Chapter <b>278 </b>
Charlotte was forced up the unfinished high–rise.
She was terrified of heights. The higher they climbed, the weaker her legs felt.
The building was nothing but exposed concrete and steel. There were no railings <b>on </b>the staircases, no <b>safety </b>barriers in sight, Step by step, she was dragged upward by Joseph’s men, with nothing but at <b>on </b>either side.
Silently, Charlotte counted the floors in her <b>head</b>.
When they reached the 26th floor, the men ahead of her came to a halt.
The one escorting her stopped too.
“What time is it?” Joseph askedzily.
“7:40 pm, Boss,” said one of the men- -the same one who had abducted Charlotte the night before. She didn’t know his name.
Joseph raised an eyebrow and turned to her. “So do you think Sean Jasper would really show up alone to die for you?”
Charlotte said nothing. Her eyes lowered, lips pressed tight.
“Scared?” Joseph let out a softugh. “Don’t worry. If you love him that much, I’ll help <b>you </b>two die together. A tragic little love story. “I
She stayed quiet, still staring at the floor.
Joseph sneered. Her silence clearly irritated him. The amusement in his eyes gave way to annoyance.
“I’m talking to you. Didn’t you hear me?” he snapped.
Suddenly<b>, </b>he grabbed her by the arm and yanked <b>hard</b>, then shoved her forward without warning
Caught off guard, Charlotte stumbled. She lost her bnce, legs buckling under <b>her</b>, body swaying uncontrobly before <b>she </b>finally crashed to the ground.
Her hands were still tied, so she couldn’t <b>even </b>break her fall
Thud.
She hit the concrete floor hard. Her knees mmed down first, sending a searing jolt of pain through her legs. Her face twisted in agony as her upper body copsed forward. <b>She </b>couldn’t even brace herself
She didn’t scream. She just clenched her teeth, face pale, silently enduring the pain.
The fall left her dangerously close to the edge. When <b>she </b>opened her eyes and saw just how high up she was, the fear hit her like a tidal wave. Her whole body trembled uncontrobly.
Twenty–six floors <b>above </b>the ground, she was sprawled at the building’s <b>edge</b>, peering down into the dizzying abyss. Her vision <b>blurred </b>with panic. Her fear of heights kicked in <b>so </b>fiercely that her world started spinning. She shut her eyes tightly.
“Cat pot
“Cat got your tongue?” Joseph chuckled.
He kicked over a nearby metal barrel. It crashed loudly across the concrete, the sharp tter echoing around them.
All his men froze. None of them dared to move or breathe too loudly
Quarlotte furrowed her brows. She couldn’t understand how this man could shift so suddenly from smiling to unhinged. Moments ago, downstairs, he had been grinning, looking calin, even friendly. But now he was erratic and explosive–like a rabid dog
“Oh, I get it,” Joseph muttered<b>, </b>eyes narrowing with a twisted smile. “If you won’t talk, I’ll just have to make you.”
His voice turned cold. He stepped toward her slowly.
He looked at her like a predator circling prey. His lips curled into a cruel grin, and his eyes burned with sick armusement.
“Tell me “le drawded, “how do you think Sean Jasper would feel watching you get raped<b>?</b>”
Charkatte’s mitire body jolted.
Het res flew opam Horror and digast spread across her face, her skin <b>going </b>even paler.
<b>Joseph </b>saw the fear in her expression and smiled even wider<b>, </b>clearly pleased.