The young man pointed out the direction for me.

I went into the bathroom, finished using the toilet, and was washing my hands with cold water when the comments appeared again.

[The male lead is so smart! He predicted Beatrice's moves and waited for her in this unit ahead of time.]

[Beatrice finally walked right into the trap. Hehe. The male lead even prepared a little locked room just for her! A thrilling, sweet, forced-romance arc is about to begin!]

I stared at the comments as a chill crept down my spine. I clenched my jaw so hard that my teeth rattled.

I replayed everything in my head and finally realized what felt off.

His face was caked in such heavy makeup that I couldn't see what he really looked like. He'd casually said he worked as a livestreamer, yet there wasn't a single piece of streaming equipment in the apartment.

Regret hit me hard. I'd been far too careless.

"Miss, are you done yet?"

At that moment, a voice tinged with suspicion came from outside the door. I looked at the shadow cast on the door panel. He was holding a long rope.

With danger pressing in, I suddenly turned on the shower at full blast and raised my voice.

"I want to take a shower. It'll take a while."

It sounded like he was chuckling. "Take your time."

When the shadow disappeared from the door panel, I wiped away my tears and frantically thought about how to escape.

My gaze landed on the shower curtain. The roar of the running water covered the noise I made.

I struggled to tear the curtain into long strips and tied them together, then tugged hard to test their strength.

After tying the makeshift rope to a water pipe, I didn't hesitate. I climbed out the window and slid down along the curtain.

It wasn't long enough. It only reached the third floor.

Hanging in midair, I clenched my jaw, stared down at the dark lawn below, let go, and jumped.

I landed on the soft grass, rolled several times, and finally slammed into a bench by the street before stopping.

My entire body burned with pain. Holding back sobs, I forced myself up and limped away.

[Why is Bea so stubborn? Wouldn't it be better to enjoy life obediently in the male lead's arms?]

[It's fine. Once she reaches the guardhouse, she'll realize the security guard has already been bought off by the male lead. She won't be able to escape.]

The moment I saw those comments, I changed direction and ran straight toward the underground parking garage.

The empty garage filled me with despair. Those two jerks would definitely find me here.

There were still five hours until dawn. Where could I possibly hide until then?

Heavy footsteps echoed through the empty garage. Seeing only a handful of parked cars, I panicked and crawled underneath one of them.

I watched four legs draw closer. Filthy curses drifted to my ears.

"That wretch really knows how to run! Once we catch her, I'm going to have some real fun with her."

"Don't rush. Without marriage, what you're talking about is illegal. Once I marry her, you can do whatever you want."

That gentle voice carried a bone-chilling coldness. I trembled with fear.

"The wretch injured her shoulder and leg. She can't have gone far. Let's search carefully."

Hidden beneath the car, I watched them begin a meticulous search. They even checked under the vehicles.

As they drew closer to the car I was hiding beneath, a sense of despair rose in my chest.

'Am I really going to be caught?'