Chapter 3

Vivian let out a derisive laugh.

Gerald turned his gaze towards me. "Bethany, if you admit your mistake now, I can still give you another chance..."

Before he could finish, I dropped to my knees.

Blood immediately surged forth, and the sharp pain made my vision blur.

"Are you crazy?!" Gerald's eyes turned red with shock.

I disregarded his presence and slowly propelled myself forward, acutely aware of the unmistakable sensation of debris grinding into my flesh.

Halfway through the journey, a sharp piece of glass became embedded in my kneecap.

I let out a muffled groan, hearing Gerald's breath grow suddenly heavier.

I let the blood trail down my leg, leaving a long streak behind.

By the time I finally knelt before him, my entire white dress was soaked with blood.

"Are you that desperate to leave me?!" Gerald grabbed my chin with such force it felt like he might crush the bone. "Answer me!"

I spat out a mouthful of blood, staring directly into his bloodshot eyes. "Yes."

That single word seemed to trigger something.

He abruptly released me, letting out a chilling laugh.

"Fine, very well." He let go, "Someone, take her to the predator pit."

Two bodyguards immediately grabbed me.

The wound on my knee was jostled, and the pain made my vision go black, but I gritted my teeth and stayed silent.

Vivian chuckled softly, lightly linking her arm with his.

Gerald shook her off abruptly, leaning down to whisper in my ear, "Bethany, the beasts there are fierce, they can jump a meter high with ease. I'll give you one last chance. Reconcile with me, and Jeffry's ashes will be at your disposal. Otherwise... I'll show you what a true beast can do."

I smirked, "You're worse than any beast."

That completely enraged him.

"Take her away!" he shouted, "Hang her on the lift! I want to see these beasts teach an unruly woman a lesson!"

Vivian sidled up again, "Mr. Davis, these beasts are very sensitive to the smell of blood~"

"What do you know?" Gerald lit a cigarette, "A bit of hardship will remind her of my worth."

...

The iron gate of the predator pit slammed shut behind me.

I was tied to the lift's ropes, with a dozen pairs of hungry beast eyes below me.

The scent of blood filled the air, inciting them to growl incessantly.

"The rules are simple." Gerald's icy voice came through the speaker, "One hour. Survive, and you'll get Jeffry's ashes back."

The lift began to descend slowly.

When the first starving leopard with green eyes leapt up, I could even smell the stench of rotting meat from its mouth.

Its rough tongue scraped across my cheek, leaving a burning pain.

I curled my body desperately, but the ropes restricted all movement.

Then, a lion's sharp claws slashed across my calf, tearing open the already mangled wound.

Blood dripped down, and the beasts' eyes turned frenzied.

"Mr. Davis! She's losing too much blood!" a staff member's terrified voice came through the intercom, "These beasts will go even crazier with the scent of blood!"

Gerald's cold laughter echoed through the speaker, "What's there to fear? The rope is sturdy."

Just then, the strongest white tiger leapt up fiercely, its fangs almost grazing my throat.

I instinctively leaned back, hearing something tear.

The lift began to shake violently.

"Pull her up quickly!" Gerald shouted in a panic into the intercom.

But the rope had been sliced by someone, leaving a thin line.

With a crisp "snap," I plummeted rapidly.

In the last moment, I saw the beasts leaping excitedly, their gaping mouths just inches away.

Tears streaming down my face, I closed my eyes.

I murmured, "Jeffry, mommy's coming to join you."

"Bang!"

A deafening gunshot shattered the night sky.

Vivian's terrified voice came through the speaker, "Mr. Davis, there are a lot of fighter jets nearby, it seems we're surrounded by mercenaries and gangsters!"

At that moment, 108 armored vehicles broke through the wall, crashing inside.

My brothers, armed with submachine guns, fired bullets that landed precisely at the feet of each beast.