Andrew and Emily had just entered the private room when Erick immediately followed and closed the door.
They were greeted with a chaotic scene - the table in one of the rooms was still cluttered with plates and bowls from a meal.
On the sofa in the other room, there were at least ten gangsters, each accompanied by a prostitute.
Charles sat in the middle, embraced by two women.
The one on his left appeared to be a young prostitute, while the one on his right exuded a mature and seductive aura, dressed in luxurious attire, resembling a gangster's companion.
There was no sign of Jason in the room.
Andrew felt a sense of panic and turned to Erick, asking, "Where is the principal?"
Erick, the experienced one, maintained his smile and replied, "Oh, he's on his way and will be here soon. Please have a seat for now."
Andrew's anxiety grew, and he suggested, "Shouldn't we wait outside?"
At that moment, Charles interjected, "Why don't you just disappear? Kneel over there!"
Andrew trembled at the command.
Suddenly, Emily asked, "What do you want from us?"
The woman beside Charles, adorned with jewelry, snapped, "Are you deaf? The boss told you to kneel aside!"
Emily grabbed Andrew's hand and said, "Let's go!"
Erick's expression darkened as he said, "I'm afraid you won't be leaving."
Emily immediately took out her phone to call for help, but the woman swiftly kicked her in the abdomen, causing her to stumble and hit her head on the wall, dropping the phone.
Picking up the phone, the woman threatened, "Kneel quietly on the side, or I'll let my brothers have their way with you!"
Andrew, in fear, embraced Emily and pleaded, "We'll kneel, we'll kneel."
The woman then asked Andrew, "Do you have a landline at home?"
"Yes, we do."
"Call immediately and bring your little brother here!"
"He's not home; he went out after dinner."
"Fine, call every fifteen minutes until you bring your little brother here!"
Andrew supported Emily as they knelt near the entrance of the second room.
Emily had never experienced such humiliation. With her temperament, she would fight to the end, even if it meant risking her life.
But one sentence from the woman frightened her. Death wasn't the scariest outcome; being violated by this group would be far worse.
The woman looked at Andrew and Emily, then asked Erick, "Are you sure about this, bro? Can such a cowardly person really have a brother?"
Erick reached out and caressed her face, "Do you think Henry and his brother were born to be pushovers?"
The woman smirked and playfully hit Erick's chest, "Looks like you've been hurt too. I was planning to have some fun with you tonight, but it seems that's not happening."
"You little tease!" Erick pinched her chest, "Let's deal with his brother first. By the way, any progress with Charles today?"
The woman smiled, "Haven't you noticed a younger one sitting next to him?"
Charles chuckled, "Victoria, why the rush? Seeing you with that guy just now got me excited. After I'm done with that country bumpkin, I'll take care of you!"
So, this woman's name was Victoria, and Emily had etched it into her memory.
Victoria tossed her hair and defiantly said, "Who will take care of whom? After it's all over, make sure you don't need to lean on the wall!"
"Hahaha."
Erick took the phone from Victoria and walked over to Andrew and Emily, handing it to Andrew. "Make a call and see if your little brother is home."
Andrew, trembling, took the phone from Erick and dialed three times, but no one answered at home.
"My brother just left; he won't be back so soon."
"Alright," Erick said, "then you two kneel there until your brother arrives."
"Boss, about Jason..."
Before he could finish, Erick swiftly slapped Andrew, sending his glasses flying. "You're still thinking about that Jason? Even if the leaders from the province or the city come, they won't be able to save you!"
Andrew was dazed by the slap, only hoping that Henry would come back and answer the call.
At that moment, he wasn't thinking about having Henry come to their rescue or seeking revenge.
He just wanted the truth to come out. Once Henry arrived, they would let go of him and Emily, right?
If there was punishment or retribution, it would be directed at Henry.
He even considered that as long as these people spared him, he would endure any humiliation, even if it meant Emily being insulted.
This thought had taken root in his mind since Victoria's words.
He didn't want to lose his life here.
He still dreamed of becoming an associate professor, a professor, a vice principal, a principal, and perhaps catching the eye of a leader, embarking on a glorious career and bringing honor to his family and village.