I screamed and rushed forward to stop them, but they tied my hands behind my back and forced me to the ground.

Amid the roaring flames, Lydia clapped her hands and giggled. “You should thank us—your shabby car has never looked this good.”

Her eyes glinted with defiance, while mine were stung with tears.

Without that car, today’s distinguished guest would not be picked up on time. If that happened, he could turn into a vengeful spirit and bring disaster upon my descendants. My teeth clenched, my eyes bloodshot. “You’ll pay for burning my car.”

Nicholas strolled over and tossed a card at my feet. “It’s just a car. I’ll buy you ten to replace it.”

“Master Shenford , I don’t look down on you, but some things can’t be solved with money.”

He waved my driver’s license mockingly.

“In Kingsport, I go wherever I please. There’s nothing I can’t handle. And you, Miss Zoe Jennings—not only are you using a fake license, but something this ridiculous?”

His smile turned sly. He jerked his chin toward his men. “Search her. See what kind of dirt she’s hiding.”

It didn’t take long.

“Her grandmother was a fortune teller—no wonder she’s strange.”

“She used to claim she could see ghosts at school, got bullied, then dropped out.”

“I heard she even went insane in a mental hospital, but her family took her home. Never studied again.”

I remembered—it was in that mental hospital that I met Master Samuel, the one who recruited me as a driver for the underworld.

Lydia crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. “No wonder I felt unlucky the moment I got in the car. Turns out the driver’s a nutcase.”

I shot her a glance. If they’d never gotten in, none of this would have happened.

Because of my unusual condition, I can’t live a normal life, so I’ve been stuck ferrying souls between realms year after year.

My grandmother once comforted me: Fate changes quickly. If it can turn bad, it can turn good. Just wait.

But I couldn’t wait now—Nicholas grinned and said, “I wonder if your knees are as tough as your car.”

He wasn’t joking. A chill ran through me. Two fists can’t win against four hands. Enduring the sharp pain in my arms, I broke free and ran, but only managed a few steps before I was caught.

A thug slammed a palm across my face. “You dare to run?”

Heat and pain spread instantly, my cheek swelling. Tears pricked my eyes.

Then a wrench was pressed against my knee.

The crowd around us buzzed with excitement, eager for the show.

“Once I break your leg, I’ll buy you a new car.”

He knew exactly how to cripple someone. I hadn’t expected him to follow through.

Fear surged. “Mr. Shenford, I don’t want your car or your money. If you want me to apologize, I’ll do it.”

I dropped to my knees and kowtowed hard, my forehead striking the ground with a sharp crack.

Nicholas squatted in front of me with lazy amusement. “Weren’t you so tough just now? What happened?”

“It’s too late for that. But if you take us to the guest you mentioned, I’ll let you go.”

I shook my head furiously. Affairs of the underworld are off-limits to living.

The next moment, the wrench came down hard.

Pain exploded through my leg as my kneecap split, and I collapsed, rolling on the ground, clutching my knee.

“If you know what’s good for you, take us there now.”

Nicholas' tone carried a strange fixation. But if he offended that guest, the consequences would be catastrophic—his family and friends included.

I’m no saint, but Master Samuel’s rule has always been the same: never drag the innocent into underworld matters.

Gritting my teeth, I said, “It’s useless to go. Meeting a noble person isn’t that easy.”

Lydia hurried over and clung to Nicholas' arm. “Young Master Shenford , there’s no need to waste time on her. Let’s just go back.”

Nicholas ignored her and drove his foot into my chest. “Am I being too nice to you? Keep talking nonsense, and I’ll really break your leg.”

The searing pain made my vision blur, and a mouthful of blood spilled from my lips.

When I finally caught my breath, I said, “I truly can’t afford to offend you. But for your own sake, I can’t take you with me.”

Before I could finish, the entire group erupted in laughter.

“The Shenford family rules Kingsport. What do you know, little girl?”

“Young Master Shenford, I’ve been looking for trouble lately—let me show her what ‘can’t be offended’ really means.”

“Remind her to prepare her coffin money, or she won’t even be able to pay the hospital bill.”

Their mockery came in waves. I clutched my chest, trying to speak, but no sound came. The moon was already sinking westward. I couldn’t delay any longer. I had warned them—life and death are dictated by fate, and I wanted no part in their karma.

I gritted my teeth. “Fine. I’ll take you.”

Pain stabbing through me, I was dragged into the back seat of their black car.

Nicholas even buckled my seatbelt, smirking. “Don’t even think of running. Just play along. When your little act falls apart, I’ll tie up that so-called distinguished guest and toss him into the river.”

I looked at him with pity. “It’s up to you. But if anything goes wrong, it’s on you.”

They all scoffed, certain I was bluffing, eager to watch me humiliate myself.

I ignored them and led the way to the agreed destination—a secluded private sanatorium deep in the mountains. The farther we went, the paler Nicholas became. “This… isn’t this where my old man, Edward Shenford Sr., lives?”

“He barely leaves home. No one outside the family should know where he is.”

Suddenly, his expression turned sharp. “Zoe, who are you? Are you trying to trick me?”

I stayed silent. Then his phone rang. He answered.

“Young Master, where are you? The Old Master just passed away. Madam can’t reach you—she’s frantic.”

The car went dead quietly.

Lydia broke the silence with a forced laugh. “Young Master Shenford, she’s just a lunatic. Don’t scare yourself—it’s just a coincidence.”

I sat there, holding my bloody knee, saying nothing.

When we arrived, Maggie Shenford, clad in black, rushed out. Her eyes went first to her pale-faced grandson. “Nicholas, your grandfather just died, and you’re still out playing? How unfilial!”

Then she spotted me in the car, my knee soaked in blood, lips tightly pressed together. “Miss Jennings, what happened? Why didn’t you drive here as planned?”

I glanced at the stunned faces of Nicholas and his companions, let out a bitter laugh, and shook my head. “Madam, perhaps you should ask your good grandson.”

Just then, a heavy wave of resentment surged from the house.