She silently yearned for a psychic connection, hoping to somehow signal distress to Lilah, confident she would come to her rescue.

Lilah, where are you? She silently called out to Lilah in her heart.

"Open your mouth!" one of the stern women in black commanded, delivering a sharp slap.

Tears streamed down Hadley's cheeks.

The pain was excruciating; her face must be swollen. She wondered if Lilah would even recognize her after she died.

“Eat this!" insisted the other woman in black, trying to force the food into Hadley's mouth.

Hadley's eyes widened in despair.

At that moment, the door burst open.

Lilah stood there, a commanding figure silhouetted by the light, her presence chilling and threatening.

Hadley caught sight of her and couldn't believe her eyes.

"How did you get here?" Ruth was the first to react, her gaze fixed on Lilah.

“If I hadn't come, would you really have killed her?" Lilah's eyes swept over Hadley's pale face, burning with fury.

Hadley was simply a naive, sweet girl, innocent of life's harsh realities.

Teasing her was one thing, but this cruelty was unacceptable.

Ruth smirked coldly. "Mind your own business. Leave before I lose my patience!"

At that moment, Hadley was thunderstruck as Lilah appeared like a heroine out of nowhere. Disbelief filled her eyes.

A rush of euphoria surged through her heart, swiftly followed by anxiety and guilt.

“Lilah, run! They're coming for me. I don't want you caught in this mess. Just go!" Despite Hadley's terror, she shouted, urging Lilah to leave at once.

"Fool," Ruth sneered icily, her glare piercing. Hadley's loyalty and concern for Lilah only fueled her rage.

“Traitor! Why weren't you this loyal when you were with me? I thought you were devoted to me back then."

Ruth bent down and patted Hadley's pallid face.

But in a sudden, fierce move, Hadley bit Ruth's hand, her eyes blazing with defiance.

Startled by the searing pain, Ruth's fury intensified. She raised her hand, ready to strike Hadley.

Instinctively, Hadley shut her eyes. The pain she was experiencing had numbed her, sapping her strength to dodge.