Chapter 158: No Escape
“Leave this place! What do you think this place is, somewhere you can come and go as you please?” Jeremiah gritted his teeth, his face etched with sheer exasperation.
“Regretting it now, are you? It’s too late for that now.”
“I have no regrets,” Raylee declared, shaking her head.
Jeremiah stared at her, initially so full of anger he wanted to vent it on her. However, upon hearing her say she had no regrets, the rage within him dissipated instantly. A surge of complex emotions ignited within his heart.
All of a sudden, the tranquil atmosphere was shattered by the sudden sound of a door being pushed open. The pair cautiously glanced toward the entrance and saw the imposing Bastian entering.
“Welcome to Musmeynia, my precious little princess,” Bastian gave Raylee a smile. His smile felt so warm that he appeared to be a gentle friend of hers. His refined and elegant demeanor made him stand out. The way he spoke to her was so tender that Raylee was almost convinced he was the good guy.
However, reality was harsh. She was not a little princess, and neither was there a kind soul to be found there.
Kaylee raised her gaze to meet his. “What will it take for you to let us go?”
“Let you go?” Bastian couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Young lady, didn’t your fiancé tell you? Once you’re here, even the mighty Devil himself has to become my slave. Even if you had wings, escape is impossible, yet you actually entertained the delusion of being released? What’s wrong with your head? However, I honestly didn’t expect you’d dare to come, and you’re not even a bit scared of me. You have such a small figure, yet you have such amazing strength! It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say you’re a woman who’s in no way inferior to a man. Your bravery truly impresses me.”
As he spoke, Bastian flashed a thumbs-up, his face full of admiration. Upon hearing this, a shiver ran down Raylee’s spine. Even though she was overwhelmed by fear, she managed to maintain her composure to negotiate with him.
“In this world, there are no permanent friends or enemies; everything is just a matter of self-interest. You wouldn’t let us go simply because we haven’t agreed on the terms yet. So, what are your conditions? Let’s just cut to the chase.”
“You’re right,” he said. “But I’m not interested in discussing anything else now because your face is injured.”
Suddenly, the expression on Bastian’s face softened. He reached out, gently caressing Raylee’s face. His fingertips gently brushed the spot where she had been cut by Gideon, and it was bleeding.
“Damn it, who did that to you? They clearly have no regard for your well-being. Let me help you wipe away the blood.”
As soon as the words were spoken, Raylee felt a sting on her cheek as the scabbed wound was forcefully scraped off. Following that, she watched as Bastian picked up the congealed blood and tasted it. Just as one would expect, he savored it on the tip of his tongue, something no ordinary person would do. After tasting, he smacked his lips with relish before saying, “Indeed, the blood of one who has been to District Nine Prison is just so sweet.”
“What a shame, Mr. Lorimer, you’re about to lose such a delightful fiancée. But then again, with your life hanging by a thread, having a fiancée doesn’t seem to be of much use to you, does it?”
Upon witnessing his maniacal actions, Raylee couldn’t help but blurt out, “You’re such a freak. You disgust me.”
Initially, she thought that Jeremiah, who enjoyed collecting organs, was enough of a psychopath. However, it now appeared that there was someone else who could outdo him in this department. No matter how twisted someone was, there was always someone worse.
“Me, a freak? I am disgusting?” Bastian nodded. “Indeed, those who know me often label me as such. But what about you? Do you like it, my dear Ray-Ray?”
As he spoke, Bastian revealed again a face full of adoration. He continued to reach out, this time touching her slender neck. However, Jeremiah swiftly grabbed Bastian’s hand, gritting his teeth as he said, “She’s my fiancée. Don’t touch her! You serve General Mosby; you should respect the rule of not involving innocent family members!”
“Huh?” Bastian stared at him in disbelief. “Are you ordering me around? You’re at death’s doorstep, yet you dare make demands of me? However, I must disagree. She is just a fiancée, not your actual wife. I don’t think she counts as family.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Bastian forcefully pushed Jeremiah away and delivered a ruthless kick toward the latter’s abdomen. He shot Jeremiah a look of disdain and scoffed, “You’re out of your league.”
“Uh…” Jeremiah cried out in agony, clutching his stomach as he writhed on the ground.
When he looked at Raylee, Bastian’s gaze softened once more, his demeanor becoming gentle and refined.
“Ray-Ray, didn’t you ask me what the conditions of your release are? Your fiancé killed General Mosby’s younger brother. His life is essentially hanging by a thread now, unless his father is willing to pay a hefty price to save him. Unfortunately, his father is a piece of work, not willing to spill a drop of blood and only willing to pay a twenty-million ransom. You’d think that kind of money was just pocket change! Do you know who General Mosby is? He’s a powerful warlord from Musmeynia; how could he swallow such an insult?”