Chapter 3

I watched as the nozzle of the spray automatically opened, dispersing a mist.

“Brandon? Do you know how highly concentrated capsaicin spray I put in this?”

Brandon’s brows furrowed slightly, but before he could answer.

The ten bodyguards at the chasm’s edge suddenly collapsed, convulsing on the ground.

Two even tumbled down into the pit.

On the FaceTime call, the previously arrogant Brandon suddenly coughed violently, and Vanessa’s smile vanished.

“Brandon? Why did they all faint?”

Seizing the opportunity, I quickly began climbing up with Chloe.

Ten years of mountain climbing experience made the task less difficult.

But Brandon’s furious voice came through the phone.

“Amelia, are you getting too cocky?”

The phone screen shook as Brandon reached into his car, grabbed a water bottle, and used it to cover my spray canister.

Then, he picked up a heavy-duty shovel from the ground and violently swung it down towards us.

I couldn’t let go. If I fell from this height, Chloe would be smashed to death.

Chloe was on my back, and there was no time to dodge.

The shovel slammed directly onto her arm, a sickening crunch followed by a scream and a bloody mess.

Chloe passed out from the pain.

“Bitch, still trying to instigate her not to sign the contract! Let’s see how many more hits you can take.”

Brandon threw two more shovels our way. I endured the searing pain in my hands, barely managing to dodge.

If Chloe hadn't been trying to help Brandon stabilize the company and manage the fallout from the disaster, she wouldn’t have been lured into this trap and ended up in such a miserable state.

I roared into the phone:

“Brandon! At this rate, Chloe will really die!”

Brandon drew on a cigarette, slowly blowing smoke rings, unhurried.

“Still trying to lie to me when death is at your doorstep? If you really want to save her, sign the document.”

“Fine! I’ll sign, I admit it’s my fault.”

Without hesitation, I quickly climbed down to the lowest level to retrieve the document and pen they threw.

“I’ve signed it! Now let us out.”

Chloe, jostled awake, saw my signature and couldn’t help but curse loudly.

“You’re not human, Brandon! I’m your own sister!”

Brandon used a thin string to pull the document up.

After confirming my signature, he drew a throwing knife from his belt.

“Still daring to curse me at a time like this? You two need a lesson.”

He aimed for my head, and just as we relaxed our guard, he hurled it with force.

Chloe, on my back, saw his move and lunged forward, blocking the knife with her hand.

“Ah!”

With a sickening thud, her hand was completely severed.

“No!”

I went mad, frantically pulling emergency bandages from my bag, trying to calmly stop the bleeding.

“It’s okay, it’s okay…”

“Amelia, keep begging me. Why didn’t you save Liam when Vanessa begged you back then?”

Vanessa’s head peered over the edge, a triumphant smile on her face.

“Brandon, hurry! Don’t go soft. Kill them both!”

Chloe was now numb with pain, unable to even cry out, staring blankly at her severed arm.

But Brandon didn’t stop. He and Vanessa began shoveling quicksand into the pit again.

I swiftly tied Chloe securely to my back. This time, I had to reach the top.

I climbed step by step, trying to match their shoveling speed.

Brandon suddenly stopped.

“Amelia, I’m tired of playing with you.”

He pulled a handful of throwing knives from a bag and began aiming them at us.

Vanessa, tired herself, dropped her shovel and started massaging his shoulders.

“Go, Brandon! Pierce those two bitches!”

There was a slope halfway up the chasm; if we could reach it, we’d have some cover and could wait for rescue.

One step…

A sharp pain shot through my back. I bit down hard, pushing Chloe onto the slope.

Then I fell heavily, letting the quicksand engulf my body.