Chapter 430

 Chapter 430 No one knew how long the nightmare lasted. By the time Anne's thick black hair had been hacked into a mangled mess and her dress torn to shreds, the gang of women finally let her go. She collapsed onto the ground, her body limp, her vision spinning. The women who had tormented her scattered with wicked laughter, piling back into their car before speeding off into the night. Anne stared at the clumps of hair littering the ground, then down at her shredded clothes. Pain seared through every part of her body. Her mind was blank.

She tried to sit up, but her face was swollen, her nose and mouth bleeding , her body broken from the relentless blows. Even rising was nearly impossible. She couldn't believe what had just happened. It had all come so suddenly , and ended so abruptly. It was like a nightmare sprung to life. It was the most harrowing experience of her 20-some years. Her body shook uncontrollably, her thoughts scattered, and a single fear consumed her-that she might not make it out alive tonight. Clenching her jaw, she tried to craw! back to her car.

That was when she noticed headlights approaching from a distance. 'The beam cut across her face, blinding her. Dizzy and ---- disoriented, she couldn't make out a thing. The car slowed, then stopped. Just when Anne thought salvation had finally arrived, she lifted her eyes -only to see a familiar face. And of all people, it was the last one she ever wanted to find staring back at her -Giselle. Step by step, Giselle approached, looming over Anne's wrecked figure. Her expression was calm, almost amused, her lips curved in the faintest mockery. There was no pity in her eyes.

And why would there be? Compared to the pain Anne had inflicted in the past, this humiliation was nothing. "You bitch!" Anne spat through cracked lips, still unwilling to bow her head even in disgrace. "So it was you. You sent them after me. I'll sue you, do you hear me? I'll drag you into court. Twon't let this go. Mom won't let this go, you filthy whore!" Giselle's smile deepened. "Shall I call the police for you then? Let them investigate who really did this to you?" Anne glared at her, eyes burning with hatred, but her voice broke. No words came.

"Don't waste your energy," Giselle said lightly. "I just happened to pass by. I happened to witness a little show. Your misery has nothing to do with me. There are plenty of people who want you gone. I'm just lucky someone else saved me the trouble." ---- As she spoke, she deliberately scooped up a fistful of Anne's shorn hair, and dangled it before her face. Her taunts cut deeper with each word. "What a shame. You'll be stuck in wigs for the next year.

Just imagine , when Zachary tugs a little too hard in bed and that wig slips off, exposing your bald, patchy scalp, do you think he'll still find you the least bit attractive?" "Shut up!" Anne screamed, her voice raw and broken. For a woman who prized her hair above all else, losing it felt like disfigurement . Giselle's words cut deeper than any slap. Rage surged through her, mingling with despair, until she thought she might tear Giselle apart with her bare hands. Satisfied , Giselle straightened . Her point had been made. No need to waste another second.

"Remember this, Anne," she said coldly. "In the Kane family, I'm the only one allowed to stir the waters. You want to make trouble? Save it for your next life." Anne glared back, her eyes blazing with venom. "You'll pay for this, you arrogant bitch!" Giselle let out a dismissive snort. She had no interest in further quarrels. Without another glance, she turned, slid into her car, and sped away into the night. By the time she returned home and finished washing up, ready to video call Donovan, the police were already at her door.