At the next second someone ripped away the black cloth over my head. I gasped for air like someone who had just pulled from drowning, each breath sharp and desperate.

What greeted me was an unfamiliar sight. I was no longer on the ship. Before I stood an island in the middle of the ocean and in the middle, there was a luxurious and exquisitely designed building.

"Behave! Stop gawking!" A sailor next to me raised his hand, as big as a palm frame, swung hard toward my face and landed squarely at my face.

Stars danced before my eyes and the metallic tang of blood filled my mouth. I tried to stay conscious and struggled to open my eyes.

When I finally opened my eyes, I saw the familiar pink swing. It was the very same swing that Travis Nelson had personally designed for me several years ago.

This place turned out to be the same island that Travis promised to give to me. Back then, he’d begged me to accept it, but I had always refused. I never thought I’d end up dragged here today as a prisoner.

What was the connection between Travis and those treacherous sailors?

“Is this Tranquil Island?" I asked.

The sailor beside me frowned suspiciously. He then asked, "How do you know its name? This island isn’t open to outsiders.”

The name "Tranquil" was the name Travis had chosen personally. It was the combining of parts of me and his name together.

“I’m Quilla Shepard, Travis Nelson's lover! Let me go, now!” I declared, mustering every ounce of courage.

For a moment, some of the sailors hesitated and talked to themselves, “How does she know about Mr. Nelson being the island’s owner? Could she be telling the truth?”

However, others quickly laughed it off, "Are you serious? Everyone in the network had heard about Mr. Nelson wanting to gift this island to Quilla Shepard at that time. She must’ve read it online back then.”

“Looks like she’s so scared she’s spouting nonsense, even claiming to be his lover! Are you dreaming?”

I shook my head furiously in desperation. "I'm Quilla! I’m not lying! Call Travis and he’ll confirm it!”

I racked my brain, trying to search for proof, something, any interaction with him that would convince them. Yet, the more insisted, the more they dismissed my words, believing that I was telling a lie.

One of the burly men even spat in my face. “Take a good look at yourself in the mirror. You think someone like you could be Quilla?"

"Do you want us to call Mr. Nelson, the island owner? Do you know how busy he is? Is it possible for just anyone to contact the island master?”

“Probably just another woman who wants to be seen by the owner and throw herself at him.”

"Ah don't say that. By the way, her body is quite nice. We can use her to entertain guests at the banquet."

Their leering gazes sent a chill down my spine. I wrapped my arms tightly around myself with a pale face and pleaded, “You can’t treat me like this! I really am Quilla. I can prove who I am!”

I searched frantically on my body but I fell into despair when I realized that one of the crew had smashed my mobile phone and my ID card was not in my body because it was still in the cruise shop.

“I have my ID on the cruise! Check it and you’ll see I’m not lying!” I finally said desperately.

Regret clawed at me. If only I’d shown my face online before, someone might recognize me as the once-famous online singer. How else could I prove that I was me?

That's right! My voice! My voice is my signature.

“You can match my voice! You all should know my account! While I never showed my face, my voice is unmistakable!”

Unlike most, my vocal range was extraordinarily wide, my timbre was unique and versatile. No one had ever successfully imitated my singing style.

One sailor, skeptical but curious, pulled out his phone.

“Search for my song, ‘Breath", " I said as my eyes lit up. "I can sing it right now. No one else can perform it the way I do!”

This song, "Breath", had intricated vocal technique. It became a viral challenge among music bloggers. However, none had managed to replicate my style.

For a brief moment, I felt a glimmer of hope. However, the sailor smirked coldly and held up his phone as he pointed at the screen. "You almost fooled me, your lying bitch!"

On the screen, it was clearly shown that my TikStar account was being broadcast live. Seeing this, my mind went blank for a while. How could this be? I was here! Who is the person who is live streaming in my place?

“It’s a hacker!” I said earnestly. “Someone must’ve stolen my account and is replaying my old songs for profit!”

I purposely said it without hiding anything because I hoped they would believe me. However, the sailors had lost their patience.

The man who had hesitated earlier now frowned. His face turned gloomy and he grabbed a thick tree branch. Then without any warning, he struck me hard across my back.

The coarse wood tore into my skin and sent searing pain through my body. Then he said, "You’re clever, I’ll give you that. If it weren’t for Miss Shepard conveniently going live, I might’ve actually believed you.

"See, Jacob … didn’t I tell you? Women are all liars. Don’t get soft again, okay?"

"If the island's owner knows about this matter and knows that we don't know his future wife. I don't know how the island's owner will punish us."

Amidst the snickering of the other sailors, the man known as Jacob became a bit annoyed. He angrily grabbed my injured side arm, yanked me forward and dragged me into a room filled with the smell of blood.

I screamed as a sharp pain shot through my arm and it became numb completely.

One of them became annoyed, grabbed a wooden rod and swung it at me while yelling, “What are you yelling for? You almost got me in trouble!”

Each blow landed with brutal force. It felt like my spine would snap in two. I writhed on the ground as I tried to dodge the blow, but every move only worsened my injuries.

“I’m telling the truth! I don’t know who’s framing me, but I am Quilla!” I cried out.

