Game Over No Second Chances

"I've only been humiliated by you once or twice... but you? You'd better prepare for hell," Wendy muttered as she dragged herself off the floor.

She sent a message to Cole.

His reply came quickly. "Keep your eyes on Serena and make sure she reaches the location. In 15 minutes, I'll have my people move in."

"Relax. The bartender's already on my payroll," she replied with a smirk.

Inside the bar, the bartender approached Serena with a polite smile. "The restrooms are all occupied, so there's no suitable place for changing.

"But we do have an empty staff room. Since you're a friend of our boss, I got special permission for you to use it. Let me show you the way."

Sticky with sweat and alcohol, Serena nodded.

She followed him down a quiet hallway into a clean, well-kept room. The bartender set a stack of fresh clothes on the chair and quietly slipped out. Just as she reached for them, her phone rang. It was Hugh who called.noveldrama

"I'm at the back door."

"Are you already here?" Serena asked, confused. She'd already given him the time and location-wasn't it early?

She glanced at the wall clock, then at her own disheveled reflection. She bit her lip. "Give me 15 minutes."

Exactly 15 minutes later, Wendy stepped out of the car, adjusted her appearance, and handed a wad of cash to the bartender before slipping through the bar's back door.

The trap had already been set.

She crouched low and slowly pushed the door open. The room was thick with an overpowering, sickly-sweet scent.

Tch. Cole went all out-did he even bring that? Well, with that kind of chemical in the air, there was no way Serena would still be conscious.

Wendy pushed the door open further, but the room was empty.

Her heart skipped.

Then, a low and cruel voice purred behind her. "Stop running. You think you can run? Mr. Cole never lets his prey escape."

"Wha-" Wendy didn't even have time to turn around.

The man behind her grabbed her, mistaking her for Serena.

After all, according to the plan, Wendy was supposed to soak Serena in alcohol, forcing her to change clothes. The woman in front of him reeked of booze, had the right build, and was crouched at the door.

It had to be her.

"Cut the crap. Get in there and please Mr Cole." With a brutal shove, he kicked her inside and slammed the door shut. The lights clicked off, and he sat outside to chat with another guard.

Wendy hit the floor hard. The heavy scent in the room-sweet, cloying-invaded

her lungs. Her asthma kicked in immediately. She began coughing violently.

She didn't know how much time passed before someone cracked open a window. The air slowly cleared, and only then did she begin to breathe again.

But her relief was short-lived.

A figure moved in the dark. Before she could react, she was slammed down and pinned to the ground with a hand clamped over her mouth.

"It's me... Don't say anything. I can be your way out. Once you give me a child, even if Uncle Hugh still has feelings for you, he won't be able to hold on to you anymore.

"But with the chemistry we have... tonight will be more than enough."

"Ugh!" Wendy's eyes went wide with horror. She thrashed, but the darkness swallowed her cries. Her fingers clawed at the floor, and her eyes turned crimson. Why... Why wasn't Serena here?