Chapter 011: The Story

"My name is Lena, I'm Bulgarian. I came to America three years ago on a student visa. I hoped to use my talents to get a decent, respectable job. But the reality was cruel - I ended up on the streets as a prostitute, the lowest kind in illegal bars.

Please, believe me, becoming a prostitute wasn't my choice, but I had no options. Who doesn't want to live with dignity? Who doesn't want a future? You can't imagine what I've been through - it was a thousand times worse than hell.

The Potaski brothers held my passport, I became an illegal immigrant, my earnings were withheld, and I endured all kinds of abuse. Life had no hope at all. I always fantasized about someone rescuing me, even if it was the police to deport me - I already regretted coming to America.

Unfortunately, reality shattered my fantasies cruelly. I was abused for three whole years. Just hours ago, I was about to be punished by the Potaski brothers over merely twenty-five dollars. They wanted to slash my throat with a knife to make me forever regret not being respectful enough to them.

I had given up fighting then, truly given up. I thought death might be better than a life of suffering. And at my most desperate moment, this kid called Victor Hugo saved me. He played a trick saying there were police nearby, which scared the Potaski brothers away."

As Lena reached this point in her story, she was already overcome with emotion, tears streaming down her face one by one. The Lawrence family listened quietly and attentively.

Even Angie, who had been turning her head away angrily, turned back in surprise, her bright eyes showing both fear and confusion. Lena's predicament was beyond her imagination.

Lena continued: "Originally, I had merely escaped being brutally harmed, but my life hadn't changed. I still had no money, I was still illegal. To survive, I would eventually have to return to the Cat's Claw Bar - I couldn't escape.

To show my gratitude to Victor, I offered to sleep with him for free. But he refused, and then he proposed an incredibly bold idea that I found unimaginable - to steal the Potaski brothers' hidden cash.

I told Victor he was crazy at first. How ruthless were the Potaski brothers? Stealing their money - did we have a death wish? But the moment I refused his idea, I immediately regretted it.

What did I have left to fear? My life was already dark and hopeless. Returning to the Cat's Claw Bar wouldn't make things any better, so why not take a chance? After all, I had nothing left to lose! If we failed, death would be the worst outcome.

Then I drove Victor to the Cat's Claw Bar, and we stole their money when the Potaski brothers left. Everything went smoothly during the theft. The only complication was meeting this young lady called Angie."

At this point, Angie stood there dumbfounded and timidly asked Lena, "Oh my God! Victor saved you, and then asked for your help to steal money from two terrible thugs? I thought he was looking for sexual services."

Lena smiled slightly and said, "I wouldn't have minded, but Victor refused. I think you know what happened after that. Victor wanted you to leave the bar immediately, but not only did you not leave, you were drugged and taken to a room.

When Victor wanted to save you, I thought he was crazy because the Potaski brothers were about to return - every second was precious. But if Victor hadn't insisted on saving you, your fate wouldn't be so pleasant now.

I'm quite jealous of you! My past wasn't worse than yours - I was also beautiful, smart, and confident. But when I was being abused by the Potaski brothers, no one stepped up to save me. That's why you see a dirty, degraded version of me who can only sell herself in the darkness."

"I... I... I misunderstood you, I'm so sorry." Lena's words had a huge impact on Angie, who seemed at a loss. She then looked at Cyrus Greene, her expression even more regretful, "Victor, will you forgive me? I just said such terrible things to you."

"I was a bit angry, but if you give me a hug, I'll forgive you," Cyrus Greene first put on a stern face, but quickly opened his arms with a smile.

Angie, with the mindset of a fifteen-year-old girl, was quite straightforward in her emotions. Feeling guilty, she immediately rushed towards Cyrus Greene and gave him a big hug.

Rachel Connor felt heartbroken listening to the first half of Lena's story, then became angry when she learned her precious daughter almost got assaulted, and finally was so moved she nearly cried when she heard how Cyrus Greene risked his life to save her daughter.

The mother walked forward, hugging her daughter and including Cyrus Greene in the embrace, saying, "Thank you, Victor. You acted like a hero, an amazing hero! I don't know how to thank you enough!"

"Angie is my friend. Of course, I had to save her when she was in danger," Cyrus Greene smiled and thought to himself: Actually, I was terrified too. You know what? My legs are still shaking! But your family of three is too important. Keeping you safe ensures the subsequent plot won't get too messy!

David Lawrence, being somewhat calmer, frowned and stepped forward to ask, "Victor, how did you know where the Potaski brothers kept their money?"

"I overheard those thugs once when I saw them," Cyrus Greene made up.

"So you risked your life to steal money from two gangster thugs? Don't you know either one of them could easily kill you?" David Lawrence still found the situation somewhat unbelievable.

Cyrus Greene looked back at his charred, blackened house and said with deep emotion: "Do you think I enjoy living in a place like this? Do you think I want to be poor my whole life? Have you ever been in such a desperate situation that you wanted to risk everything?"

This was an outburst born of desperation!

David Lawrence, being a combat veteran, thought of the various dangers he had experienced and immediately understood Cyrus Greene's current mindset. He nodded, accepting Cyrus Greene's explanation, "You're in quite a mess now. The Potaski brothers definitely won't let you off."

"It's not just the Potaski brothers - I also shot and wounded a guy named Cooper. I think the police will be looking for me soon too." Cyrus Greene pulled out the Colt M1911A1 from his waist and said with some frustration: "I don't know how to use a gun at all. I aimed for his head but hit his shoulder instead. And after firing a few shots, my whole arm was killing me."

When Lena heard the name 'Cooper', she immediately exclaimed, "Victor, I think your troubles might be more than just the Potaski brothers and the police. Cooper is the son of Cogan, the Cat's Claw Bar owner and Cogan is the biggest gang boss in several nearby streets."

"No wonder that guy was so tough!" Cyrus Greene thought to himself: Looks like I'll have to leave this place temporarily, otherwise getting cornered by the gang would be another big problem.

David Lawrence didn't say much but stepped forward to take the gun from Cyrus Greene's hand. He removed the magazine, pulled the slide to eject the chambered round, inspected the weapon, and said, "This is a decent gun. If you want to use it properly, you'll need complete training.

Victor, you saved my daughter, and I can't ignore your situation. Although you're in a lot of trouble now, I can recommend you to stay with a friend of mine for a while. She might be able to teach you some skills too."

"Who is it?" Cyrus Greene's heart suddenly started pounding. During the process of saving the world, David Lawrence had gathered some of his friends for help, forming an elite team.

Cyrus Greene wanted to join this group - after all, they were all incredibly skilled people! But he knew his combat abilities were too weak, and normally they wouldn't want someone like him who would just be a burden.

"I have quite a few friends in New York, all excellent people. Among them, Katerina has a good personality and is very friendly. You could hide out at her place for a while. What do you think?" David Lawrence thought his suggestion was quite good.

Katerina?

Wait... I could go to old man Barkins, even though that old trickster has some weird habits. Or even Minsk's place would work, though that violence-obsessed guy only knows fighting and killing. Or Fernando's place would be fine too, though that show-off has a poisonous tongue.

But as for Katerina, she has a good personality my foot! I don't want to go to her place! That woman is completely insane - I don't want to be around a crazy person.