Chapter 802: Success

The thugs’ hideout bustled with activity. Following Adrian Hawthorne’s instructions, three of the local hooligans had rounded up several of their lecherous cronies. The promise of a free meal was all it took; the scoundrels eagerly gathered, more than willing to partake.

Bernice Spann appeared in the alleyway. CLICK, CLACK. Her high heels struck the bluestone slabs rhythmically, drawing plenty of attention. A beautiful, fashionably dressed woman naturally commanded second glances no matter where she went. Raising her chin with a reserved air, Bernice sashayed forward. From the courtyard, the peeping thugs watched her every move, their lust flaring into an unbearable itch.

“Not bad at all,” one muttered. “Women this age got the most flavor.”

The thugs exchanged knowing smirks, eagerly awaiting her arrival. This courtyard sat at the very dead end of the alley, far from any streetlights. Once night fell, they could do whatever they pleased, and no one would ever know.

KNOCK. Bernice struck the wooden frame only once before the door swung open. The other men had hidden themselves away, leaving only their boss to receive her.

As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, he shut the door behind her. A twinge of unease rippled through Bernice, but seeing only one man, she dismissed her anxiety. There were plenty of people outside in the alley. If anything happened, a single scream would alert them. Besides, she doubted this lowlife had the guts to pull anything—not unless he wanted to forfeit his payday.

“You bring the cash?” the boss asked.

“Here.”

Bernice pulled the remaining three thousand five hundred yuan from her purse and tossed it onto the table. Transaction complete. She turned to leave, but the thug called out to her.

“What’s the rush, Miss Spann? Sit down and have a cup of tea!”

“You have the wrong person.”

Trembling, Bernice felt her earlier unease spike into sheer panic. She hurried toward the exit, but the door suddenly slammed shut. A stranger beamed at her, the undisguised lust in his eyes making her skin crawl.

“I already gave you the money! What are you doing?” she shrieked. “I know Captain Grant at the police bureau! You must have a death wish!”

“We want the cash, sure, but we want the girl even more,” the boss sneered. “It’s still early, Miss Spann. Why don’t you stick around and show us brothers a good time?”

The rest of the thugs emerged from the shadows, surrounding her. They eyed her wantonly, their gazes practically stripping her bare. Bernice instinctively backed away, only to bump solid against someone’s chest. The thug behind her seized the opportunity to wrap his arms around her, groping her as he whispered vile obscenities into her ear.

“Let me go! I have plenty of money, I’ll give it all to you! MMPH—! MMPH!”

Bernice thrashed violently, trying to scream for help, but a dirty hand clamped over her mouth. Absolute despair washed over her as she stared at these repulsive, wretched men. Previously, in her bid to drive Rosalind Green to suicide out of sheer humiliation, she had intentionally hired the most hideous, nauseating scumbags she could find. Now, those very same monsters were having their way with her, completely unrestrained.

Night gradually descended. The pedestrians in the alley hurried home, leaving the streets cold and deserted. No one knew what was happening inside that isolated house.

Early the next morning, Adrian Hawthorne appeared in the alleyway. Vernon Spann trailed behind, securely guarded by Goldie Thorne. Adrian had come to witness the fate of that venomous snake, Bernice.

Inside the courtyard, Bernice lay on the ground like a corpse. Her hollow eyes were entirely devoid of life. Yet, a sliver of hope still clung to her. Ethan Hawthorne had no idea what she had endured. He definitely hadn’t gone home last night. If she could just rush back and pretend nothing had happened, she could put this whole nightmare behind her.

But—

“Later, when the streets get crowded, toss her out by Ashton Road. Tie her hands and feet, and stick this paper on the bitch.”

An unfamiliar voice drifted in from the courtyard. Bernice’s heart plummeted to the very bottom of her chest. Who wanted her dead?