Resaile and Stanley were dragged into the dimly lit basement. Debra. nced at Rosalie, who crumpled to the floor and shook with fear.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    It wasn''t me. "Rosalie frantically waved hands. "It wasn''t our intention. We..."


    Debra stepped forward and reached down to pinch her jaw. Rosalie had never seen such a terrifying side of Debra before.


    Debra snapped. "Has Ralph ever failed you? From the moment you married into the Frazier family, hasn''t he always protected you? He satisfied your every need and insisted on marrying you, regardless of his reputation. What did you do in return, you ungrateful wretch? Tears welled up in Rosalie''s eyes, and she huddled herself on the cold floor.


    Debra continued, her voice unforgiving. "If anything happens to him, Stanley and you can expect to spend the rest of your lives in prison."


    "Debra, Rosalie tried to plead for leniency, but Debra was focused solely on Ralph.


    Marion instructed his men to take Ralph out of the basement. Then he said. to Debra, "I''ve already arranged for the hospital. We''ll take Ralph there now."


    "He will be fine, right?"


    "I''ve checked. It looks like just surface injuries."


    Debra''s anxious heart finally eased. She cast a cold nce at Rosalie and Stanley and ordered, "Lock them in here. If Ralph is lucky enough toe back, let them go. If he doesn''t..."


    The meaning in her words was crystal clear. Rosalie''s face turned pale ast she realized the implications. "Are you trying to kill us?"


    Ralph knew they were behind this, so even if he came back, he would not release them.


    75


    Stanley spat out, "Who are you to detain us? This is our house. How dare you treat us like this?"


    Debra kicked him, sending him sprawling on the ground. Her high heel pressed against his chest. He dared not move, terrified that her sharp heel might pierce his flesh.


    In Seamar City, those in power have a say. Didn''t your teachers tell you that when you were in school?"


    Stanley turned ashen. Looking at his face, which resembled Ralph''s, Debra finally pulled her foot back.


    "Pray that Ralph returns safely and that he softens his heart and lets you go. Otherwise, you''ll be left to die in this basement."


    The basement had only a narrow vent and no lights. Once the door was closed, it was pitch dark. The average person would go mad in a ce like this after just an hour, let alone spending an entire night. Rosalie couldn''t bear to think about it. If Ralph didn''t return, Debra wouldn''t even give them food or water. The only path left for them was death.


    The basement door was shut with a resounding thud, and Rosalie heard the iron door being locked from the outside Debra stood behind the door for a moment in silence, her heart heavy with the weight of her decisions. "Am I doing the right thing?" she muttered.


    "This world is darker than you imagine. Marionforted her. "If you''re not strong, people will trample you underfoot."