The icy look in Juan''s eyes daunted her. Shelia tried to leap off the bed, but Juan was quicker.


    He seized her hair, yanking her back so forcefully that clumps of it tore free.


    She screamed in agony, but Juan didn''t stop there. He calmly reached beneath the bed and pulled out a coil of nylon rope.


    "No, what are you doing? You can''t..." Shelia''s protest was cut off as he pped a piece of duct tape over her mouth.


    She thrashed, but it was no use. With each twist of the rope, Juan''s control over her tightened.


    He drew the curtains, shrouding the room in an oppressive darkness. Her muffled cries were the only sounds in the room.


    Shelia trembled in terror, tied down and unable to move.


    Juan stood over her, his voice void of emotion. "From now on, you''ll stay right here as Mrs. Nichols. I''ll feed you and bring you water, but you won''t see the light of day or anyone else." Shelia''s eyes widened in terror, her screams muffled beneath the tape.


    "Don''t worry," Juan added, unfeeling. "I won''t let you die easily. Death would be too merciful. You''ll live, but you''ll wish you hadn''t."


    With that, he turned and walked out, leaving Shelia trapped in the suffocating darkness.


    She couldn''t move or scream. She was trapped, with no idea what horrors awaited her in this house.


    Meanwhile, Debra arrived at the


    McKinney Group headquarters. As she walked into thepany, she felt everyone''s strange gaze.


    sw novel.be


    Unfazed, she was soon greeted by Michael, who had rushed down from the CEO''s office.


    He looked thinner than before, his sharp features more prominent.


    Wearin


    a white suit, he no longer


    looked like a movie star but a seasoned CEO. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    "Thank you for holding down the fort with Ben while I was away," Debra said.


    He noticed her different attire, but his throat tightened. In the end,.


    he


    managed, "I''m d to see you back


    safely."


    Ben came out of the elevator and ushered away the onlookers. Debra''s safe return finally reassured him.


    "Madam," he said, his voice tight, "it''s good to have you back."


    Debra felt a pang of emotion at their loyalty but kept it light.


    "Why do they all look at me like I''m carrying the gue? What is going on?"


    "It''s because of that news story."


    "What news?"