Chapter 24

A sinister smile slowly curled at the corners of Candy Wilson's lips. She tilted her head, her gaze methodically scanning Susan Thompson's pale face. Her usually sweet features twisted into something grotesque.

The hatred came without reason.

Just like her hatred for Susan.

Susan had never harmed her. In fact, she had extended a helping hand during Candy's lowest moments. Yet the hatred festered. As a child, she despised Susan's breathtaking beauty. Now, she loathed the woman who haunted Vincent King's every thought—the real "Candy."

"Nicole's orders..."

Candy dragged out her words, her saccharine voice now dripping with icy malice. "Chop off her fingers and feed them to the dogs!"

The bodyguard beside her shuddered but bowed his head obediently. "As you wish, Miss Wilson."

"As for this woman..."

Candy cast a disgusted glance at the barely conscious Susan. "Throw her back where she came from."

Susan was dumped unceremoniously back at Willow Lane Apartments.

Unlike when she left, she now lay sprawled on the cold floor, drenched in blood. Candy's men had hastily bandaged her wounds, the gauze already seeping crimson.

But she felt no pain.

The agony in her stomach and the searing torment of her severed finger had made her black out the moment she left the dungeon.

When she woke again, it was dawn. If not for the throbbing pain in her left hand, she might have believed the nightmare never happened.

She couldn't believe that Vincent—the man who had promised to protect her—had personally ordered her finger severed.

Her phone was still in her pocket. Trembling, she clutched it with her right hand, considering calling the police.

But the King family ruled Harbor City with an iron grip, and with the Bowman family's influence, it would be futile. More importantly... she still couldn't forget the boy who had once fought alongside her for survival.

Gritting her teeth, she forced herself up. She hadn't eaten in a day. If this continued, her stomach cancer would claim her life even sooner.

Living was exhausting—physically and emotionally. But she had to endure. Every extra day she survived meant one more chance to secure Daniel's surgery funds.

Just as she finished cooking a bowl of sweet corn porridge, the doorbell rang urgently.

Susan tensed, fearing Vincent's men had come for more retribution. But when she opened the door, she found Bella Quinn standing there, her face covered in bruises.

Her best friend turned her face slightly, but even thick foundation couldn't conceal the injuries.

"Susan, here's $150,000." Bella shoved a bulging paper bag into her hands. "I know it's not enough, but I'll figure something out."

Susan suddenly grabbed Bella's left wrist—the jade bracelet she never took off was missing.

"You sold your bracelet?"

Bella avoided her gaze. "I... never liked wearing jewelry anyway."

"You're lying!" Susan's voice trembled. That bracelet was a gift from Bruce Bowman for Bella's eighteenth birthday. She had worn it for seven years without ever removing it.

"Susan, don't." Bella forced a smile. "I don't love Bruce anymore. He gave me away to someone else. Clinging to him would just make me pathetic. I refuse to be pathetic."

Susan pulled her into a tight embrace.

This kind-hearted girl deserved the greatest love story. At eight years old, Bella had rescued a little boy from earthquake rubble. He gave her a jade pendant and promised to marry her when they grew up.

But the pendant was lost, and the promise shattered. By the time she became the Bowman family's adopted daughter, Bruce already had Michelle Thompson by his side.

A month ago, Bella was framed for seducing Bruce at his engagement party. Michelle jumped into the sea and broke both legs. Bruce, consumed by hatred, married Bella off to the sadistic cripple Simon Finch as punishment.

"Simon isn't that bad, really." Bella forced another smile. "Susan, we'll both be okay."

Susan stayed silent. She knew her life was on borrowed time and didn't want to burden her friend further.

Just as she was about to change the subject, Bella suddenly grabbed her left hand.

"Where's your finger?!"

Beneath the loose bandage, the tip of her pinky was unmistakably missing.

"Was it Nicole? I'll kill her!" The usually gentle Bella's eyes turned red with rage as she stormed into the kitchen and grabbed a cleaver.

Susan yanked her back. "It was Vincent. But I don't care anymore. Bella, my time is running out—"

"Don't say that!" Tears streamed down Bella's face. "We're going to the hospital right now!"

As they moved toward the door, the phone on the table suddenly buzzed violently.