Chapter 8

Ruby's POV

The car door was yanked open roughly. Jace dragged me out and pulled me into a spacious abandoned warehouse.

"I brought her." Jace shoved me forward, his voice cold and hard. "Let her go."

The five men inside exchanged glances. They grinned. "Jace Monroe keeps his word indeed."

He made a gesture. Immediately two men stepped forward, roughly grabbing my arms from both sides and holding me firmly. At the same time, another man untied Serena's ropes and shoved her hard toward Jace.

Jace rushed forward in panic, steadily catching Serena as she fell into his arms.

Serena's eyes filled with tears, her whole body trembling. "Jace, I was so scared... I knew you would come..."

"It's okay now." Jace held her tightly, gently wiping the tears from her face. "I told you I wouldn't let anything happen to you."

I was restrained by two men, my arms controlled. I looked at Jace in confusion. "...What is this?"

Jace finally turned his gaze to me. His expression was complicated. There was struggle, but ultimately it was covered by cold indifference.

He pressed his lips together and said, "They kidnapped Serena. They said they'd trade you for her."

"You're trading me for her?" I found it absurd, even my voice trembling.

"They don't want money or anything else. They want you." Jace's tone was heavy, with a trace of barely perceptible irritation. "Think about it yourself. Were you too arrogant in the past? Did you offend someone?"

Did I offend someone?

Yes, I'd been arrogant and wild in the past, offending quite a few people. But these men in front of me. I had no recollection of them.

"I don't know them! Jace, I don't know these people!"

But Jace no longer looked at me. He just held Serena tighter in his arms. "Let's go."

With that, he embraced Serena and turned toward the warehouse exit.

"Jace! Jace!"

My shouts echoed in the empty warehouse, hoarse with despair, but he didn't turn back.

The men sneered. "Stop shouting. Your dear husband has left with his precious one. He won't come back to save you."

It seemed Jace had truly heartlessly abandoned me here.

I forced myself to calm down. "I'm the heir to the Hayes family. Let me go now and I'll give you whatever money you want. But if you dare harm me, the Hayes family absolutely won't let you go!"

Hearing this, the men were stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Hayes family heir? You think we don't know that the Hayes family heir is your gentle sister, Aria Hayes. The Hayes family doesn't care about you at all!"

"That's right. Without the Monroe family identity, you're nothing, Ruby. In New York, who would stand up for you?"

Another tall, thin man came closer, reaching out to touch my face. "This face is really beautiful. Truly New York's number one beauty."

"Get away!"

I turned my head to avoid him. Fury and humiliation burned my reason. I struggled with all my strength, kicking and hitting with my hands and feet.

My resistance enraged these men.

"You still dare resist!"

Someone slapped me hard across the face.

I was knocked to the side, my mouth instantly filled with the taste of iron, my ears ringing.

"Hold her down!" Someone shouted.

Several hands roughly tore at my clothes. I used the last of my strength to resist, biting down hard on the man trying to hurt me, before being knocked unconscious by someone's slap.

I don't know how much time passed. I woke in severe pain.

Opening my eyes, the first thing I saw were those five men, all sprawled on the ground groaning.

Then I saw a man in a black T-shirt and camouflage pants, smoking while stepping on the bald man's body.

I couldn't help sobbing from the pain.

Hearing the sound, the man in camouflage pants turned his gaze to me. He curved his lips. "Ruby Hayes, New York's worst reputation, rumored to have had countless men, actually refuses a man's touch? I'm genuinely surprised."

My whole body tensed. I asked hoarsely, "Who are you? These men are..."

"Who I am doesn't matter. I just happened to be passing by." He seemed to read my thoughts. "These men have nothing to do with me."

Then he put out his cigarette, walked over, and crouched down to my level.

His fingers lifted my chin. He raised an eyebrow. "What do you want me to do with them? I can make it happen."

I looked straight into his deep, smiling eyes. No guilt there. Just curiosity.

"If you really want to help," my voice hoarse but steady, "then take me to the airport. I want to leave New York."

The man narrowed his eyes, studying my face for a moment.

"Alright."