Chapter 5
957 Words
Boom!
Amid clouds of dust and smoke, Ella crawled out of the wrecked car. Countless camera flashes went off right in front of her, taking photo after photo.
Connor strode over with a deep frown, rage burning in his eyes. "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
"No. Someone tampered with my route book." The image of Lily sneaking out of Ella's room flashed through her mind instantly. "It was Lily. It was her. She altered all the data."
"At a time like this, you still dare slander others." Connor shoved her roughly aside and stormed away without a second glance.
She was left standing alone, drowned under a wave of sharp questions and accusations from reporters.
She pulled out her phone. The trending tag #ConnorNavigatorMistake sat right at the very top, marked with a glaring red 'Breaking' label.
Dozens of furious fans swarmed around her. They threw everything within reach straight at her. Phones, tissues, opened cartons of milk, nothing was spared. Soon their anger turned into violence.
"You did this on purpose! How could you make such a stupid mistake?"
Someone grabbed her hair and pulled hard. "We said it all along. Why should a crippled woman be Connor's navigator? You are nothing but useless trash."
Another person slapped her hard across the face, then kicked viciously at her already damaged leg.
She fell to the ground and curled herself into a tight ball. She let them vent all their rage until they grew tired and slowly dispersed. Blood trickled down from her forehead.
Through her blurry, red‑tinged vision, she saw Connor and Lily standing right before her.
Connor's face twisted with undisguised disgust. Lily looked pale, but that could not hide the triumphant glint deep in her eyes.
Her phone vibrated. She opened the screen. It was an official notice from the racing team, terminating her contract immediately. This was Connor's decision.
"Ella, you have already caused Lily to lose her child, and now you have ruined such an important race. You must pay the price for what you have done."
Grief, fear, and despair crashed over her all at once. Tears burst from her eyes instantly. She instinctively reached out and grabbed the hem of Connor's trousers, begging desperately. "But I did not do it. You know me well. I would never make such a foolish mistake. At least give me time to investigate. I worked hard for ten whole years to get to where I am today. I truly love this job more than anything else."
A flicker of hesitation crossed Connor's face. Just then, Lily suddenly threw herself into his arms and burst into loud sobs. "Connor! Have you forgotten our baby? You promised you would avenge him! You cannot soften your heart now. The doctor said I may never be able to have children again. This is all Ella's fault. It is only right that she pay for what she has done."
All trace of hesitation vanished completely from Connor's expression. He kicked her hand away roughly, his voice turning icy cold, "You have no right to beg. I already told you we would settle this after the race. This is nothing but your just punishment." He grabbed her arm roughly and dragged her toward the race car.
Ella struggled wildly and screamed at the top of her lungs, "What are you doing? Let go of me! Let me go!"
Connor pulled a strong rope from the back of the car and tied it tightly around her. Fear and despair spread through her chest, draining her strength. She watched helplessly as he fastened the other end firmly to the rear bumper. He then opened the door, let Lily sit beside him, and climbed into the driver's seat.
The engine roared to life. The car shot forward instantly. Ella was dragged roughly across the asphalt for nearly a hundred yards. Her clothes were torn apart. Skin and flesh scraped away continuously, leaving a long trail of blood behind. Overwhelming pain nearly made her pass out. She could even see bits of her own flesh scattered on the road behind.
Yet their cruelty did not end there.
"Ella, since you made Lily unable to bear children, you will have your womb removed to compensate her." He dragged her straight into an operating room. "Once this surgery is done, you will owe Lily nothing. Apologize properly later, and you can still stay as Mrs. Fisher."
"No! No! Connor, let me out!" She slammed her hands repeatedly against the heavy door, shaking all over. Ever since the failed surgery that left her leg crippled, she had been terrified of operating rooms. Being locked inside now pushed her to the brink of total collapse.
"Now, stop making such a fuss." Lily's sweet voice drifted in from outside. "Fine. I will be generous and let her go this time. But Connor, you must give me a reward for being so nice.
"Connor... try harder next time. Maybe we can still have our own baby someday."
From outside came the sounds of Connor and Lily flirting and laughing, followed clearly by the wet sound of their kisses.
Ella's eyes burned with rage. She pounded on the door until her fists were torn and bleeding.
Inside, several people rushed over, forced her onto the operating table, and held her down firmly.
Tears mixed with blood flowed from the corners of her eyes. She screamed with all her remaining strength. "Connor! Lily! I will kill you both! I swear I will kill you both!"
Darkness closed rapidly over her vision. Just as she was about to lose consciousness, she heard the heavy metal door being kicked violently open, and a tall, unfamiliar figure rushed straight toward her.
- Writer
