Chapter 15
Only when Serena was on the verge of losing consciousness did Hunter finally release his grip, letting her collapse heavily onto the floor.
“Letting you die like this would be too merciful. Since you loved framing yourself for things you didn’t do, you’ll experience them all firsthand!“.
Serena lay gasping on the ground. She was certain she was done for just now. But then, as Hunter coldly pronounced her punishment, she realized death might have been kinder.
“We’ll start with you accusing Nadine of pushing you down the stairs.”
“No… please no!”
Bodyguards rushed in, dragging the trembling woman out and hurling her down the staircase. Serena immediately tumbled down with agonized screams.
They dragged her up only to throw her down again and again from the top of the 99 steps, until her bones felt shattered and blood coated every step. She begged Hunter for mercy, but he watched the spectacle with icy detachment.
“This is still not enough, Serena. This is just the beginning.” His cold, cruel words sent her spiraling into hell.
The torture only ended when she finally passed out. Her ribs were fractured in multiple places. The slightest movement brought excruciating pain.
Hunter had her hospitalized. After two weeks, they dragged her away again when her injuries were still healing. This time to the seaside.
The biting ocean wind made Serena shiver violently as she remembered her second false accusation against Nadine–how Nadine had been forced to lie in freezing waters all night. Tears streaming down her face, she clutched desperately at Hunter’s sleeve.
“I’ve learned my lesson, Hunter! Please, have mercy on me!”
But the man showed no pity. He ordered Serena tied to a heavy stone and thrown mercilessly
into the sea.
Saltwater immediately engulfed the woman. As she couldn’t swim, she choked on mouthfuls of water the moment she sank, and her lungs were burning. Just as she was about to drown, Hunter had her hauled up.
Serena gasped desperately for air, only to be plunged back under before she could take a full
breath.
Chapter 15
2/2
She lost count of how many times she blacked out during the ordeal. Each time she lost consciousness, the bodyguards slapped her awake, forcing her to endure the drowning torture
fully aware.
By dawn, the night–long torment had left Serena half–dead. Her entire body had gone icy cold, her face was bloodless, and her limbs were all numb. The soaked clothes clung tightly to her figure as Hunter suspended her publicly, indifferent to the growing crowd of onlookers.
Bystanders eagerly recorded compromising videos of her exposed state, making Serena sob helplessly. “Hunter, no more… I admit my wrongs! I’ll repent at Nadine’s grave! Please, just let me go!”
Her pitiful cries earned no sympathy from Hunter. His heavy gaze bore into her as he said, You can’t even handle this? You’ve done far worse, Serena.”
Her already pale face turned ghostly white as she seemed to realize what was coming. She began shaking her head frantically. “No… Not that…”
Hunter’s lips curled in a mocking sneer. “Oh, you’ll get your chance to visit Nadine’s grave. But first, you’ll pay for every single thing you’ve done.”
He signaled for her to be lowered and taken to a hotel, but Serena’s eyes were wild with fear. She started screaming and thrashing in terror.