Chapter 1 If There Is a Next Life
On the rooftop of Starlight Tower, on the terrace. In the dim and dilapidated utility room, Kate Lowe was covered in scars and huddled in the corner. Her hands and feet were firmly bound by iron chains, her clothes were tattered, and the high temperature of summer caused the wounds on her body to become inflamed and pus-filled, constantly oozing blood. Flies and mosquitoes swarmed around her and constantly sucked on the exposed and decaying flesh. The look in her eyes had become somewhat disoriented. The days full of torment had driven her to the point of despair. Creak! The door of the utility room suddenly opened. The glaring sunlight poured in, and Kate instinctively squinted her eyes. She had not seen bright light in a long time, so her eyes were stimulated to have tears. “Oh, Simon, look at her! This b*tch is so lucky. It’s been three days, and she’s still alive.” A mocking voice rang out. The words were filled with endless malice and sarcasm. Kate’s body suddenly stiffened. She ignored the glaring sunlight as she looked towards the door. Her expression was one of shock. Standing in the backlight at the door of the utility room were a man and a woman. The woman was wearing a fiery red dress with big, wavy curls and exquisite makeup on her face. She looked down on Kate with disdain and mockery. Simon Bishop was dressed in a well-tailored, dark grey suit. He had a handsome face and looked at Kate with the same cold and disdainful gaze. The corner of his mouth lifted into a cold and mocking smile. Simon said, “Whether she lives or dies, the outcome is the same.” “If she died, she would actually be off the hook easily. This time, we need to let her taste the feeling of being shattered into pieces. Hehe!” The woman covered her mouth and chuckled lightly. She strode arrogantly in high heels towards the dishevelled Kate, huddled in the corner. She looked at her, and a triumphant smile appeared on her face. She taunted, “Look at you! Where is the noble and elegant Ms. Lowe? “Oh, I forgot to tell you. Your family no longer exists.” She smirked, took out her phone, and waved it in front of Kate’s eyes. “Did you see this? This is your oldest brother. He’s been hacked to death on the street.” The victim on the screen was covered in knife wounds and completely disfigured. The blood was spread several meters away. His handsome face was unrecognisable, but his eyes refused to close even in death. She lightly slid the screen with her fingers, which were painted with red nail polish, and continued, “And your second brother, he was so eager to find you that he and his car were crushed by a dump truck. Hmm … I guess this pile of flesh is him.” That woman pointed to the horrifying scene of the car accident on the screen, where the car was crushed by the dump truck, now stacked like paper. There was a pool of blood on the ground, which was glaringly red. “As for your third brother, he jumped off from the 18th floor to save you—his body had broken into pieces.” Kate stared blankly. Her brain seemed to shut down. All that was in front of her was a glaring red. The woman’s voice continued. “Meanwhile, your parents drove off the bridge and drowned together. Their bodies were just dredged this morning. “Kate, your whole family died because of you. When is your turn to go to hell?” She covered her mouth and watched the trembling figure in the corner. Tears of blood had rolled down Kate’s eyes. She howled and screamed like a madwoman. That woman smiled even more brightly and continued, “After all, if you live, how can Simon and I take over the entire Lowe Group?” “Arghhh! Arghhh! Arghhh!” Kate howled and screamed desperately again, tears of blood dripping from her eyes. The iron chains clanged as she pulled them, but they cut deeper into her flesh. Kate had understood everything when Simon and Ruth Robertson showed up together and looked at her with disgust, informing her of her family’s death. All of this was a trap set by Simon and Ruth to take control of her company. It was a pity that she was deceived by her boyfriend and best friend for years. She had brought them into the company so that they got opportunities to destroy the Lowe Group. “Oh, by the way, I have a more interesting video here.” Ruth looked at Kate, who was screaming in agony. Her laughter became more berserk as she pressed the play button. Her face was filled with satisfaction from venting her hatred and looked intently at Kate. It was this woman that had someone tie up Kate, beat and torture her nearly to death, cut out her tongue, and lock her in the utility room on the top floor of the Starlight Tower. Kate was barely clinging to life. However, Ruth left her eyes untouched, just so Kate could witness the tragic ends of those who cared for her, loved her, and protected her. … An abandoned factory. Dressed in a black suit, a gorgeous, handsome man with crimson eyes tightly pressed his lips. He tried to suppress the rage and killing intent in his eyes. His voice trembled and hoarse as he asked, “Where’s Kate?” Simon casually sat at his opposite. He burst into laughter at the question. His face was full of pleasure. He looked disdainfully at the aloof man and said, “Eric, come on. Beg me.” “If you do it, I might tell you where Kate is.” Without hesitation, the dignified man leaned forward and folded his hands. His voice was filled with suppressed pain as he asked, “Please tell me where Kate is!” Simon was stunned for a moment, then he burst into hysterical laughter. Woah! Just look at that! Eric Davison, the man who was all-powerful and influential in Capital City, is actually begging me humbly. Every cell in his body was screaming with delight. A smile appeared on Simon’s face. He sneered, deliberately elongating his tone, and said, “Kate? She said she hated you. You caused the tragic deaths of her family. She never wants to see you again in her life! “She said she hates your face. Why don’t you destroy your face? If you do it, I can plead for you and let her see you.” A dagger was thrown in front of Eric. The sharp blade shimmered with cold light. Eric picked up the dagger and ruthlessly drew a few lines on his face. Blood gushed out instantly, and it ruined his once beautiful face. Despite the pain, Eric didn’t frown. He simply stared at Simon, who looks paranoid and crazy. He calmly demanded, “I want to see her.” Simon was shocked by Eric’s actions. He showed a hint of fear and disgust on his face. He coldly pointed to a dark door on the side and said, “She’s inside. Go find her.” Eric pushed the door open without hesitation, but instead of Kate, he was met with a chilling blade. Hidden inside the door were assassins hired by Simon. They took advantage of Eric’s unpreparedness to strike him; each attack was meant to kill him. Kate watched in shock as Eric fought desperately against several men and gradually lost ground. The hatred and guilt in her heart reached peak. She felt as if her heart were being stabbed and stirred with a knife, causing unbearable pain. Eric had died. Kate watched helplessly as that god-like man died in front of her. His body was abandoned in the wilderness to be torn apart by wild dogs. “Now it’s your turn, Kate.” There was malice in Ruth’s voice as she looked at Kate, who was cowering on the ground with hollow eyes and lacked the will to survive. She smiled even more brightly. Kate thought herself as a sinner. She was blind to right and wrong. That mistake caused harm to her loved ones and the man who loved her to the core. She was the one who should go to hell, not them! No, the ones who should go to hell were Ruth and Simon. Kate’s eyes burst with intense hatred. Simon unlocked the chains to drag her out. Kate rushed at Simon and bit his neck fiercely like a madwoman. “Arghhh!” Simon screamed in agony. He struggled to break free while cursing, “You witch!” He repeatedly struck Kate’s head with his elbow, causing excruciating pain. The tragic scenes of her life kept flashing before her eyes. If there is a next life … If there is a next life!! She will never let Ruth and Simon, these despicable individuals, get away with it! She’ll never make the same mistakes again and allow her loved ones to meet a tragic end. Her fragile body was no match for the strength of Ruth and Simon. Kate’s body was dragged to the edge of the rooftop and mercilessly pushed off. Bang! The blood slowly flowed out on the ground. The color was vividly red.
