Elsie trailed behind Harvey with an expressionless face; her light clothing was soaked through with cold sweat that dripped relentlessly. Each step felt as if her feet were weighted down with lead.


    She recalled the pot of roses that Avery had recently cleared out, and her mind raced through every terrifying possibility associated with it. That pot of roses had been highly valued by Snakey Avery.


    The sudden removal, the sudden call-no doubt he had discovered something.


    Snapping back to reality, Elsie closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she reopened them, her gaze was fierce and resolute, as if she were walking to her execution.


    "Everyone has their time," she thought to herself, “it''s just a matter of sooner orter."


    Having considered the worst-case scenario, suddenly, she feared nothing.


    Elsie was led into a blood-stained basement that had witnessed countless executions.


    Several henchmen stood guard at the corners, while in the center, on a plush red velvet sofa, lounged Avery. He was dressed impably in a tailored grey suit, his legs casually crossed as he savored a ss of red wine—a stark contrast to the grim surroundings.


    "Elsie, I hear you haven''t left your room for four days straight. How are you feeling? Rested well?" Avery swirled his wine, his smile inscrutable.


    Elsie bit her lower lip, choosing not to respond.


    Avery squinted his dark eyes, leisurely adjusted his gold-rimmed sses, and beckoned her with a crooked finger: "Ellie,e here."


    A shiver ran down Elsie''s spine like a poisonous serpent, creeping up her slender calves. But she had no choice but to walk up to the man.


    "Ah."


    Elsie''s body lurched forward as Avery seized her wrist and pulled her into his embrace with a forceful tug.


    "You used to go for a more alluring and sexy look, didn''t you? I remember you never wore such modest, subdued clothing."


    Avery''s arms encircled her slim waist, forcing her to sit on hisp, his breathden


    with the sweet scent of wine brushing against her pale cheek.


    Despite the apparent flirtation, she only felt sick to her stomach. "Does he like it?"


    Elsie shivered uncontrobly, turning her face away. "No."


    "I quite like it too, actually. Keep dressing this way," Avery mocked with a low


    chuckle, his dry, cold hand tracing down her spine.


    Elsie''s delicate body trembled with fear.


    Being liked by him felt like a disgrace for this clothing.


    She held her breath, her voice hoarse as she asked, "Mr. Chambers, why did you ask for me?"


    "Let you apany me to watch a good show."


    Avery signaled to Harvey with a nod. Harvey, understanding the cue, pped his hands with a grimace.


    A loud ng echoed, followed by the sound of chains sliding.


    Elsie''s eyshes fluttered, her eyes wide as a battered, barely alive man was slowly lowered from above.


    Only when he waspletely on the ground did she see his face, marred beyond recognition.


    In an instant, Elsie felt like thunder had struck her, tears welling up in her eyes as fear and hatred churned like des in her chest.


    It was Tom.


    A henchman unchained Tom, and Harvey, with a sinister grin, approached and viciously kicked him to the ground.


    "Ugh." Tom spat out a mouthful of bright red blood. His injuries were so severe he was on the brink of death.


    Elsie clenched her teeth, rage boiling inside her.


    Her stiff body was held firmly by Avery, unable to move, even if she could, how could she go over there?!


    "I''ve trusted you all this time, trained you, and you dare to betray Mr. Chambers! You ungrateful cur!"


    Harvey was infuriated his men turned out to be a traitor, how could he not unleash his full wrath to demonstrate his loyalty? "Don''t you know the fate of traitors?!"


    "I know, but what of it?"


    Tom turned his head to the side, breathing weakly, "Does it influence my decision?"


    At Tom''s words, Avery raised an intrigued eyebrow and took a sip of his wine.


    Elsie''s lips quivered, staring at the dying Tom, her heart pounding, feeling as though she couldn''t breathe!


    "Why betray Mr. Chambers? Speak!" Harvey''s eyes were fierce, and he kicked again.


    Tom chuckled coldly, closing his eyes.


    Harvey, fueled by rage, raised his foot towards Tom''s head, but Avery suddenly spoke:


    "Harvey, hold on."


    Harvey quickly withdrew his foot.


    "If I remember correctly, you were the bodyguard who made a mistake a few


    years back and was punished by me," Avery asked casually.


    Tom remained silent, tacitly admitting it.


    Elsie''s face drained of color, her heart beating so fast it felt as if it would burst from her chest!


    She had endured too many unimaginable evils in this world, her heart hardened to


    it all. But this time, it was different.


    Tom was herrade, the only warmth in the vile den of The Velvet Haven.


    But this single thread of warmth was about to vanish before her eyes.


    "Are you holding a grudge against me for what happened many years ago? Even if that''s the case, you''ve been holding back for so many years, so why did you choose now to act behind my back? Who is your aplice, who instigated you to nt the bug in my room?"


    Avery smirked, "You''re quite stubborn, kid, I kind of like it. So, I''ll give you one more chance, thest chance. As long as you confess who your aplice is, I promise not to kill you. Not only will I not kill you, but I''ll also let you enter the management of The Velvet Haven and manage it with Harvey. What do you think?"


    Elsie was about to copse, her pale lips just parted, when Tom suddenlyughed:


    "Avery, do you think I''m a fool? You, you heartless bastard, your words... no one believes!


    But I believe justice prevails, even if I fail, you will meet your end without a grave!" "You insolent dog! You dare curse Mr. Chambers?!" Harvey kicked him again angrily.


    "There are too many people who want me dead, they line up from Elmsworth to Helgen. You should have thought of something more creative for yourst words."


    Avery chuckled instead of getting angry, and shook his head, "Since you don''t cherish this opportunity, I won''t insist. Ellie."


    He suddenly called her.


    Elsie''s heart skipped a beat as she looked into his sinister smiling eyes nkly.


    "Before, I did have my reservations about you, but today, I''m giving you a chance to dispel those doubts."


    As he spoke, Avery patted her lower back, his eyes twinkling with a cruel chill, “Go and kill him. If you do that, all will be forgiven. You''ll remain my most trusted person here at the Velvet Haven, second only to Harvey."