Chapter 3 Has Taken My Innocence

In the distant town of Wrumlas, the capital city of Adaron.

Helena's senses gradually returned to her as she first noticed an unfamiliar ceiling overhead.

When she attempted to rise, she discovered her hands and feet were securely tied, her body forming a stark "X" against the bed.

Her efforts to free herself caused the chains to clink loudly, sending waves of despair through her.

At least her captors had been somewhat thoughtful, padding the handcuffs with cotton.

Unaware of her location, Helena realized she was now under the control of a ruthless tyrant, and her chances of escaping without harm were slim.

"Awake?" The question came in a chilled tone from a dark corner.

Helena remained still, fearing any movement might provoke the formidable figure she had yet to see.

She turned towards the source of the voice.

There sat Charlie, enveloped in darkness on the sofa, only his smoking hand visible in the dim light, with the tobacco's aroma drifting through the air.

He stood and approached her, his eyes never leaving her as he came closer.

Pale and delicate, Helena's face drew attention to the bright red mole by her eye, which made her slightly tilted eyes even more noticeable.

Silently, he just watched her, his expression harsh and unyielding, like an animal observing its trapped prey.

Confusion flickered in Helena's eyes.

Just then, Jace Griffiths, Charlie's assistant, walked in and presented a stack of papers to him. "Mr. Wallace, I have the report."

While keeping his eyes fixed on Helena, Charlie instructed, "Read it."

A flutter of panic touched Helena's heart.

A report? What sort of report could it be?

She wondered if it might be a medical report about her condition.

Concerns about pregnancy loomed over her, knowing the risks if true.

The possibility of carrying a child terrified her; an illegitimate child would never be accepted by the prominent Wallace family.

Driven by desperation, Helena began to wriggle more intensely, the sound of her chains reverberating through the vast room.

Charlie's expression darkened with a hint of annoyance, tilting his head upward as the chains rattled.

Quick to act, one of his bodyguards realized Helena posed no threat of escape and moved to unlock her restraints.

As Helena straightened up, her wide collar shifted, revealing more skin than intended from her previous struggles. Her hair, tawny and somewhat curly, stuck to her face, and her large eyes conveyed a naive fear, much like a startled deer.

For a moment, Charlie's eyes dwelled on her exposed neck, his expression growing more intense.

Feeling his stare, Helena took a daring step forward, draping her arms around his neck and softly pressing her cheek to his, showing a vulnerable reliance on him.

Surprised by her closeness, Charlie's initial instinct was to retreat, yet the subtle fragrance of her body halted his hand, which instead found its way to her slim waist.

Jace looked away, feeling out of place.

Helena used that moment to swipe the report from Jace's grasp, holding it upside down as she blabbed playfully, "Fun, fun."

Relief washed over her as she looked through a column of numbers and letters.

The document turned out to be a medical report, revealing, to her relief, that she was not pregnant.

Trying to appear merely curious, she relaxed her posture and casually fluttered the report through the air.

As the paper rustled, Charlie observed her with a detached expression.

Jace said, "Mr. Wallace, perhaps this lady's not quite right in the head, which was probably why she had been sold to the club by those people."

Grabbing Helena's arm firmly, Charlie scrutinized her face closely.

He pinched her cheek, leaning in with a menacing whisper. "A lack of intellect isn't a concern of mine."

Helena met his stare, her face blank but her mind racing with fear.

It became painfully clear from his statement that he had no plans to release her.

A twitch of Jace's mouth betrayed his concern. "Mr. Wallace, do you intend to keep her? Wouldn't this upset your grandmother?"

"She's been after me to settle down. Tell her this woman's taken my innocence. She must now take responsibility."

Helena internally seethed at the audacity. "Who took whose virginity here?!" she thought, secretly fuming.

Jace nodded dutifully. "Very well, sir. I'll relay your message at once."