The man wielding the rod smiled coldly and brought the rod down on me again while shouting, “Are you still not done with your nonsense? I’ll beat the truth into you! Do you think anybody can claim to be Miss Shepard? I dare you to say it one more time, I'll beat you up."

My head throbbed and I could feel warm blood trailing from my ears. I curled my body and shielded my head because I did not want to be beaten anymore. I whispered, “I won’t say it anymore. I won’t say anything,”

One of the sailors threw a garment at me and ordered, "Put this on!"

The outfit wasn’t a normal uniform. My hands froze as I realized what it was.

When he saw I hesitated and was about to refuse, the man who had beaten me waved the stick in his hand threateningly.

To preserve my life, I turned around, gritted my teeth and changed.

When they saw my obedience, several of them nodded approvingly.

“See? A little discipline does wonders. Keep behaving well, or you’ll regret it.”

Ad I listened to their discussion of how to do with me, their crude suggestions making me curl up. My adoptive parents were likely facing the same fate. This island was in international waters, beyond anyone’s jurisdiction, so who could possibly save me now?

Just as they were dragging me toward the door, someone burst in.

“The Island Master is here! Hurry up! Get ready!” he yelled.

The other sailors scrambled out and left me behind with only Jacob to guard me.

My heart brightened, feeling finally I found my chance. I figured as long I managed to get Travis to see, I would be saved.

Unfortunately, it seemed Jacob saw what I was planning to do because he narrowed his eyes and asked, “What’re you plotting to do?”

I looked down and shook my head vigorously then muttered, "Nothing."

Too bad, I did not manage to fool Jacob. He grabbed a fistful of my hair and dragged me to the corner of the room. “Are you still hoping to meet the Island Master? Well, too bad. It's impossible!"

I struggled desperately as my heart pounded in panic. My hand flailed and suddenly I grabbed something solid, so I swung it with all my strength to Jacob's head.

It smashed Jacob's head. The hit was hard enough that it drew blood.

He froze in shock. This gave me just enough time to dart toward the door. While at it, I snatched the wooden stick as I fled.

Jacob shouted curses from behind. I didn't dare to look back and kept running forward. I ran faster and faster.

A swan-shaped yacht was approaching from the distant beach. It was Travis's yacht!

I had once mentioned liking swans and he had a yacht custom-made for me.

The pain in my knees grew more intense. Using the wooden stick for support, I hobbled forward.

Seeing the yacht getting closer, hope surged within me.

Bang!

Something struck the back of my head. My mind went blank and I fell to the ground.

When I looked up again, darkness enveloped my vision. I couldn't tell if this blindness was temporary or permanent. Panic set in. I tried to get up and run but stumbled after a few steps.

"Jacob, you're suck! You can't even handle watching over a woman," a sinister voice sounded behind me.

"You wretch, you almost succeeded," Jacob's sinister voice sounded behind me. He snatched the stick from my hand and hit me a few times with indignation.

“How dare you hit me, looks like you haven't learned your lesson yet,” he shouted.

I convulsed in pain and murmured, "Stop hitting me ... let me see Travis. I'm Quilla."

Jason mocked, "If you are Quilla, I'm the King. You are like a dog dreaming of a bone. You want to meet the island master, huh? You think just anyone can see him?"

If someone hadn't reminded him that the island master was arriving soon, I have no doubt he would've beaten me to death.

"Alright, Jacob, deal with this quickly. The island master is coming; don't sully his eyes."

Reluctantly, Jacob put down the stick but didn't give me any mercy. He grabbed my leg and dragged me away.

The gravel and sand on the ground rubbed against my face, leaving behind drops of blood. My face was cut and the burning pain from it made me tremble.

Amidst the agony, I heard someone shout, "Island master."

It's Travis! This is my last chance!

Gathering my strength, I dug my fingers into the ground and crawled forward bit by bit. Even if I could only buy a little time, as long as Travis saw me, I could escape this predicament!

"Travis … Tra ...."

Before I could finish, Jacob clamped his hand over my mouth. I used all my strength to hit him, but his hand was like iron. It did not budge.

"Is there something wrong?" Travis's voice rang out. The sound was so close.

Travis! I'm Quilla! Please … save me!

My tears rained down without stopping and my hands flapped everywhere. However, Jacob's hand still clamped over my mouth and he even tightened his hand.

No matter what I said, others could only hear muffled whimpers.

Nearby, Jacob's cautious voice sounded, "Island master, she is just a disobedient island slave, who prone to babbling nonsense."

Travis seemed intrigued, "Oh? What is she babbling about? Let her speak."

Jacob hesitated before slowly releasing my mouth.

I was so happy. I fumbled a few steps toward Travis. When I touched his clothes, I grabbed them tightly.

"Travis! It's me, Quilla!" I said.

However, there was only silence; the surroundings were eerily quiet.

A somewhat familiar female voice suddenly spoke. It was the sound of that crew member, "Ha, you're mistaking someone else for the island master, yet dare to claim yourself to be Miss Shepard."

As if scalded, I released the fabric, hurriedly saying, "I was hit on the back of my head; I'm blind now."

Then I asked, "Travis, don't you recognize me?"