I protected my head by gripping it with both hands. My back and spine felt like they had suffered serious damage. Several handfuls of my hair were pulled out. Enduring the intense pain, I curled up on the ground and tugged at the pant leg of the person who had hit me. Picking up the phone that had fallen in the chaos, I freed up one hand and quickly sent a distress text message to my family.

My eyes gradually blacked out from the beating. I gritted my teeth and called Chad, refusing to give up.

Once, twice... The call still did not go through, as I was kicked and beaten repeatedly.

Then, I was tied up on my back to a cart while everyone went to claim their rewards.

Kelly closed in slowly, holding a dagger. The cold, glinting blade reflected the ferocity in her eyes. "I'm telling you. I found that black card in Chad's bag long ago. I thought it was an anniversary gift from him, but I never expected it to end up in your hands. I secretly reported the loss and reissued it, so your black card has long been transferred to my name. I'm telling you now… Chad is mine. Don't even think about him!"

She had a frenzied expression on her face as she waved the dagger in front of me. "You rely on your face to seduce people, right? I'll cut it up. Let's see how a vixen like you can still seduce others after that!"

Kelly's tone suddenly became fierce, baring her teeth as if she was about to attack.

I was pale and on the verge of passing out. I gulped, turned my face away, and tremblingly pleaded, "I'm telling you, your actions are criminal! If you stop now, I'll let it go. Otherwise, things won't be settled so easily when my parents get here."

The cold blade danced back and forth in front of my face. My breathing grew heavier, and her movements slowed down.

I thought I had escaped, but she cut a long gash across my arm.

The air was thick with the smell of blood, and bright red blood flowed all over the floor. It was a horrifying sight.

Kelly spat in my face. "I'm telling you… Forget about your parents. Even if Chad comes, I won't spare you! How dare you steal my Chad?! Go to hell!"

She raised the dagger and stabbed it toward my eye.

My heart stopped. Just as the tip of the dagger was about to pierce my eye, a strong and powerful hand grabbed the blade.

A panicked male voice echoed from above. "Kelly, what are you doing? Have you lost your mind?"

Kelly looked over, her eyes filled with surprise. "Chad, why are you here? I'm dealing with a thief. She stole baby products from our supermarket and had the audacity to claim to be your sister. How disgusting!"

She quickly put away the dagger and muttered distressedly as she bandaged Chad's wound. "Why did you rush over? Didn’t you leave this matter to me? How about I chop off a few of her fingers? I'll hang them on the door. That way, no one will cause trouble in the supermarket again."

Chad froze, unable to speak. The voices of two elderly people echoed from behind. "Charlene is my daughter. Who dares to touch her?!"

The two elders exuded an undeniable aura of authority. Tears welled up in their eyes the moment they saw me. "Chad, what kind of brother are you? I told you to protect your sister and this is how you do things?"

They reached out to untie me. "My dear daughter… you've suffered."

Chad's face paled from the scolding. He knelt on the ground and apologized, "I'm sorry, Charlene. I'm late."