Xylia curled up in the corner of the basement, her eyes fixed on the nearby wasps, afraid they might rush toward her at any moment.


    The buzzing sound in her ears felt like a spell, constantly ringing in her mind. Her nerves were on edge.


    Suddenly, the lights in the basement went out. Darkness flooded the room


    Xylia’s tightly wound nerves snapped. “No… don’t…” she whispered.


    Tessa’s voice came from outside the door. “Xylia, do you still like the surprise I prepared for you? Don’t worry, this is just the beginning.”


    Xylia hugged herself tightly, curled up in the corner, her body trembling uncontrobly. The sound of Tessa’s voice faded from her ears.


    It felt like she was back in that attic from years ago, surrounded by darkness and filled with the hissing of snakes. Now, the buzzing of wasps joined the noise.


    She feared the attack hidden in the darkness, her eyes wide open as tears silently fell. Her mind finally copsed, but her exhausted body refused to faint.


    Outside the door, Tessa stood listening, but there was no response from inside. She wanted to open the door and check, but then remembered the wasps inside. She needed to be fully prepared before going in.


    She returned to the living room, holding the food. Connor, preparing to go back to the office, frowned when he saw the meal had been brought back untouched.


    “Connor, she won’t eat,” Tessa said. She lowered her head, a sad expression briefly flickering in her eyes.


    Connor scoffed quietly. “Let her stay hungry then. Don’t worry about her. If she wants to fend for herself, let her.”


    Tessa looked at him disapprovingly, pouting as she spoke sweetly, “You can’t be so harsh with her.”


    Connor’s expression softened. Tessa was always so kind. He smiled at her, said his goodbyes, and headed for the door. As soon as he opened the front door, he saw Joshua standing there.


    “How did you…” Before he could finish speaking, Joshua kicked him, sending him flying.


    Connor crashed hard to the floor, groaning in pain as waves of difort spread through his back. Before he could recover, Joshua grabbed him by the cor and threw a punch at his face.


    After a few punches, Connor finally regained his bearings, but before he could fight back, Joshua picked him up and threw him aside. Despite Connor’s tall and muscr build, Connor felt weightless in front of Joshua, like he could be crushed with <b>ease</b>.


    He fell heavily to the floor, blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.


    10:46 <b>Tue</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>16 </b>


    :


    “Connor!” <b>Tessa </b>cried, dropping the tray and rushing to help him.


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    Joshua nced at the food scattered on the floor and then looked at the spot where Tessa had been standing. His gaze quickly shifted to the basement door.


    With a stern expression, he walked toward the basement door.


    Seeing this, Connor scrambled to get up and chase after him. But suddenly, a group of bodyguards poured in from outside, blocking his path.


    The leader of the group was someone Connor recognized–the executive assistant from Garcia Group. He stood frozen, a bad feeling creeping into his mind.


    Joshua kicked open the basement door, and several wasps flew toward him. He raised his hand to block, but the wasps couldn’t sting through his suit.


    “Don’t… don’te closer…” Xylia’s voice, low and filled with fear, trembled from inside.


    Joshua’s heart sank. He took off his suit jacket, used it to protect his head, and stepped inside. “Xylia!” he called


    out.


    The room, oncepletely dark, now had some lighting through the doorway. Joshua’s heart clenched as he saw Xylia, curled up in the corner. His face twisted with heartache.


    He quickly moved to her side and draped his jacket over her.


    “Don’t! Go away! All of you, go away,” Xylia cried out, retreating from him in panic.


    “Xylia, it’s me. Don’t be afraid, it’s me,” Joshua said gently, his heart aching as he looked at her.


    But Xylia couldn’t hear him. All she could hear was the hissing of snakes and the buzzing of wasps in her mind. Terrified of anything approaching her, she recoiled instinctively.


    With no other choice, Joshua had to knock her unconscious. His eyes reddened with emotion as he held her in his arms, covering her with his jacket, and carried her out.


    As Joshua walked out of the basement, he noticed Sonny in the living room.


    Sonny couldn’t save his own father. Seeing a stranger holding his mother, he shouted, “Who are you? Who let you hold my mom?”


    Joshua looked down at the boy with a cold smile. “From now on, she’s not your mother anymore. Get lost!”


    Sonny froze, trembling, and didn’t dare say another word.


    Several wasps flew out from the basement and hovered in the living room.


    Joshua turned to his assistant, David Baldwin. “Find some protective gear and pour honey on them, then


    throw them back in the basement.”


    The basement had be a wasp nest. Joshua wanted Connor and Tessa to experience the suffering Xylia


    had endured.


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    “Joshua Garcia! How dare you? I’ve already called the police. You broke into my home and hit us. I’m going to hire the bestwyer and make sure you go to jail!” Tessa threatened.


    Joshua scoffed, “Go ahead.”


    He didn’t waste any more words with them. He left the vi, carrying Xylia in his arms. He drove her to the hospital.


    Outside the emergency room, he stood against the wall with his head slightly lowered, his entire demeanor radiating an intense hostility.


    He had seen the several wasp stings on Xylia’s body. She was running a fever, her face bright red, and delirious as she muttered incoherently, repeating “don’te near her.” It is evident that someone was startled.


    His expression darkened further, and he felt a surge of rage. He wished he could make Connor pay immediately.


    When the emergency room door opened, the doctor came out, frowning. “The patient is fine. The wasp venom is mildly toxic. However, her mental state might be affected. We’ll treat her properly once she wakes up.”


    In the VIP hospital room, Joshua sat by Xylia’s bed, watching her pale face. His eyes were bloodshot.


    It was his fault–he had searched for her too long, and now she had suffered so much. He had thought that after her divorce, he could openly protect her. But now, he couldn’t wait any longer.


    David knocked and entered, saying, “Mr. Garcia, everything’s been handled. Mr. Ford won’t press charges.”


    Connor and Tessa had been locked in the basement for an hour, covered in wasp stings.


    David had threatened them, saying that even if they reported the incident, nothing woulde of it. It would only expose the Ford Group’s dark secrets.


    Connor, seemingly lost in thought, silently agreed.


    Sonny was crying loudly, and soon after, he followed Connor and Tessa to the hospital.


    Joshua barely reacted to this. He looked at Xylia lying in the bed and said quietly, “The n is moved up to tomorrow.”