The man in front waved, and the two guards dragged a woman forward in a tattered pink dress.
Lexi’s eyes widened.
That wasn’t… Lauren?
How had she been captured too?
Isabella’s tear-streaked face spoke volumes—she was terrified, just like Lexi.
“You two aren’t ugly. Perfect to sell overseas,” the man sneered, his voice coarse and vile.
Lexi’s chest tightened.
“You’re going to sell us?!”
“Please… just let me go. My sister’s famous! We’ll pay anything!” Isabella dropped to her knees, begging.
Lexi muttered under her breath, “Don’t beg them.” She knew any pleading would only fuel their arrogance.
The man crouched, lecherous grin curling his lips.
“One night with us… then maybe I’ll consider letting you live.”
Isabella shrank back, clutching Lexi’s foot like a lifeline.
“Watch them closely,” the man barked to the guards.
“Try to run, and I’ll feed you to the dogs.”
The guards flanked Lexi and Isabella, eyes unblinking.
Isabella whispered, “Lexi… what do we do now?”
Lexi tilted her head.
“Can you run fast?”
Isabella glanced at her bare feet—her heels had been lost in the struggle, toes smeared with dirt and dried blood.
Lexi thought of who Isabella was—once a bully in the orphanage, now a girl facing life-or-death.
“No matter what—run, hide, survive. Find a chance to call the cops.”
“Do you trust me?” Isabella asked, misted eyes meeting Lexi’s.
Lexi nodded.
Childhood rivalries didn’t matter now.
“Sisters or enemies, we survive.”
Isabella promised, “I won’t leave you.”
Lexi quickly persuaded one guard to let Isabella step outside to relieve herself.
The captors underestimated them, leaving one to watch Lexi while the other escorted Isabella.
Light from the broken window faded.
Lexi hoped Isabella was safe.
Then—BANG!
A loud crash outside.
Men cursed.
Lexi’s heart sank as Isabella was thrown back at her feet, hair disheveled, cheeks swollen from a beating.
“I’m… sorry, Lexi,” Isabella mumbled through tears.
“It’s not your fault,” Lexi whispered, kneeling beside her.
Survival was luck—anyone could be caught.
A harsh voice called behind them: “Mark their faces. Once we do, they’ll never escape.”
Scarred—worse than death in their eyes.
Lexi ground her teeth.
“We’re not cattle. We’re not worthless.”
The man raised a gleaming knife.
“You two seem attached. Who’s first?”
Lexi exhaled slowly.
“Mark me.”
Pain and survival outweighed vanity.
Even if she escaped, a scar might be her greatest shame in front of Sebastian, but she would endure it.
“No! Mark me instead! Lexi, you’re going to be a star!” Isabella said firmly, wiping tears, standing tall.
Lexi stared, stunned.
For the first time, she saw Isabella’s strength.
“I loved Julian, I envied his care for you… but I never drugged your drink. Everything I did was desperation. I’m just another victim here. Please, forgive me,” Isabella said.
Lexi felt some stubbornness melt away.
Rivalry didn’t make her an enemy.
“Isabella, you don’t have to do this—”
“I’ll wash my face first. Makeup… maybe my only chance to be beautiful,” Isabella said, voice trembling but controlled.
The overseer rolled his eyes.
“Women are always troublesome. Bring a basin. Wash, don’t dawdle.”