Chapter 5

The scent of Chloe's perfume on Julian was even stronger now.

Before I could speak, he stepped forward and snatched my suitcase away.

His eyes were filled with impatience, assuming I was still playing hard to get.

"Stop acting out. Chloe just came up with a new rope design. Go over and help her practice."

"If you behave well and make her happy, I might reconsider the baby thing."

I used to desperately want his baby because I loved him to death.

But now, I looked him dead in the eye and said calmly, "I don't want your baby anymore. And I will never be her guinea pig again."

"Since you love helping her so much, why don't you go keep her company for the rest of her short life?"

Right then, the System's voice chimed in my head.

"The twelve-hour countdown to departure has begun."

My rejection completely infuriated Julian.

He violently kicked my suitcase, sending it sliding across the floor. His face was ice-cold.

"I knew you wouldn't listen. I've already sent men to pick up your mother."

Hearing the word "mother," my heart seized.

In this strange world, my mother, Sarah, was my only comfort.

During the countless nights Julian had left me alone, she was the one who stayed by my side.

She gently healed my loneliness and anxiety.

She was the only person I cared about in this world.

I rushed forward to stop him. "Don't you dare touch my mom!"

Julian grabbed my arm. His grip was like iron, his voice cold and commanding.

"You don't get a say in this."

He dragged me out of the penthouse and threw me into his car.

The car sped through the city and finally stopped at the underground warehouse of Chloe’s private estate.

The warehouse was dimly lit. When I looked up, I saw my mother hanging from the ceiling by ropes.

Her limbs were tied tightly, and her face was deathly pale.

I screamed, trying to run over to untie her, but Julian held me back firmly.

"Chloe has no interest in hurting an old lady. If you want to save your mother, take her place."

Looking at my mother’s agonizing state, I bit my lip and nodded.

A smug smile spread across Chloe's face.

"Smart girl. Once I'm pregnant with Julian's baby, I'll need to rest. This will probably be my last session."

With that, she began tying my limbs.

Julian quickly pushed her aside, telling her not to exhaust herself and that he would handle the rest.

Rough ropes were wrapped tightly around my skin, squeezing my waist and chest.

My blood flow was cut off, and a suffocating feeling washed over me.

My limbs gradually went numb and freezing cold.

The torture went on for what felt like eternity.

My face turned paper-white, and my body shook uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Julian was about to call it off, but Chloe held his arm to stop him.

"The time isn't up yet."

Then, she pressed her hand to her forehead, looking weak.

"Julian, I feel so dizzy and hot... Do you think it's because of my illness?"

All of Julian's attention immediately shifted to her.

Filled with worry, he carefully scooped Chloe into his arms and rushed out of the warehouse.

He didn't even look back at me.

I was left hanging in the middle of the dark, silent warehouse.

Just as the agonizing pain was about to make me pass out, the System’s voice suddenly rang in my head.

"Warning: Host's life is in extreme danger. Emergency departure can be activated immediately. Do you wish to return to your original world now?"

I looked at my unconscious mother on the floor.

"Yes," I whispered in my mind.

The next second, a powerful force pulled my soul out of my body.

...

Julian was too worried about Chloe's dizziness.

He drove her straight to the nearest hospital.

But shortly after they arrived, his phone rang. It was his assistant.

The voice on the other end was frantic.

"Mr. Julian, the other volunteers who practiced Chloe's rope art before are all having severe medical emergencies!"

"The authorities are investigating. They need Chloe to come down and explain her techniques immediately."

Julian frowned.

He was confident in Chloe's skills, so he answered carelessly, "Don't bother Chloe. Go to the warehouse and bring Evelyn to testify."

"She has always been obedient. She will tell them the technique is perfectly safe."

He was certain he had me wrapped around his finger.

But a few minutes later, the assistant called back, his voice trembling.

"Mr. Julian... we just went to the warehouse. We took Mrs. Evelyn down from the ropes... but she’s not breathing..."