Seated in the car, Alexander gazed out at the torrential rain that drenched the city, the persistent patter of raindrops veiling everything in a sheet of water cascading down the window panes. Meanwhile, Walter was driving with Quinn in tow.


    Their car swerved unsteadily for what seemed an eternity in the storm.


    When the rain slightly eased, Walter pulled over to the curb and unbuckled his seatbelt. "Get out," hemanded. Quinn bit her lip, reluctant to leave the car.


    But Walter didn''t give her a choice. He came around, opened the door, and dragged her out. The rain continued to fall, and they were quickly soaked to the skin without umbres.


    Walter pulled Quinn forward, stumbling across the wet ground behind him. She nced up hurriedly; it appeared to be a farm.


    They entered through the main gate to a vast courtyard peppered with a multitude of vegetables, and the houses were two-story wooden structures.


    The sprawling farmstead was eerily quiet and utterly deserted. Walter dragged her into a room, pushed her onto the floor, and then he opened a closet.


    He pulled out a set of clothes. Quinn looked back at him with wide eyes from her seated position on the floor, disbelief painting her features as he began to change his clothes right in front of her!


    Hurriedly averting her gaze, she turned to stare at the firmly closed door, the thought of escape flickering through her mind once again.


    Yet, as she pondered the route by which she had arrived - all winding mountain roads - the realization hit her that even if she dashed from the farmhouse, the mountain would still hold her captive. Abandoning the thought of flight, Quinn could do nothing but sit on the floor and wait quietly for him to finish dressing.


    After a while, Walter approached her in new attire, squatting down in front of her.


    Quinn lifted her eyes to his, and there he was, no longer in traditional attire but now d in a white suit-a spitting image of a fairy tale prince, especially with his face.


    His damp hair hung down beside his ears, and those eyes-when they smiled, their beauty defied distinction.


    Shifting her eyes away silently, her fingers clenched tightly, her heart pounding loudly within her chest. shing back to thest time he tormented her, Quinn didn''t dare to imagine what he might do on this asion.


    The more she thought, the tighter her grip became, her nails nearly digging into her palms. Walter raised his hand, turned her chin toward him, and asked, "Do you think Alexander can find you this time?"


    Biting her lip, Quinn refused to meet his gaze.


    Walter let out augh as he stood up, tossing her a set of clothes from the bed, "Put these on." Quinn grabbed the clothes but couldn''t find a suitable ce to change.


    Seeming to grasp her hesitation, he added, "Haven''t I seen everything already?" His words instantly flushed Quinn''s face crimson, the redness spreading to her ears.


    "Change. Don''t make me repeat myself a third time." His tone was firm. With stiff fingers, Quinn held the clothes but made no move to change.


    Narrowing his eyes, Walter suddenly leaned in close, grasping Quinn''s chin and forcing her to look up at him. "Do you think because I''ve only captured you, I hold no leverage?" A flicker of surprise crossed Quinn''s face as she stared at him. With a soft smile ying on his lips, he continued, "Your beloved Juliet is still confined to the hospital bed, isn''t she?"


    Quinn''s eyes narrowed, her fingers trembling around the fabric she clutched. His words carried a casual threat, "If I desired her death, it would be quite simple, wouldn''t it? Or perhaps to subject her to a fate worse than death?" Quinn''s body shook, whether from anger or fear was unclear. Walter didn''t repeat his words. He stood tall, looking down at her, allowing her time to make her decision. With a heavy sigh, Quinn finally rose to her feet, carrying the clothes to a more secluded spot.


    She turned her back to Walter as she began to remove her sweater. Walter watched her closely, a mysterious smile curling his lips. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Walter''s gaze shifted, and he turned to answer it.


    Meanwhile, Quinn hurriedly pulled on her pants. When she dared to look again, Walter had already stepped outside, and the door had closed behind him.Quinn let out a sigh of relief and copsed onto the bed, her energy depleted. Walter walked down the hallway to another room, where a man and a woman were seated.Had Quinn been present, she would have instantly recognized the woman as Ruby.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.