Chapter 2

Angel's POV

I slowly opened my eyes, only to be greeted by complete darkness. It felt as if my life had been drained from me as I weakly propped myself up. The coldness of the floor seeped into my bones, and I felt utterly helpless in the pitch-black room.

I was taken aback by the realization that I was still alive—or was I? Had I somehow been cast into hell? My mind raced with these unsettling questions.

Disoriented and overwhelmed, I felt utterly miserable and pathetic I couldn't shake the sense of despair. Just then, my stomach let out a loud growl, reminding me of my hunger.

I was starving, but could I really eat in a situation like this? Slowly, I pushed myself up from the floor, my legs unsteady and weak beneath me.

I began to feel the wall with my hands, hoping to stumble upon a door or window. To my surprise, my hand brushed against a doorknob. I twisted it and cautiously peeked outside.

I notice many people, both ladies and men, walking around, but their clothing and expressions seem strange to me.

Suddenly, a memory flashes back—perhaps it’s from earlier, or maybe it’s a new day. The outfits of those passing by remind me of the two individuals who trailed behind the masked man.

Tears begin to stream down my face as I recall the horrific scene of my father's brutal torture before he was killed, and how my mother was also murdered by that merciless man.

Why didn't he kill me alongside my parents? Did he simply want to torment me like my father before ending my life? The thought of it brought painful tears to my eyes.

What could be more agonizing than witnessing my parents being murdered right before me? I began to hear the people around me talking about my father, and I listened intently.

"That criminal's daughter was brought to the clan yesterday. I can't believe the boss chose to bring her here instead of just getting rid of her," a young girl remarked as she walked alongside three others.

"What do you expect? He brought her here to make her experience the same pain her father caused him and his mother," another lady responded.

"I can't stand her. I wish she would just die already. She has her father's blood in her veins, and I know she's just like him," a third lady added.

"Don't say that; she might be innocent and unaware of everything," the last lady interjected, but the others shot her a glare.

"Are you really defending that family? Do you have any idea how much pain they've caused our boss, turning him into the person he is now? If he were here, you'd have been killed by now," the first lady retorted.

"Okay, I get it. I'm not defending them, but why are you all looking at me like that?" the last lady replied, but the others just rolled their eyes and walked away.

"I said I'm sorry! Please wait for me!" The lady hurried after them, and when they disappeared from view, I broke down in tears.

"What could my father have done to the devil and his mother that I have to suffer like this?" Tears streamed down my face as I pondered the unfairness of it all. But when I finally lifted my head, my heart raced as I noticed a man watching me through the small hole I had been peeking through. Without thinking, I closed the door.

Oh my gosh! Who is that? Is he here to kill me? His expression is blank, and he looks menacing, but he doesn't have the same terrifying presence as the man who murdered my parents.

I waited for a few minutes, but no one attempted to open the door. I opened it again, and there was still no one in sight. I let out a sigh of relief.

I stepped out of the room, I could sense my disheveled appearance—I felt grimy and knew I must smell bad since I hadn’t bathed.

As I kept moving forward, I didn't come across anyone, but the deeper I went, the more I caught the enticing aroma of fried chicken. My stomach growled in response, reminding me just how hungry I was.

Despite the dire situation I found myself in, an unexpected wave of hunger hit me. Whether I was on the brink of death or survival, I couldn't resist the enticing aroma that beckoned me. I followed the scent and soon found myself in the kitchen.

There, a tray overflowing with chicken caught my eye, and my mouth watered instantly. I grabbed a chicken and took a huge bite, devouring it hungrily and quickly, hoping to finish before anyone noticed me. But just as I was about to take another bite, a sudden scream pierced the air.

"Thief! There's a thief in the kitchen!" the woman screamed, prompting another maid to rush to the door. Meanwhile, I took another bite of the chicken in my hand, continuing to chew despite the chaos around me.

Suddenly, four burly men burst into the kitchen, sending a jolt of fear through me. Two of them seized my arms and dragged me out of the kitchen, taking me to who knows where.

The chicken slipped from my grasp as I continued to chew the piece in my mouth, anxiety bubbling up inside me about what would happen next.

The fear was evident on my face until I laid eyes on him—the heartless man who had murdered my parents, the masked figure who had ripped away my only family. Though I loathed him and longed to take my revenge, terror consumed me as I trembled in the grip of the two men holding me.

We halted in front of Venom who had been watching me from a distance. As we approached, I noticed another man beside him; he had a softer demeanor and didn’t seem as intimidating as Venom.

“Boss, she stole from the kitchen— not just any food, but the meal specifically prepared for you,” one of the men holding me said. I glanced up at the masked man, unable to read his expression, but I could feel that I was in deep trouble.

"You don't make eye contact with the boss." The second man holding me struck me in the face, and I lowered my head in pain.

"What do you plan to do with her, Venom?" the man beside him inquired.

"After what your father did, you still dare to steal from me," Venom replied, his tone laced with a smirk, yet his voice remained menacing and intimidating.

"Take her to the dungeon."