CHAPTER THREE
1026 Words
Chapter 3
Vanessa’s pov
Still fuming over the marriage, Eminent's voice sliced through the tension.
“No one is to attend to her. She should be treated like a servant."
“Seize her phone and lock her up."
Her hands tightened at her sides as Sapphire stepped forward.
“You won't dare seize my phone!” Vanessa said, clenching her fist.
“And who are you to order me?” Eminent shouted walking closer.
She balled her fist, refusing to back down as Eminent advanced.
Eminent stepped closer, his hand clamping around her neck.
In a desperate act of defiance, Vanessa kicked him in the groin. He hissed sharply, loosening his grip just enough for her to gasp for air.
Immediately, Eminent yanked her by the hair and pulled her toward an unknown destination. She dragged herself backward, trying to break free from his grip, but he held her even tighter, his strength unyielding.
Panic tore through her as Eminent dragged her toward the pool. Her heart pounded violently. He knew she couldn't swim.
Before she could react, he shoved her into the icy water, sending a shock through her body.
Vanessa splashed wildly, crying for help. The force of the water dragged her under, and for a moment she thought she was going to die. Tiny bubbles stung her nose as she gasped for air, but just then he pulled her out
“I won't kill you... not yet. Your death will be slow, and every second will be agony. You will pay for the betrayal you caused,” Eminent snarled, delivering a brutal kick that sent her rolling on the floor.
Vanessa gritted her teeth, clutching her stomach in pain as cold water trickled from her hair and ran down her arms. She lay on the floor shivering. Of course, she was in his territory, completely at his mercy unable to do a thing.
“And I will make you miserable before I die,” Vanessa said, still unyielding. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her break.
"Still talking, huh?” he murmured, hovering above her, pressing her hand into the cold floor with his shoe.
Vanessa clenched her jaw, sweat forming on her brow, refusing to let a sound escape.
Just then, Sapphire rushed in. "Sir, this is the Lungeman young lady."
“That's exactly why I want to humiliate her," Eminent said.
Vanessa balled her fist as he narrowed his eyes at her, a cruel smile tugging at his lip.
Eminent's voice cut through the air. "Take her to the dungeon.”
He walked away, leaving her alone with Sapphire by the pool. Her fingers dug into her palms, nails pressing into her skin. “Bastard,” she cursed under her breath.
"Young madam,” Sapphire called, his hesitation clear.
Vanessa stood up, gritting her teeth, the fact that she couldn't do anything, that she was completely powerless here, hurt her more than the physical pain.
“You know you could just beg him,” Sapphire persuaded.
Vanessa's lip curled in a bitter scoff. "Beg him? Not in this life. Take me to the dungeon.”
Sapphire led her to the dungeon, securing a blindfold over her eyes. Every step heightened her unease.
Vanessa's breath caught in her throat as a raw, agonized scream echoed through the air. A cold knot of fear twisted in her stomach, as Sapphire removed the blindfold.
Fear ran down her spine. This wasn't the usual dungeon her father kept her in. The iron bars glinted faintly, chains dangling from their hooks. The air was thick with the smell of decay and rust.
She saw a man's finger lying on the floor “EMINENT DOMAIN” she cursed, clenching her jaw.
“Madam, why not plead? I can help you out," Sapphire urged.
Vanessa lifted her chin, stepping forward confidently.
Open the door,” she ordered Sapphire. Her fingers trembled slightly, but her voice remained steady.
“Young lady… I'm sorry,” Sapphire murmured, locking the door before walking away.
Vanessa stepped into the dark room. Screams echoed from every corner, sharp and relentless, sending shivers down her spine.
It's just a room, nothing more, she told herself, forcing her feet forward.
The room reeked of musky, damp odor. She lowered herself to the cold floor, her eyes scanning the far corners of the room, shadows twisting in the dim light.
Dogs.
Their low growls filled the air, eyes gleaming with hostility. The chains holding them rattled faintly, as though they could snap at any second.
The dog's growls grew louder and more threatening
“Hello? Somebody, help!” she cried, running towards the iron door, her voice echoing through the darkness.
“No one answered. Only silence came back to her.”
“Eminent Domain... bastard,” she muttered under her breath.
Quickly, she removed the pin from her hair. Her fingers trembled while working against the padlock. Years of being locked away by her father had taught her this.
"Click."
It opened.
She ran out.
Her chest tightened as she sprinted through the dim passage, her breath coming fast and uneven. She turned corners blindly, following any path that looked promising.
Only to stop abruptly.
She was back.
The same cage.
Calming herself, she replayed everything in her mind. Instinct led, her and then she saw it.
A hidden door, barely open.
Someone had just gone through.
Her heart pounded as she rushed forward, slipping through just before it snapped shut behind her.
She stumbled into the mansion and rushed forward, her feet carrying her almost instinctively toward a hidden room. Then, a familiar scent hit her. Her eyes scanned the space: giant curtains draped along the walls, rows of books neatly arranged on shelves. It all came rushing back to her; She was in Eminent’s study room.
She panted, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
Could this day get any worse?
She edged toward the second door on the far side of the study, every step careful and silent.
Th
en she bumbled into something solid.
A chill ran through her as she slowly raised her head.
Eminent. She stepped back.
- Writer
