Darian rose, his eyes ablaze with fury and insanity.

Lilah had arrived just in time.

He was eager to demonstrate to Lilah the extent of her confidant's suffering.

A malicious laugh escaped him as he pictured Lilah's reaction upon entering.

As the villa's gate swung open, two bodyguards in black stepped out to meet Lilah, insisting on a weapon check.

Without objection, Lilah removed her coat and turned around for inspection.

Her attire was simple yet practical: a white T-shirt, jeans, and white sneakers.

As she prepared to enter, a chilling breeze carrying the scent of blood brushed past her.

A sense of dread filled Lilah's heart, and she hastened her steps toward the entrance.

Through the transparent glass door, she caught sight of Hadley's battered form on the floor, her bloodied hair concealing her face.

Faced with the gruesome view, terror quickly seized Lilah's heart which made her hesitate. Although shocked, her gaze never left Hadley.

The men with her noticed this and took the chance to rub salt onto her wound with a smug smile.

“Oh, that girl?" one of them said, pointing at Hadley. "She was a beauty, really. Shame, her alluring face and body got all dirty."

Another man agreed to his gross innuendo. "What a shame, indeed. How she felt was unforgettable! She could be a little curvy, but it was still heavenly!"

Their voices were both purposely loud for Lilah. However, she didn't let them get to her. She remained silent while squatting down to tie her shoelaces.

This made her fall behind the two guards who led her inside. When they noticed she wasn't following them inside, they shouted at her impatiently.

Lilah remained composed as she entered the living room wordlessly.

Inside, the air was thick with the stench of blood. Then, Lilah saw what they did to Hadley in full display. The poor girl was unconscious on the floor like a broken, lifeless doll tainted with reds and violets as proof of the horror she went through.

Lilah's composure quickly crumbled as she rushed over to Hadley. She held her by the shoulders, which exposed her red-stricken face cut deeply across.

Lilah's chest heaved with heartache as she remembered how important Hadley's face was to her because Lilah complimented it. She once mentioned that Hadley would get so far in the entertainment industry with her sweet and angelic face.

"Sometimes, life's all about timing, don't you agree?" Darian told Lilah smugly with a grin. "She lost consciousness just moments before you arrived! Well, if you want, I can help you wake her up with some water."

"Did you do this to her?" Lilah's voice and gaze shook with fury and sadness as she raised her head to meet the eyes of Darian.

But Darian wasn't even taken aback by her murderous gaze. Instead, the man laughed out loud and casually leaned back on his seat.

“Can't you see by yourself? Why'd you have to still ask? Come on, woman!"