Chapter 15 Cutting Off Fingers
The taxi cruised through the night.
David, still rattled, gripped Victoria's hand tightly, "Victoria, who was that guy? What was he after?"
"Just some crazy dude," Victoria slouched back, her voice distant and worn out.
"What about my money?"
"Dad! Seriously, money now?" Victoria shot him a look, "If you wanna live, steer clear of those mobsters. Trust me, it's not a pretty end."
The image of the gun's barrel flashed in David's mind, making him shiver, "I'm out! No more investments!"
"Good. Zip it about today, got it?" she stressed, "Especially around Xavier."
Victoria's strong demeanor left David subdued, just nodding in agreement.
From then on, David never brought up schemes or fighting back against the odds.
As Victoria's wrist healed, she geared up to return to work.
But when she reached out to the school to set up classes, they broke the news that they'd hired a new teacher during her absence.
"So, I'm canned?"
"Sorry about that."
Staring at her phone after hanging up, Victoria felt the weight of bills and debts pressing down on her, suffocating her.
'It's ironic,' she thought, 'to be a caged bird and still be this poor.'
In the days that followed, Victoria sent out resumes, but landing a job proved tough.
One day, Nathaniel, who had been silent for a while, finally reached out.
As usual, a bodyguard showed up to pick her up. But this time, it was a new face she didn't recognize.
"Miss Chase, hop in," the bodyguard's tone was icy and flat.
The car ride was silent, the air thick with tension.
When Sam used to drive her, she felt at ease. But with this new guy, she couldn't shake off the nerves.
The car stopped at a heavily guarded mansion halfway up the mountain, a place she'd never seen before.
Victoria couldn't help but be amazed by Nathaniel's vast properties.
As they reached the front door, the bodyguard motioned, "Miss Chase, Mr. Cross is waiting."
"Got it."
Stepping into the living room, she was taken aback by the sight.
A faint hint of blood lingered in the air. Two men knelt in the center, battered and bruised.
Nathaniel lounged on the main sofa, a cigar in hand, emitting a chilling vibe that could stop anyone in their tracks.
It was clear Nathaniel was handling some serious business.
Terrified, Victoria stood frozen. Could she handle this? She instinctively retreated into the shadows, hardly daring to breathe.
She caught snippets of Nathaniel's men reporting.
"When the Seaglow City shipment got intercepted, we were blindsided."
"All surveillance wiped out, can't trace the leak."
"No leads?" Nathaniel's voice was calm as he noticed Victoria and signaled for her to come closer.
Adrian glanced at Victoria and gave a subtle nod.
The two men on the ground stayed still, heads bowed.
Each step Victoria took toward Nathaniel felt like treading on thin ice.
"Could Ralph be behind this, Uncle Nathaniel? He's been active," Adrian chimed in.
Nathaniel, without a flinch, replied coldly, "You handle the Genesis Corporation's public face, steer clear of the shadows. And that AI project we poured into? Stalled."
"Understood."
Adrian's face drained of color, falling silent instantly.
"Adrian, I'm not holding you back. The Cross family's business needs a cleanup, and you're the one to lead us ahead."
"Thanks, Uncle Nathaniel," Adrian muttered, a glint of resentment and ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.
Victoria halted in the middle of the room, too petrified to approach Nathaniel.
Seemingly wrapping up, Nathaniel finally shifted his attention to the two men on their knees.
"Same as always," he casually flicked ash from his cigar, his tone as casual as discussing the weather, "Leave a finger each, then scram."
Victoria's eyes widened in horror at his words.
The men, granted a reprieve, swiftly drew knives and severed two fingers each without hesitation, blood staining the floor.
Victoria shut her eyes in fear, fists clenched, careful not to make a sound that might upset Nathaniel.
"We're leaving, Mr. Cross."
"Not so fast. Take those fingers with you."
The men grabbed the severed digits, hastily departing.
"This time it's just fingers, next time won't be as easy," Nathaniel's voice was icy as he watched them go.
The whole ordeal was ruthlessly chilling.
After everyone exited, Nathaniel motioned for Victoria to come closer.
"Nervous, huh?"
Victoria approached tentatively, her legs like jelly.
"I... I'm okay."
"You've seen a lot since you've been around me."
Nathaniel patted the sofa, and Victoria sat down.
He took her hand, inspecting it. "Is your hand injury healed?"
"Almost."
"It'll scar, won't be as pretty."
Still shaken, Victoria found Nathaniel oddly casual, engaging her in small talk.
As they conversed, Nathaniel's hand began to wander suggestively around her waist.
"Been a while since we last met. Missed me?" Nathaniel whispered, planting soft kisses.
The implication was crystal clear.
Looking around nervously on the living room sofa, Victoria hesitated.
"Don't worry, no one's coming," Nathaniel whispered softly. "Let's have some fun before dinner."
Feeling trapped, Victoria reluctantly complied to avoid further suffering.
Nathaniel wasted no time, lifting her onto his lap and guiding her to face him with her legs open.
Startled, Victoria clung to his neck for support.
Avoiding Nathaniel's intense gaze, she quickly looked away, unable to meet his eyes.
"Scared?" he inquired.
"N-no, not scared," Victoria denied, though after witnessing Nathaniel's ruthlessness, fear was only natural.
"It's okay if you are."
Nathaniel saw through her facade but remained calm.
"People in power need to instill fear in those beneath them. It's how you maintain control."
As he spoke, his hands continued their movements.
With a soft zip, Victoria felt his sizable arousal, the heat almost searing.
His rough hand slid under her skirt, tracing up her smooth leg to her delicate lace panties, pulling them aside gently.
Feeling humiliated, Victoria shut her eyes, her lashes quivering.
"Look at me," he ordered, his voice chillingly hoarse.
Forced to comply, Victoria opened her eyes, and in an instant, Nathaniel gripped her waist and thrust forcefully.
"Ah!"
No buildup!
Victoria winced in pain.
Her body was tense, making it challenging for Nathaniel to move due to her dryness.
In a low, soothing tone, he urged, "Relax... take it in."
Victoria had no choice but to force herself to relax.
Perhaps the last punishment had been too harsh, as her body had built up a tolerance. She quickly reacted, and her juices began to flow.
This time, Nathaniel didn't torment her for long. He simply held her and made love to her once.