Breaking Angela

Maisie glanced back at Angela, a look of mild curiosity on her face. It had only been a few days since they'd last crossed paths, but Angela looked utterly drained—far weaker than even Maisie herself.

Angela wasn't particularly close to Maisie, but she'd heard of her. Maisie was a popular streamer who made more money than Angela ever did as a flight attendant.

"What are you staring at?" Cassius asked with a grin, waving a hand dismissively. "Go back home."

Angela hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, her voice trembling. "Do you... have any food?"

It was a question she never thought she'd have to ask. If she had any other choice, she wouldn't be here. No one truly wants to die—it's desperation that drives them to the edge.

Maisie stood and approached Angela, her delicate fingers brushing lightly over Angela's dry, cracked skin and brittle hair. "Of course we have food," Maisie said softly, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. "Do you want some?"

"I do," Angela nodded eagerly, a pang of envy tightening her chest. Maisie still looked healthy, far better than her. Once upon a time, Angela had been the one people admired for her beauty.

Maisie casually picked up a half-full bottle of water from the stairwell. Angela's eyes widened with hope and relief.

"Thank you! Thank you!" Angela reached out for it, but Maisie stepped back, keeping the bottle just out of reach.

Cassius chuckled under his breath. There was something playful but wicked about how Maisie was toying with Angela.

Angela frowned in confusion. "What… what are you doing?"

Maisie didn't answer. Instead, she twisted the cap off and, to Angela's shock, poured a small amount of water onto the floor.

Cassius raised an eyebrow, smirking. Well, damn. She's using my trick on someone else.

"You have to drink like this," Maisie said, demonstrating.

Angela bit her dry, chapped lip as she watched the water droplets hit the floor. Swallowing her pride, she knelt and mimicked Maisie's actions, sipping the water off the ground.

A strange slurping sound echoed through the stairwell.

Cassius blinked, slightly taken aback. He never would have guessed that the once-proud Angela would stoop so low. But here she was, forced to survive at any cost.

As Maisie slowly walked up the stairs, she continued to pour water in small drops, leading Angela along like a breadcrumb trail. Angela followed without a word, lapping up every drop until they reached the apartment.

The door closed behind them with a soft click. Angela blinked, as though waking from a daze, and was suddenly overwhelmed by an unfamiliar, tantalizing aroma.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. Is that... KFC?

She stared at the coffee table, where a fresh spread of fried chicken and other KFC items lay waiting. Her shock deepened.

"This can't be real..." she whispered.

Angela's gaze darted to Cassius, who leaned casually against the doorframe. Rumors had circulated that he used to be a delivery driver. It all made sense now. He must have hidden supplies somewhere, stashing food for himself and Maisie. No wonder the streamer was sticking with him.

"Can I?" Maisie asked Cassius with a playful smile. She was eager to join the fun but didn't want to upset him.

Cassius chuckled and nodded. "Go ahead. Let's see what tricks you've got."

With his approval, Maisie visibly relaxed. She grabbed a chicken bone and tossed it in front of Angela.

Angela stared down at the bone, her arms trembling. She told herself not to touch it, not to stoop that low. But her body refused to listen. Slowly, her delicate hand inched toward the bone.

In the end, hunger overpowered her pride.

The sound of her chewing filled the room, accompanied by quiet sobs. Tears streamed down Angela's face as shame and despair consumed her. Never in her life had she imagined herself crawling on the floor, gnawing on a discarded bone like an animal. Why am I so pathetic... she thought bitterly.

"So, I hear your boyfriend's trying to sell you off," Cassius remarked casually as he lit a cigarette. Maisie quickly leaned in and lit it for him.

Angela froze, her entire body trembling. She turned her head slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. "He... he wouldn't do that."

"Oh? You must be out of the loop then." Cassius exhaled a puff of smoke. "There's a private group chat for the men in this building. You were being auctioned off last night—got a pretty high bid too. Four guys already booked half-hour sessions for just a bottle of water each."

The words hit Angela like a sledgehammer. Her arms gave out, and she collapsed to the floor, shaking her head in disbelief. "No... no, that's not true. He just told me to... to go see Cole."

"Cole's just your first customer," Cassius replied with a smirk. He pulled out his phone and placed it in front of Angela.

With trembling hands, she picked it up and looked at the screen. The contents were horrifying. There were photos of her—suggestive, intimate photos. Mick had even written a description, highlighting her "assets" like a product on display.

"No... no..." Angela's tears fell like a torrent. It felt like the sky had collapsed on her.

Cassius calmly took back the phone and flicked his cigarette, letting the ash fall. Maisie, to his surprise, cupped her hands to catch the ash. He raised an eyebrow, grinning in amusement. "Damn, you're really something."

Maisie turned to Angela, sitting beside her with a sly smile. She gently stroked Angela's tear-streaked cheek, her voice soft and hypnotic. "Why not come with us? You'll never go hungry again."

Her words crept into Angela's mind like a devil's whisper.

"You'll have three full meals a day," Maisie continued. "The best food from all over the world. You'll wash away all this filth and live comfortably, even in a world as chaotic as this."

Cassius watched the scene unfold, a realization dawning on him. Damn, Maisie could be a real asset. She's got serious potential to recruit people. He took another drag of his cigarette, thinking that maybe he'd found a new role for her.

"It's your choice," Maisie said, patting Angela on the shoulder. "Stay here, or become their plaything. You decide."

Her tone was calm but firm. This is as far as I can help you. You're a smart woman—you should know which option is better.

Ending up in the hands of those other men would mean a brutal, miserable death. With Cassius? Sure, maybe one day he'd kill her too—but at least she'd be well-fed and taken care of in the meantime. Those other guys wouldn't even give her that.

Don't be naive, Maisie thought. They'll give you just enough food to keep you dependent, to control you. Nothing more.

Angela wasn't stupid. She understood the reality of her situation. Her voice trembled as she spoke softly, "I'll stay."

"Louder," Maisie demanded, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. She was deliberately breaking Angela's pride, forcing her to vocalize her submission.

Angela clenched her teeth, her body trembling with shame. "I'll stay!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the room.

Cassius chuckled, amused and impressed. Damn, Maisie's a natural. I should put her on the payroll.

"Here's your reward," Cassius said with a smirk, tossing the rest of the chicken bones in front of Angela.

Without hesitation, Angela dove for the bones, stuffing them into her mouth like a starving animal. There was no resistance left in her, only the raw need to survive.

Cassius watched, lighting another cigarette.