Upon regaining consciousness, Cecilia realized she was in a dark private room. The interior decor of the room was unique. It was different from the style people from Jacksonburg preferred.

She thought the decor style was more to the taste of Samuel Lance's lackeys from Bryndale.

Wine bottles were scattered on the table. A few of them still had some wine in them. The wine glimmered slightly.

Feeling uneasy, Cecilia budged slightly. Suddenly, the lights turned on. However, it wasn't very bright.

A woman with sunshades on was sitting on the bench near her. Behind her were several muscular men. When she waved, one of them stepped forward and grabbed Cecilia by the face. He then grabbed a bottle of wine and forced her to drink it.

As the pungent taste of alcohol filled her senses, her face contorted. Her eyes reddened, while her insides felt like they were on fire.

"Who are you?" she asked.

The woman remained silent. She merely rose to her feet and signaled to the men, who surrounded Cecilia.

In a blur, Cecilia caught a whiff of a familiar scent. What was it? She tried her best to remember, but she was slipping off into unconsciousness.

"You can have her."

Those words sent chills running down Cecilia's spine. She stared at the men in fear as drowsiness overcame her and hallucinations filled her line of sight. She bit hard on her lips until she slowly regained consciousness.

"I'm Henry Gibson's lover. He won't let you get away with this when he finds out!" she screamed. Panic engulfed her as she watched them close in on her. She could see her flustered self reflected in their eyes.

Suddenly, there was a loud thud as the door flew open. The commotion sent dust flying everywhere as a man entered, giving off a menacing air.

Trying her best to move, Cecilia fell to the ground as her chair toppled. She stared at the black leather shoes as they came nearer.

…

Cecilia had a dream. There were many people in that dream.

She had a throwback to three years ago when she was thrown into the sea. She floated with the current, and her life was on the line. In the confusion, she clearly heard someone calling her name.

"Layla."

That was the name Bennett gave her. He said the nights he spent with her were nothing short of beautiful dreams.

In her dream, she sobbed as she reached out in a panic. Screaming, she woke up with a start.

Bennett was sitting by her bedside. His expression was cold. Cecilia wiped her eyes frantically. She was unnerved. "W-Why are you here…"

"Why? Did you think it was Henry?" Bennett scoffed. "If I hadn't come to your rescue, do you know what would've happened to you?"

Memories of the events that happened before she lost her consciousness resurfaced. As stubborn as she was, she knew she had to thank him. "Thank you."

There was a knock on the door. Someone entered holding an item. "The medicine is ready."

Cecilia frowned and instinctively cowered under the blanket. Bennett noticed her actions and smiled slightly. He took the syringe from the newcomer.

Cecilia's eyes widened, and her hair stood on end. She stared at him warily. He snapped open the ampoule and drew the liquid in it into the syringe.

With a calm expression, he held the syringe up. As though oblivious to the shock and fear on her face, he instructed, "Come here."

Cecilia shook her head violently and backed away from him. "No, no! Please let me go, Bennett!"

Bennett attempted to grab her. Screaming, she slapped his hand away and resisted him with all her might.

"Come, or I'll force it on you." Bennett didn't have much patience. When he said that, his gaze was stern.