Chapter 1

I'd been drugged, locked in a room with a man.

Under HD cameras, our every move was livestreamed on the dark web.

The audience was ecstatic, betting on how long we could last.

Now, two paths lay before me: either succumb to the drug and die an agonizing death.

Or sacrifice my dignity, putting on a horrifying spectacle with this man for thousands of depraved eyes.

"Hehehe, welcome everyone to 'How Long Can They Last!'"

An electronic, synthesized voice echoed in the enclosed space. The large screen on the wall clicked to life.

The sudden brightness made me hiss in pain.

"Awake?" the man's voice rasped.

I turned my head, my breath catching in my throat. It was Adrian Sterling, heir to the powerful Sterling Pharmaceuticals, a name synonymous with prestige in the city. Rumor had it, he was unapproachable.

We'd only met twice at art exhibitions. My illustrations for their new drug had just passed final review, so we'd barely exchanged a word.

"Mr. Sterling, where are we?"

"An underground warehouse. We're being livestreamed."

He retreated to a corner, his breathing heavy.

"Doesn't it feel a little hot in here?" I fanned myself, looking around.

He shot me a strange look but didn't answer.

High-definition cameras were installed in all four corners, broadcasting to the dark web.

A strange, burning heat was simmering under my skin. I tried to take deep breaths, anything to distract myself.

"Mr. Sterling, how did you end up here too?"

I usually didn't have bodyguards, making me an easy target, but his security was legendary. Why us, specifically?

"Betrayed," he grunted, his voice low.

"Who's behind this?"

"I don't know yet, but I will find out."

The live chat on the big screen scrolled wildly:

[HOLY CRAP! IS THAT SUMMER, THE ILLUSTRATOR?!]

[EVEN THE CITY'S TOP BACHELORS WERE AFTER HER!]

[ADRIAN STERLING, THE NOTORIOUSLY RESERVED CEO? THIS IS WILD!]

[DARK WEB, YOU'RE INSANE!]

Those words felt like dirty hands trying to strip me bare.

"Let us out! This is illegal!" My voice trembled.

The electronic voice let out an exaggerated, mocking laugh. "Oh, help me, I'm so scared!"

"The 30-minute countdown has begun! Place your bets on how long they can resist, and who breaks first!"

The comments became even more brazen:

[PLAYING INNOCENT? ONCE THE DRUG KICKS IN, YOU'LL BE BEGGING!]

[IT'S BEEN HALF AN HOUR, WHY HAVEN'T THEY STARTED?]

"Drug?" I glanced at Adrian. He looked even worse than I felt. Cold sweat trickled down his face, his hands braced against the wall, muscles trembling, like he was wrestling a beast.

I rushed to the steel door, pounding on it. "Hello? Is anyone out there? Open up!"

"The drug will kick in faster if you exert yourself. Don't fight it," Adrian warned.

His voice was husky, like a potent poison.

I instinctively wanted to lean into his embrace, and a shiver ran through me.

"The door's welded shut..." he sighed.

I glared at him. "So, we just wait to be tortured to death by the drug? Or be humiliated like animals in front of thousands?"

He said, "I'm sorry. I won't touch you."

I started to cry. "I'm just so scared."

"Don't worry," sweat beaded on his forehead. "I won't touch you."