Chapter 187 You Are Just a Madman
Isabella had barely stepped into the apartment when she saw William sitting on the couch, head tilted back, eyes cold and fixed on her.
"You're back. I'm taking you somewhere."
She had just gotten home, and now he was dragging her out again. She didn't ask where. She knew better. He never took her anywhere good.
But when the car pulled into Blackthorn Compound, a chill gripped her entire body. She had no idea what she'd done wrong this time, why William had brought her here.
Was this about Juniper? Was he still angry over that?
Or was it because she'd gone to that competition and hadn't returned on time?
She feared this place, but she feared even more the threat of being locked away in that isolated cottage.
William got out of the car. Alvin approached, freezing for a split second when he saw Isabella, then quickly masking it.
"Mr. Spencer, you're here."
"Where is he?" William asked casually.
Alvin led the way. "Just like you ordered, he's been in the water cell for a day. Now he's strung up in the woods."
William raised an eyebrow, satisfied, then turned to Isabella with a look heavy with meaning.
Her heart pounded harder and harder. She followed him into the woods at Blackthorn Compound, and the moment she looked up, it felt like she’d been plunged into ice.
Donny hung from a tree, bound with thick rope. His clothes were torn, blood streaking the corner of his mouth, a gash on his forehead still bleeding, his face deathly pale.
Why was Donny here?
When he saw her, Donny forced a weak smile.
"Don't come closer!"
"Like the surprise?" William wrapped an arm around Isabella's waist from behind, pinning her against him, his chin resting on her shoulder, voice cold and venomous. "He was so curious about you. I thought I'd let him experience it firsthand. He should be honored."
Isabella trembled uncontrollably, her teeth chattering, the sight in front of her twisting her stomach violently.
The nightmare from her past was being dragged back into reality—only this time, William had chosen someone else to torture the same way.
She struggled desperately, her voice breaking into a sob. "William, please, let him go. This has nothing to do with him. It's all my fault. Whatever you want, take it out on me. Please, just let him go."
She couldn't let Donny get hurt because of her. He'd helped her so much. She couldn't drag him into this.
She hated herself. She was cursed. Everyone who got close to her ended up suffering.
William raised his hand. Dylan pulled out a stack of photos and tossed them at her.
"Look at this. Look at the disgusting things you've been doing behind my back. What the hell have you two been up to?"
Isabella looked down at the photos scattered across the ground. All of them were of her and Donny.
Pictures of them walking side by side down a small town road, eating together at a restaurant.
The most recent were from John's house. One stood out—Donny holding her in his arms. Whether it was taken from a deceptive angle or whether Donny had actually kissed her, she couldn't remember.
William saw the shock on her face, as if she'd been caught in the act.
Donny stared at the photos, stunned. He hadn't expected William to have him followed.
That photo—it was from when Isabella had been hurt and couldn't walk fast. He'd carried her out of pity. And when she'd been dazed, he'd kissed her forehead without thinking. He hadn't known someone was watching.
"William, Isabella and I, we're—"
"It was me. I seduced him. Punish me. Keep me at Blackthorn Compound. Let him go."
Her words stunned them both. Donny hadn't expected her to take all the blame.
William hadn't expected her to admit to seducing another man just to protect him.
Even though he knew she was lying, her defense of Donny made him furious. Made him snap.
When William didn't respond, Isabella pressed on. "It's all my fault. I faked a mental illness to get close to him. He had no idea. Please, let him go. Do whatever you want to me."
"Isabella, stop. Please. I won't let you degrade yourself like this." Donny struggled violently, the ropes biting deeper, choking him further.
"Shut up. This is my fault. It has nothing to do with you. I'll take responsibility."
She couldn't let anything happen to Donny. She wouldn't let him get hurt because of her.
William watched her desperate pleas, his rage finally breaking through what little control he had left. His roar exploded through the woods, shaking the branches.
"Isabella, you're unbelievable. You'll throw away every shred of dignity you have left for him." He shoved her away violently, then turned to Alvin. "Bring the iron whip. Let her see what happens to the man she's protecting."
Alvin didn't hesitate. He immediately had someone bring the whip studded with iron barbs. Isabella's eyes widened in horror. She knew how much that whip hurt—she'd passed out after just two lashes.
This shouldn't happen to Donny. He was a good man. He'd done so much for the people in town, done so much for her. He couldn't be hurt.
She tried to rush forward to block it, but William yanked her back. "Do it. Make it count. Don't stop until I say so."
"No! Please, don't…" Isabella screamed, but she couldn't stop his order.
The iron whip cut through the air and struck Donny's body, instantly opening a bloody gash. Donny let out a muffled groan, sweat and blood streaming down his forehead.
Isabella lunged forward in a frenzy, trying to stop it, but William grabbed her by the collar and dragged her back. He wrapped one hand around her throat, forcing her head up to watch.
"How does this feel?" William's voice was cold and vicious. "Open your eyes and watch. See what happens to the man you're so desperate to protect."
Tears streamed down Isabella's face as she looked at him, but she didn't struggle. Her throat made small, broken sounds, tears falling silently onto his arm.
If strangling her would satisfy him, she'd die by his hand—so long as he let Donny go.
Donny saw her face turning red, her breath choking, and shouted, "William, you psycho! Come at me if you've got the guts! Let her go, you sick bastard!"
That was the final spark. William kicked Isabella hard in the knee, forcing her to the ground, then yelled at Alvin, "What, you didn't eat today? Hit him harder!"
The whip fell faster. Donny's muffled groans turned into raw, ragged screams. Even though he tried to hold them back, his body couldn't control the reaction.
His body swayed in the air, blood tracing jagged lines across his skin, every breath tasting of iron.
Isabella shook her head in agony. "Stop. Please, stop. Don't hit him anymore…"