Chapter 338

The man emerged from the dimly lit room, his predatory gaze locking onto Evelyn the moment he saw her. "Well, well," he purred, circling her like a shark. "What rare beauty have we caught in our nets today?"

One of his associates recognized Evelyn and quickly whispered, "Damian, that's Mr. Prescott's guest."

Damian Castillo's smirk vanished at the mention of Adrian Prescott's name. His expression darkened as he advanced toward Evelyn. "What exactly did you see in there?" he demanded, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

Evelyn met his gaze without flinching. "I saw enough to know your 'legitimate business' has a very dark underbelly. Those women didn't come here willingly, did they?"

Damian threw back his head and laughed, the sound devoid of any real humor. "Sharp little thing, aren't you?" His eyes turned glacial. "Pity you won't be leaving to tell anyone about it. A prize like you will fetch an excellent price."

With a snap of his fingers, his men moved to surround her.

Evelyn's lips curled in a cold smile. "You'll have to catch me first."

The moment the words left her mouth, three hulking figures lunged forward. Evelyn's eyes narrowed as she shifted into a defensive stance. Her leg shot out in a blur, connecting with precise brutality against their kneecaps.

The men stumbled back, howling in pain.

Damian's eyes gleamed with perverse excitement. "Oh, this one's got fight in her!" He cracked his knuckles and stepped forward himself.

His attacks came fast and vicious, forcing Evelyn on the defensive within seconds. But she spotted his tell - a slight favoring of his left side. Seizing her chance, she twisted and delivered a devastating kick between his legs.

The effect was immediate.

Damian doubled over, his face turning purple. "Get her!" he wheezed. "Don't let her escape!"

More men poured into the hallway. Evelyn knew she couldn't take them all. Spotting a gap, she bolted for the exit - only to find the steel door locked tight.

"Run all you want, sweetheart," Damian gasped, still clutching himself as his men closed in. "There's nowhere to go."

Evelyn's fingers brushed against the emergency transmitter hidden in her watch. "Human trafficking carries a life sentence," she said coldly. "You'll rot in prison for this."

Her words were met with raucous laughter. "In Frenda?" one thug sneered. "The law doesn't touch people like us. You're just another pretty face to be sold."

"Tie her up with the others," Damian ordered, finally straightening. "We move the shipment by boat at dawn."

Evelyn didn't resist as rough hands bound her wrists. She'd already decided - she wasn't just escaping. She was taking every one of those women with her.

They shoved her into a windowless room where frightened women huddled together. Most barely glanced up at her arrival, their spirits broken. But Evelyn's sharp eyes were already mapping the space.

The route she'd taken wound through hidden passages - cleverly concealed and soundproofed. No wonder no one outside heard the screams.

"Where are you all from?" Evelyn asked softly. Two women immediately burst into tears.

"Shhh," Evelyn soothed. "I'm getting you out of here."

Their hollow laughter cut deeper than any blade. "No one escapes," one whispered. "No one."