Chapter 17

"Ma'am Anya, Sir is calling for you at Moon Star Resort," her driver said.

She's furrowing her brows.

It had been several days since she last saw Austine. Maybe he was on vacation leave, which is why he hadn't shown up for several days, or maybe he was on sick leave. After all, a different driver had picked her up.

"I'll just change quickly," Anya said.

The driver was nervous and sweating. The truth was, it wasn't Oliver who had sent for Anya to go to the resort, but Sapphire and her friend Natasha. The driver was also afraid of not following their orders, especially after they threatened him, so he was forced to lie to Anya.

"Let's go," the driver said.

It took 45 minutes for them to arrive. Anya had simply followed the driver, not knowing where they were going.

"We're stopping here, ma'am. Just go that way, and I hope you'll forgive me for this later," the driver said to Anya.

The driver bowed his head before quickly leaving. Anya was puzzled by his behavior, but she still followed his instructions. She walked in the direction the driver had pointed.

When she arrived at the area, she saw that it was deserted except for a drum of water at the edge. They hadn't actually entered the resort, but rather seemed to be in a storage area.

Anya turned around when she heard clapping. Sapphire and Natasha emerged from the side.

"I didn't know you were so

easily deceive, Anya. Well, what else can I expect from someone as lowly as you?" Before Anya could react, the two women burst out laughing.

"What do you need from me?" Anya asked.

"We don't need anything from you." Sapphire approached her, and suddenly someone grabbed her arm from behind, preventing her from moving and causing her to drop the towel she was holding.

She wanted to fight back, but the person holding her arm was too strong.

"Bitch, I told you we're not done yet!" Natasha slapped Anya hard.

"You're a coward, you're only strong because you have friends!" Natasha slapped Anya again.

"Try speaking up, and you'll get an even worse punishment!" They pulled her hair, bringing her closer to the drum filled with water. She knew what was coming next. They submerged her in the water, and she struggled to breathe when they pulled her out.

She couldn't even move, not with the tight grip of the people holding her arms behind her back.

"Next time, recognize your opponent. Remember, you're just a poor man's daughter! You're not worthy of Oliver, I'm the one who deserves to be in your position!" They submerged her in the water again before leaving, and Natasha slapped her one more time.

Anya tasted the blood from her lip, a result of the force of Natasha's slap.

While Sapphire just watched what was being done to her, the others laughed before leaving her for good. Anya was weakened and sat down after they left her. Her hair and clothes were soaked. Tears she had been holding back earlier streamed down her face.

"Anya, remember that you've been through harder times when you were a child. Will you give up now that you're close to being free?" she told herself. She bowed her head, placed it on her knees, and wept.

*******

Oliver had just arrived home when he noticed Anya was nowhere to be found. He had rushed home early again to have dinner with Anya. Especially since they hadn't had a proper conversation the last time they were together.

"Where is Anya?" Oliver asked Glaiza.

"Sir, as far as I know, you sent for her. Greg picked her up earlier, and the two of them left," Glaiza replied.

"Fxck! Where is Greg?" Oliver asked.

"Until now, sir, the two of them haven't returned. I've been trying to contact Kuya Greg, but he's not answering," Glaiza said.

Oliver went outside to the parking area and called Beatrice.

"Can you locate where Anya is?" Oliver asked Beatrice as soon as she answered the phone call.

"Wait,"

"Hurry up!" Oliver response was almost a shout.

"Oh right, she's near Moon Star." The guy quickly started the car, speeding off so fast it felt like the car was flying.

Meanwhile, Anya was walking weakly on the side of the road. She stopped and looked at the passing cars. She felt like she was back to being a child, unsure of where she was going. A car stopped beside her, but she didn't notice.

"Anya," someone called out to her. She turned around, and upon seeing the guy, she felt a mix of emotions. She couldn't help but burst into tears.

He approached her and hugged her tightly.

Oliver didn't ask her what happened. He also felt the wetness on his shoulder from Anya's tears. He let her cry until she was exhausted and fell asleep.

He gently lifted her into the car and laid her down carefully. Christian wiped away the tears from Anya's face. He also noticed the scratches on her neck and lip, likely from Natasha's slap and fingernails.

Christian took out his phone and made a call. "Update?"

"Natasha and Sapphire were the ones who gave the orders," was the response on the other line.

"You already know what to do with the people involved in this. Except for Natasha and Sapphire, I'll take care of them," Oliver said.

Oliver quickly ended the call and dialed another number. "Cancel all my appointments tomorrow." He immediately hung up.

He got into his car and gazed at the sleeping girl.