Chapter 77

This villa was the Rosewood family's home before they made their fortune. Over the years, as neighbors moved away, the area had become desolate.

The thought of spending her future here, confined to this villa, filled her with despair. Loneliness and disappointment welled up inside her again.

She touched the rusty iron gate, listening to its creak as it swung open, a chill entering her eyes. Was her life—Emma's life—truly destined to be spent in this monotonous, uninteresting villa?

She refused to accept this fate. One day, she would reclaim everything she had lost, piece by piece. Just as she was about to enter, she heard the voices of several men nearby.

"Damn it! Is this even the place? It doesn't look like anyone lives here. It's so desolate and unlucky!"

"I paid a high price for this information. It's definitely reliable."

"Enough blabbering! Once we find the person and get the job done, as long as the money's in hand, everything will be fine!"

"Hey! Isn't that her over there?!" One man pointed in Emma's direction, and the others followed his gaze.

They thought, By God, that's the person we're looking for! We searched for so long, wasting so much effort. We'll definitely teach her a lesson!

As soon as Emma heard their conversation, her gaze fixed on the source of the sound. As the voices grew closer and she recognized the men, her expression shifted from confusion to sheer terror. She thought, Aren't these the same men from the hotel? No wonder their voices are so familiar!

An ominous premonition grew stronger. She was certain their presence boded ill. Without hesitation, she ran towards the villa.

Seeing this, the men quickly gave chase. They weren't going to let her escape so easily. They had exerted so much effort to find her.

In their eyes, Emma was nothing but stacks of hundred-dollar bills. Once they were done with her, $150,000 would be theirs. Who could resist such a temptation?

Emma ran into the courtyard, frantically entering her home door password. But the door seemed to deliberately defy her, displaying a password error no matter how she tried.

As the men closed in, her heart pounded and her hands shook uncontrollably. She thought, "What should I do? What should I do?"

"Let's see where you run now!" The man who had caught up stood at the villa entrance, panting heavily. The other men stood at the door, equally breathless.

"You little wretch, making me chase you so hard!" Seeing the men completely blocking the villa door, each with a ferocious and lecherous look, Emma's heart raced faster.

She frantically tried the password again, hoping to open the door. But her shaking hands betrayed her; she couldn't remember the numbers.

Seeing this, the men grew furious. "Damn it! Still trying to escape?" the man said, stepping forward, grabbing Emma's hair, and yanking her out.

"Be gentle, don't mess her up."

"Who told her to be disobedient!"

"Shall we play right here?" One man pointed at the small courtyard and raised his eyebrows. "What's there to be afraid of? There's no one around!" The others nodded in agreement, baring their yellowed teeth in a grin.

Emma trembled with fear, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded, "I beg you, please let me go. I'll give you the money I'll give you money"

The man, who was unfastening his belt, paused. "How much money will you give us?"

Hearing a chance, Emma quickly replied, "$30,000?"

"Thirty thousand dollars!" The man burst into laughter. "You think $30,000 will make us let you go? Are you underestimating us, or yourself?"

"Then $600,000."

"Six hundred thousand? You're too naive!"

Hearing his refusal, Emma stiffened. $600,000 was all her savings, and they were still unsatisfied. Back then, $30,000 had been enough to make them eager to deal with Elysia. Emma thought, Now, their appetite has grown so large. How much has Elysia paid them!

"If you can't come up with the money, just submit to us quietly!" The man said, already holding his unbuckled belt. Emma was terrified; her safety was paramount.

Thinking quickly, she said, "$900,000. That's my limit!" She thought they would be satisfied, but to her surprise, they laughed. "Your limit is only $900,000? Then what's the point of bargaining? Stop wasting time! I will be gentle."

Emma thought, $900,000 isn't enough? This was the money she could raise by selling all her bags and jewelry, and they were still not content.

"How much do you want?" Her voice was cold.

"This much!" The man held up one finger.

Emma frowned. It couldn't be $100,000, so it had to be a million! They were demanding an exorbitant price.

"What do you say? Can you come up with it?" they said.

"It's just too much!" she answered.

"Too much? I think a million shouldn't be difficult for a rich girl like you. Or do you think you're not worth that much?"

"I've been cast out by the Rosewood family. I can't come up with that much money," Emma said.

"Then we're sorry, but that's not our problem!" The man said, advancing towards her.

She backed up in fear, her foot hitting a stone post, causing her to fall. The men were upon her, grabbing her hands. Her face was filled with terror, and helpless tears streamed down her cheeks. But inside, she was filled with hatred for Elysia. Emma thought, Why does she have to appear and ruin everything for me?

Just as she thought it was over, a familiar voice reached her ears, pulling her from the abyss.

Robert's eyes were bloodshot as he shoved the men aside, standing protectively in front of Emma and pointing at them. He angrily shouted, "You beasts! Do you even have any humanity left?"

Their mood soured by the interruption, the men retorted, "Humanity? Can it be spent like cash? In this world, money is the only king!"