Chapter 1439


    Chapter 1439


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    However, in the next moment, Neera felt a sharp pain at the back of her neck and immediately lost


    consciousness.


    In the fleeting moments before the darkness consumed her, she caught sight of Zephyr’s eyes.


    Those eyes, brimming with intense regret and resentment, seemed to plead with her to resist being


    taken away, reflecting a profound self-loathing for not fulfilling his promise, for failing to protect her.


    When Neera regained consciousness, it was the biting cold that jolted her awake.


    Confused and disoriented, she couldn’t discern her surroundings until she realized she was in a


    bathtub.


    The chilling revtion hit her as she discovered the tub filled with ice cubes and water, submerging her


    chest, with only her head exposed.


    Bound hand and foot, Neera was left in this chilling predicament.


    The duration of her immersion in the icy water remained unknown, and her body temperature had


    plummeted frighteningly low, causing uncontroble shivers.


    The unbearable cold surrounded her, her teeth chattering, and her lips taking on a frightening shade of


    purple. It felt as though she was on the brink of freezing to death.


    Attempts to move her hands and feet were futile; the ropes were tied too tightly, rendering her unable to


    break free.


    Neera forced herself to calm down, struggling to piece together the events leading to her loss of


    consciousness.


    As she closed her eyes, the image of Zephyr’s eyes and the horrifying scene of Howard thrusting


    toward him resurfaced in her mind. The pain that gripped her heart was akin to being stabbed.


    How is Zephyr? Is he… dead? What about Aunt Adriana? Is she still lying there, or has someone taken


    her away? Perhaps something else had happened?


    These haunting questions swirled incessantly, consuming her attention and preventing her from


    focusing on her surroundings.


    A full minute passed before the biting cold forced her to pull her thoughts back to the harsh reality.,


    Neera swallowed hard, her throat aching intensely, as she tried her best to control her trembling,


    Surveying her surroundings, she recognized that she was in an old, abandoned warehouse, and the


    bathtub she upied seemed equally neglected.


    A vivid memory lingered: before losing consciousness, Phoebe had mentioned wanting Howard to


    hand her over.


    So, it was Phoebe who brought me here, right? But there’s no one here. Where has she gone?


    As she contemted, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from behind her, growing louder with


    each step.


    The distinct click of high heels resonated in the air.


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    A jolt ran through Neera’s body, her heart pounding in her chest. She instantly grasped that the


    approaching person was none other than Phoebe.


    However, her body was so cold that any movement proved difficult. Restrained in the bathtub, she


    couldn’t even shift her neck significantly.


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    The sound of footsteps gradually drew closer,ing to a halt right behind her.


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    Just as Neera anticipated Phoebe was about to speak, a sudden hand seized her head, forcefully


    submerging it into the water.


    Immediately, Neera’s mouth and nose were engulfed in icy water, and her eyes, drenched in the


    freezing liquid, refused to open.


    Startled, she instinctively held her breath, struggling with all her might.


    However, the hand above her applied relentless pressure, and the bone-chilling coldness sliced across


    her face like a knife.


    Despite her desperate struggles, Phoebe tightened her grip.


    Just when Neera felt on the verge of suffocation, Phoebe abruptly yanked her hair, pulling her out of


    the water.


    Fresh air rushed into her nostrils, mingling with the lingering cold water, inducing a fit of incessant


    coughing.


    Yet, the ordeal was far from over.


    Before Neera could catch more than a couple of breaths, Phoebe, with a sudden force, pushed her


    back into the


    water.


    This tormenting cycle repeated several times until Phoebe eventually released her hand. Leisurely


    moving in front of Neera, Phoebe wiped her hands with a handkerchief, calmly admiring the woman’s


    disheveled appearance at that moment.


    “How’s it going? Having fun?”


    Witnessing Neera’s wretched state, Phoebe couldn’t contain an indescribable joy, her words resonating


    with a triumphant smile.


    Neera coughed relentlessly, her lungs feeling as though they were on the verge of exploding. The


    burning sensation extended from her lungs to her throat, inflicting unbearable pain.


    Her entire body was set in motion by the coughing, including her abdomen, still throbbing from the


    earlier kick delivered by Howard, as if her internal organs were convulsing in unison,


    After what felt like an eternity, the fit of coughing finally subsided, but her breathing remained rapid.


    A chilling coldness enveloped her entire being, her face numb as if frozen by icy water. Lips constantly


    trembling, teeth chattering ceaselessly, Neera found herself unable to articte a single word.


    Phoebe took satisfaction in the spectacle, maintaining her leisurely and unhurried smile.


    “Lost your tongue? Can’t find your words? Weren’t you always quick-witted? Howe you’re silent


    now? What an unusual sight, don’t you agree?” Phoebe taunted, her words dripping with mockery.


    Neera took several deep breaths, barely managing to calm herself down. She strained to lift her


    eyshes, feeling frost already formed on them, and coldly looked toward Phoebe. “I’m already at your


    mercy; what else do you want me to say?”


    Phoebe let out an exaggerated scoff, shaking her head and pping her hands as sheughed, her


    expression incredibly animated. “Oh my, who would have thought? The head of the Gordon family, the


    universally praised Ms. Garcia, even you have moments of speechlessness, huh? Neera, did you ever


    imagine you would fall into my hands? Did you ever think you would end up like an outcast? Did you


    ever foresee yourself in such a sorry state?”


    Faced with Phoebe’s string of mocking questions, Neera remained indifferent. “Regardless, this is the


    situation now. I’m powerless to change anything. Ultimately, the winner rules, while the loser is ruled.


    Do as you please. I know you hate me. Vent your anger in whatever way you wish.”


    Phoebe didn’t expect Neera to maintain such an attitude and was somewhat surprised. “Aren’t you


    alwayspetitive? Howe you have no fighting spirit now? Seeing you like this, I actually find it


    boring.”


    As her wordsnded, she abruptly seized Neera’s chin, holding it with such force that it felt on the


    verge of shattering. Twisting the woman’s face, shepelled Neera to look at herself.


    “Neera, it’s not entertaining to see you like this. Have you truly resigned, convinced that you’re


    ensnared in my grasp, with no escape and a predetermined fate? Or do you entertain other notions,


    thinking that by remaining silent, I’m rendered powerless, that you can prolong the situation, naively


    hoping for a rescue? Let me make it clear, don’t even entertain that thought.”


    Suddenly, Phoebe released her grip, withdrawing her hand with an expression of distaste.


    She meticulously wiped her manicured fingers, then casually discarded the handkerchief onto the


    ground. Pulling a chair from behind, she nonchntly seated herself in front of Neera.