Chapter 2

2

The people in the crowd backed away as if I were something contagious.

Bianca's triumph was written all over her face. Her sharp, red nails pointed directly at me.

"The Sterling family is the law in Rivercrest! Offending me means offending the entire city!"

A tidal wave of rage crashed over me.

I had only stepped down from the CEO position to let Silas lead because I thought he cared for our family. I wanted to be a present mother.

But he was out here keeping a mistress with my money. And now, my money was being used to pay for my daughter's life.

He was truly asking for a slow death.

But Ava was in immediate danger. I didn't have time to argue with this woman.

I forced my anger down, clenching my fists until my knuckles turned white. Slowly, I dropped to my knees.

"Miss Hartley, I was blind. I shouldn't have crossed you."

"Please, I'm begging you. Just let my daughter go."

The woman thought my submission was a sign of pure terror. She pointed at her expensive shoes with a haughty look.

"Lick my shoes clean."

My ears rang. I thought I had misheard her.

In all my years, no one had ever dared to humiliate me like this.

She snapped at me again. "Are you deaf? I told you to lick my shoes!"

Suddenly, a cry of agony from my daughter pierced the air.

A snake had bitten her arm. If she didn't get to a hospital soon, she wouldn't make it.

I cast aside my dignity and my pride. I reached out and did what she asked.

I licked the sole of Bianca's shoe.

My tongue felt raw and the taste was foul, but I gritted my teeth and finished.

Bianca kicked me away with a look of pure disgust.

"Your spit is revolting. Silas bought me these, and now they're tainted by your filth!"

I ignored the insult, my voice trembling with urgency. "Can you let her go now?"

I stared at her, my eyes burning with a fire that could have reduced the whole zoo to ashes.

Bianca smiled wickedly. She leaned in and whispered in my ear.

"I was just playing with you. You actually took me seriously?"

My blood ran cold.

The emotions I had been suppressing finally exploded. I lunged at her like a cornered beast.

In the chaos, my nails caught her cheek, leaving a deep scratch.

"Ahhh!" she shrieked, the sound vibrating in my ears.

"Are you all useless? Fix this! Pin her down!"

"Beat her! Beat her to death!"

The guards, terrified of her wrath, swarmed me.

Fists rained down on my body like a hailstone.

It didn't take long before I was bruised, bloody, and struggling to breathe.

Bianca watched my suffering with a satisfied smirk.

She stepped on my palm with her sharp stiletto, grinding it into the dirt.

I gasped, the pain making my vision blur.

"Security! Break her left hand! She had the nerve to scratch me, she doesn't need it!"

The guards held me flat against the ground. A sickening "crack" echoed through the air.

My left hand was snapped. It hung limp and useless at my side.

The agonizing pain nearly made me pass out.

Suddenly, a man's voice called out from the distance.

"What's going on here?"

Relief washed over me for a split second. I looked up.