?


    Margaret red at Ruby, resentment burning in her eyes. How could Ruby, working at such a goodpany, possibly be


    broke? She must have been nning to abandon Hansel!


    Across from her sat Alex Dous, a man in his 40s with one eye blind, a scarred face, and a menacing


    demeanor.


    "Are you sure if I bring her back, you''ll pay me 3,000 dors? Alex asked.


    Margaret clenched her teeth. "Of course, Duncan agreed to give 40,000 dors as a dowry. As soon as i get the money, I''ll give you 3,000 dors."


    Alex sneered. "Giving me just 3,000 dors out of 40,000 dors? Seems a bit unfair, don''t you think?


    Margaret was surprised by his sudden change of tone, and her expression darkened. "Alex, don''t try to raise the price. You know that money is for sav Alex looked at her mockingly. "You''re willing to throw your daughter into the fire just to save your son. Who''s more inhumane here?"


    Margaret fumed. "Are you going to do it or not? If not, I''ll find someone else!"


    "Of course I''ll do it. It''s a freebie that just dropped in myp," Alex replied.


    "Then hurry up! I promised I''d be back tonight," Margaret snapped.


    Without another word, Alex got up and left the food joint.


    As Margaret watched his figure vanish into the crowd, she felt a surge of anticipation. As long as Alex brought Ruby back, they could save Hansel!


    On her way back to the dorm from Prospectus Technology, Ruby needed to pass through a quiet alley.


    Not long after entering, her anxiety intensified, and her pace quickened. Suddenly, she thought she heard footsteps behind her.


    Although the other person was trying to match her speed, she still sensed it.


    She whipped around, but the alley was empty under the streetlights, and her own breathing was the only sound breaking the silence. Taking a deep breath, she turned back and hurried forward.


    Just a few more steps, and she would be out of the alley. Although it wasn''t in a bustling area, there were usually residents passing by. However, as Ruby approached the alley''s exit, arge hand suddenly reached out from behind her, covering her mouth.


    "Mmph!" Fear washed over her like a tidal wave.


    Her instinct was to struggle, but the hand bore a strange scent that caused her vision to blur and her


    strength to fade.


    Just as Ruby felt herself slipping into unconsciousness, the grip suddenly loosened.


    She fell to the ground but felt no pain, only a peculiar lightness.


    "Ruby! Ruby! Wake up!" someone shouted.


    Ruby felt herself being shaken and forced her eyes open, her vision slowly clearing.


    Seeing Sullivan''s worried face, she was stunned for a moment.


    "Sullivan... did... you... save me?" Her voice trembled with fear, and her face was pale as a sheet.


    "Yeah, are you okay? Do you need me to take you to the hospital?" Sullivan asked.


    Ruby shook her head. "No... No need. I have no money... I''ll be fine after a moment..."


    Sullivan frowned but didn''t push the issue. Instead, he helped her out of the alley and into a nearby fast-food ce, asking the owner for a ss of wa Handing her the ss of water, he asked seriously, "Do you want me to call the police?"


    After taking a sip, Ruby finally began to feel a little better.


    As she set the ss down, her hands were still shaking. If it weren''t for Sullivan''s timely arrival, who knew what might have happened?


    "Did you see the guy''s face?" she asked.


    “No, he was wearing a mask. I was worried about you, so I didn''t chase after him when he ran off," Sullivan replied.