Chapter 3

Charlotte was stunned for a good ten seconds.

Then she dramatically clutched her stomach and burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! Samantha, have you gone mad from the shock?"

The security guards behind her joined in the raucous laughter.

"The boss warned us that his ex-wife had some mental problems, severe delusions."

"Yeah, she played the CEO's wife for a few years and now really thinks she's the daughter of a billionaire? Talk about getting too into character!"

"I think she's watched too many TV dramas and her brain's fried!"

The mockery and ridicule of the crowd washed over me like a tidal wave.

The smug look on Charlotte's face grew even stronger, as if my "crazy talk" further proved her victory and my pitiful state.

She seemed to have gained tremendous confidence and gave a signal with her eyes.

Those burly security guards immediately understood and barged into the room behind me.

Henry, who had just fallen asleep under the effects of a sedative, was roughly dragged out of bed.

"Don't hit me, don't hit me, I don't want to go to the forest!"

My brother struggled and cried out in terror at this sudden turn of events.

I stumbled, trying to stand up, but was forcefully held down by someone nearby.

Charlotte walked over leisurely and gently patted Henry's pale little face.

"Poor little fool, don't be afraid."

Her voice made my brother's fear instantly reach its peak.

"Ahhh!"

He screamed and broke free from the security guard's grip, then began frantically banging his head against the wall and violently punching himself.

This was the self-harming behavior he only exhibited when extremely frightened and in pain.

"Henry! No!"

My heart felt like it was about to shatter. I rushed over without hesitation and held him in my arms.

"Don't be scared, Henry. Don't be scared. Your sister is here!"

I looked at the group of beasts around us with sneering faces, my lips almost bitten through.

"I swear, you'll all regret ever being born into this world!"

Charlotte curled her lip in disdain, her eyes full of contempt.

"The crazy woman still dares to talk tough."

"Looks like we need to use some special methods on you two lunatic siblings."

She waved her hand elegantly, and several henchmen immediately surrounded us.

"I think you just need to be taught a lesson! The boss was too soft-hearted because of your marriage, but I'm not so kind."

"Take them both back to Devil's Grove."

I angrily tried to resist but was firmly pinned down by two tall security guards, unable to move.

Charlotte personally searched out my phone, playing with it smugly in her hand.

"Let's see who can save you this time."

My brother and I were dragged out of the resort.

Just as I was at my wit's end, a piercing screech of brakes rang out.

A black SUV stopped in front of us.

A figure I knew all too well stepped out.

It was Robert Zhang.

One of the board members of my father's company, an elder with close ties to our family.

"Uncle Robert?"

The moment I saw him, it was like seeing a lifeline.

Robert Zhang's face was also filled with shock when he saw me restrained.

"Samantha? What's going on? Why are you here?"

Before I could respond, Charlotte immediately went over and linked arms with Robert, whispering in his ear.

I stared intently at Robert's face, watching his expression change from shock to hesitation, and finally to viciousness.

The whole process took no more than ten or fifteen seconds.

The look in his eyes when he turned back to me no longer held any of the kindness from before, only ice-cold murderous intent.

"Do as she says," he ordered coldly to the security guards who were still hesitating.

The guards hesitated a bit.

After all, my identity was what it was. They couldn't help but be somewhat wary.

Robert saw through their thoughts and immediately added a strong incentive.

"Five million dollars each when it's done."

"If anything goes wrong, I, Robert Zhang, will take full responsibility."

Where there are great rewards, there will be brave people - and no conscience or scruples left.

The last trace of hesitation in their eyes was completely replaced by naked greed.

My brother and I were roughly grabbed by the neck and pushed step by step towards the entrance of the primeval forest.

My heart sank like a stone, completely numb.

Looking up, I saw Lucas impatiently swatting away mosquitoes at the entrance.

He glanced at me, clearly already knowing everything, or rather, orchestrating it all.

He stared at me with a half-smile, still pretending to be the perfect husband.

"Darling, why are you being so disobedient?"

His voice was gentle, but it sent chills down my spine.

"We only needed your idiot brother to return to nature."

He walked towards me step by step, the smile on his face gradually twisting as he shed all pretense.

That handsome face I had kissed countless times was now exceptionally hideous.

"Since you're seeking death, I'm afraid you'll have to accompany him on his journey."

I stared at him coldly.

"Lucas, do you know what you're doing? Stop this immediately!"

He shook his head contemptuously.

"Samantha, no one will know what happened here."

"The lives of you and your brother will end with a casually explained accident."

I looked at this beast in human skin before me, my heart turning to ash.

I knew he would never let me go.

I suppose this outcome was inevitable from the moment he learned that most of the family shares would go to my brother.

I looked at my poor brother, my heart filled with sorrow.

It was all my fault for not seeing through this scumbag's true nature sooner. I never imagined my brother would be implicated as well.

"Lucas, I'm begging you, let Henry go. He's just a child! He doesn't know anything!"

"Take my portion, it's enough for you to live lavishly for the rest of your life."

Lucas burst into hysterical laughter.

"Let him go?"

"What would I get if I let him go?!"

His eyes flashed with extreme malice.

"Samantha Yates, why should you get billions handed to you with the snap of a finger?"

"I've been wagging my tail and begging like a dog, watching how everyone in your Yates family looks at me!"

He grabbed my hair roughly.

"Now it's finally my turn. I'm not stupid enough to give up such a good opportunity!"

"Once you're dead, Robert will work with the board to put me in charge. I want it all, dammit!"

He pushed me away in disgust. We were taken back into the depths of the primeval forest by the group of security guards.

This time, my brother and I were tied together to that eerie Devil's Grove tree. The hard bark dug painfully into my back.

The coarse rope cut into our flesh, bringing searing pain.

Looking at the group conspiring nearby, I couldn't help but shout angrily.

"Lucas! How has my family wronged you? Henry trusted you so much, how can you bear to do this?"

"I turned you from a penniless nobody into a CEO worth hundreds of millions. Wasn't that enough?"

He viciously cut off my words.

"Enough? It will never be enough!"

"I've been slaving away for your Yates family all these years. I thought I'd at least get a chance to enter Yates Corporation!"

"But just because you can't have children, that old geezer in your family wants to transfer over 50% of the shares to this idiot behind you who doesn't even know what money is!"

He roared, pointing at my trembling brother.

"Why?! I refuse to accept this!"

Robert Zhang behind him also chimed in ominously.

"Mr. Martin is right, Samantha. You can't blame us."

"The old man's decision has left the board very disheartened..."

"As long as we sacrifice you two siblings, we'll all have good days ahead!"