him out of her heart.
She couldn’t swim, and facing the repeated torment from the two men, Ellie had no strength left to call for help.
When the man shoved her under the water again, she desperately gripped the pool ladder that was still above water, closing her eyes in hopelessness.
No matter how much the man yelled at her, hit her, or pulled her hair, she just wouldn’t let go. Better to sink down than be humiliated like this. At least I can remain pure!
Thinking about the time she first joined the Warren family, she often felt homesick, missing her parents and brother, and would cry silently in her closet.
Then Nancy found her and took her into their room. When she saw Carlos’s serious face, she got scared and cried even more when she was handed over to Evan, the butler.
Feeling helpless, one night, Nancy carried her into Alex’s room and placed her on his bed.
She would never forget Alex’s expression at that moment. Even though he looked annoyed, he still tucked her in, warning her with a frown, “If you wet the bed, I’ll spank you!”
How strange! Ellie thought to herself, and as she pondered, the pain suddenly disappeared.
“Ellie!”
When Alex rushed in, he saw Ellie being harassed by two naked men who were pulling her hair and shouting at her. Layton was also shocked by the scene and hurried forward to stop Alex, but Alex’s men had already rushed in.
“Alex!” he called.
Layton saw Alex pick up the fruit knife from beside the pool and jump in. He realized those two fools were in big trouble.
Suddenly, screams like those of pigs being slaughtered echoed from the pool, and bright red blood quickly spread through the water.
When Alex lifted Ellie out of the water and saw her barely covered body marked with bruises, his eyes turned red with anger. He gently laid Ellie on the edge of the pool, removed his wet jacket to cover her, and immediately began first aid.
He pressed firmly on Ellie’s chest, occasionally bending down to give her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
“Ellie, wake up!” Alex, dripping wet and with tears in his eyes, knelt beside her, calling her name over and over. He didn’t even notice that his voice was shaking.
Soon, Ellie spat out some water and slowly came to.
“Let go of me!” she cried.
Ellie felt strong arms wrap tightly around her, warm breath on her neck, making her scream in fright as she struggled desperately.
Alex held her close, saying, “It’s okay, Ellie! It’s me! Open your eyes and look, it’s me!”
Hearing the familiar voice above, Ellie slowly opened her eyes. Seeing Alex’s face so close, his eyes bloodshot, she trembled as tears streamed down her face.
“Alex,” she whispered.
“It’s okay,” Alex said, holding her even tighter.
When Haley and the others arrived, they saw Alex drenched, kneeling by the poolside, holding Ellie tightly. He pressed his forehead against hers, repeatedly whispering her name.
“It’s okay now.”
Behind Alex, the pool was a vivid red, the scent of blood filling the entire villa.
“Let’s go back,” Alex said, lifting Ellie and leaving promptly.
Haley suppressed her discomfort and followed. “Alex, I’ll come with you. Since Ellie’s a girl, it’ll be easier for me to look after her.”
Alex walked quickly. “It won’t be a problem.”
After Alex refused her offer, Haley walked with them to the car. When she turned back, she saw that Layton had already arranged for the injured men to be taken to the hospital.
Haley stopped Layton. “Did something happen to Ellie with those two?” she asked.
“If you want to know, ask Alex. He got there before I did,” Layton said and walked off.
