Save Her!

Marcus Valentine was stunned by his uncle's words.

He gave a wry smile. "Uncle, you're not thinking of using force, are you? Our family doesn't do that sort of thing."

Mr. Valentine's gaze was icy. "How many men did you bring to San Francisco?"

He had arrived at the same conclusion as Evelyn.

Anyone capable of killing under Alexander Vance's watch and escaping unscathed was not to be underestimated.

Marcus understood the gravity. "About thirty, both visible and covert."

Mr. Valentine's jaw tightened.

He wasn't sure if it was enough.

But he had to ensure there were no mistakes.

He looked toward the Vance residence. "Borrow men from Alexander Vance."

"How many?"

"As many as possible. Surround the Ashcroft estate. Don't let a single fly escape."

"Yes!"

Marcus immediately rushed toward the Vance home.

Alexander Vance still stood in place, staring in the direction the car had disappeared.

Marcus ran up to him. "My uncle wants to borrow some men."

Alexander didn't turn his head. "See James Klein."

Marcus turned to leave but paused to clap Alexander on the shoulder.

Evelyn wanted to follow, but Zack Davis grabbed her. "Where are you going?"

Evelyn's eyes flickered. "Mr. Valentine asked me to check on Mrs. Ashcroft."

Zack looked at her strangely. "Will you be back tonight?"

Evelyn found his behavior odd, but her mind was on Sophia. "Yes."

She hurried away.

She didn't see Zack approach Alexander and say quietly, "Mr. Vance, I don't think your wife is dead!"

Alexander whipped around to face him.

Zack leaned in close, whispering into his ear…

…

Evelyn ran out of the Vance estate and saw Marcus reporting to Mr. Valentine.

She pulled open the car door and got in.

Marcus was startled. "You—"

Mr. Valentine stopped him. "She's a friend."

Marcus gave Evelyn a curious look.

Someone reported, "Sir, William Ashcroft has taken Mrs. Ashcroft home. Our men have surrounded the villa!"

"Let's go immediately!"

The Ashcroft Estate.

William carried Sophia upstairs.

Nanny Ashcroft stepped forward to help Sophia undress.

William spoke up. "I'll do it."

Nanny Ashcroft paused. "Sir?"

William stared at her stubbornly. "I said, I'll do it."

Nanny Ashcroft looked at Sophia.

Sophia's eyes were filled with despair.

William added, "Nanny Ashcroft, A-Shu and I have been married for over twenty years. Don't you trust me?"

Nanny Ashcroft was silent for a moment before nodding. "I'll step out."

Sophia watched in shock as Nanny Ashcroft closed the door and left.

The door shut.

William turned around.

"A-Shu…"

He approached and began removing Sophia's outer clothes.

When he reached her inner garments, Sophia bit her lip, silent tears streaming down her face.

Her rejection angered William.

He pulled out his belt, then stopped. "I can't hit her. We leave tomorrow. No marks can be left…"

He frowned. "How to make you submit?"

His eyes lit up. "I've got it!"

He grabbed Sophia by the hair and dragged her into the bathroom.

The bathtub was filled with water.

He forced Sophia's head under the water!

"Gurgle, gurgle…"

Bubbles rose to the surface.

William lifted her head and wiped her face. "A-Shu, are you willing to give yourself to me now?"

Sophia's face was dripping wet.

She couldn't speak, but she spat water in his face!

William wiped his face, his expression twisting. "A-Shu, you're being naughty…"

He forced her head under the water again!

Water rushed into Sophia's nose.

It felt like knives stabbing into her lungs.

Her chest burned with pain and suffocation.

Under extreme duress, her body finally reacted.

But the muscle relaxant left her too weak to push him away.

She could only struggle feebly…

Darkness crept into Sophia's vision.

The suffocation was torture.

She felt like she was dying!

She didn't want to die!

She had just been reunited with her daughter.

She didn't want to break Evelyn's heart!

A sharp pain in her scalp.

She was pulled out of the water.

She gasped for air.

It had never felt so precious!

Before she could recover, her head was forced under again!

Perhaps the drug was wearing off.

Perhaps it was sheer survival instinct.

Her hands finally regained some sensation.

She grabbed William's hands, trying to break free…

But William was too strong.

She couldn't break his grip!

"Splash!"

She was pulled out again, gasping for breath.

William pinched her chin. "A-Shu, have you thought it over?"

Sophia forced out two words. "Disgusting!"

"Smack!"

William slapped her across the face!

He pressed down on her shoulders. "Why would you rather die than be with me?"

Sophia spat out angrily, "Yes!"

"You…!"

William clenched his fist.

He tore Sophia's clothes open!

Sophia's eyes widened in terror.

She tried to cover herself.

William sneered. "A-Shu, you brought this on yourself!"

He bent his head…

Downstairs.

Mr. Valentine and Evelyn arrived.

They broke down the door.

Bodyguards flooded into the living room!

"What are you doing? Who are you?"

Nanny Ashcroft cried out, trying to stop them.

She was grabbed by the bodyguards!

Mr. Valentine scanned the room. "Where is William Ashcroft?"

It was his first time at the Ashcroft estate.

He wasn't familiar with the layout.

Evelyn saw the panic on Nanny Ashcroft's face.

She followed her gaze to the master bedroom on the second floor.

She immediately said, "There!"

Mr. Valentine and she rushed upstairs.

From behind the master bedroom door came Sophia's piercing scream. "William Ashcroft, let me go!!"