I was in the midst of fighting for our company’s overseas expansion when my husband volunteered to take my autistic brother out for some fresh air. Worried, I decided to check on them at the secluded forest resort Lucas had mentioned. Upon arrival, I discovered that all the familiar staff assigned to care for my brother had been replaced by strangers. In a panic, I learned that my brother was being held captive deep in the primeval forest. When I finally reached him, Henry was barely clothed and covered in wounds, surrounded by poisonous insects and wild animals. The brother we had so carefully protected was left to die in the dense jungle by these people. Remembering my husband’s sinister expression when he heard that the company shares would be transferred to my brother’s name, a chill ran through my heart. How dare he lay hands on my family? He must have a death wish. … While I was away on a business trip for the company’s overseas operations, my husband Lucas called to say he wanted to take my brother out for some fresh air. My brother Henry suffers from severe autism. Lucas suggested that exposure to nature might help, so he wanted to take him to a secluded forest resort to try it out. I was pleased that Lucas was considering my brother’s condition and readily agreed. But Henry has always been extremely dependent on familiar environments and people. I couldn’t help but worry, constantly concerned that others wouldn’t be able to care for him properly. So a few days later, when my work reached a stopping point, I immediately boarded a private jet to the secluded forest resort. After all, I hadn’t inspected this resort invested in by our family yet. It would be good to take a break there as well. When the resort manager saw me arrive, he immediately came over with a smile: “Miss Yates? What brings you here so suddenly?” “I’m here to see my husband and brother,” I replied casually, though an uneasy feeling was growing in my heart. The smile on the manager’s face suddenly froze: “Well, you see, Miss Yates, Mr. Martin has arranged a very cutting-edge immersive nature therapy for Mr. Henry. The treatment process can’t be disturbed by any outside interference, so… why don’t I arrange a meeting for tomorrow?” What nature therapy? Lucas hadn’t mentioned anything like that to me. I frowned and looked around. The resort was very quiet and the scenery was beautiful, but something felt off. In this huge resort, there was only this slick manager in front of me and a few unfriendly-looking unfamiliar security guards in the distance. The trusted staff and medical team originally responsible for taking care of my brother were nowhere to be seen. “Where are my people?” My voice turned cold. The manager wiped his sweat, his eyes shifty. “Mr. Martin said they weren’t professional enough and their ideas were outdated, so… he sent them back.” The team members responsible for my brother’s care were all top experts headhunted from around the world at great expense. How could they be unprofessional? My unease grew stronger. My instincts told me that something was definitely being hidden from me. Asking this man in front of me was clearly useless, so I pretended to nod: “Alright, I’m tired too. Why don’t you arrange a room for me first, and I’ll see them tomorrow.” Hearing me say this, the manager visibly relaxed and showed me to a room. After dismissing everyone, I made an excuse about taking a walk and quietly went outside the resort. A few tanned locals were squatting in the shade, chatting idly. “Those new city folks are so cruel. How can anyone survive in that forest?” “It’s such a sin a sin, tying up that poor young man in the Devil’s Grove.” “Devil’s Grove… that place is full of dangerous beasts at night. Someone could easily die there!” My blood seemed to freeze instantly. The unease in my heart was almost overwhelming. I walked over quickly, pulling out a wad of cash and slapping it down in front of one of the locals. “Take me to Devil’s Grove.” The guide was startled by the money in my hand and the expression on my face. He hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded. We plunged into the depths of the primeval forest that the locals considered forbidden territory. After walking for who knows how long, he stopped and pointed to a huge, vine-covered ancient banyan tree in the distance. “That’s… the place.” I pushed aside the last giant fern blocking our path. The sight before me made me feel like I’d fallen into an icy pit. My brother was tightly bound to the giant banyan tree known as “Devil’s Grove” with a coarse hemp rope. His shirt was torn to shreds, barely covering his body. His once fair and delicate skin was covered in scratches and swollen bumps from insect bites. Some areas had even started to fester and rot, a horrific sight. His eyes were unfocused and dull. When I rushed over, he didn’t even recognize me at first.
“Henry!” I scrambled over on all fours to untie those damned ropes from his body. The hemp ropes had cut deep into his flesh, leaving dark red, almost black, bloody marks. I couldn’t bear to imagine how long he had been tied up in this terrifying place. As soon as the ropes were undone, he collapsed into my arms. He looked at me helplessly, his eyes full of uncontrollable anxiety and fear, but unable to speak. He whimpered weakly, tears falling in large drops. I held him tightly, my heart aching unbearably. After comforting him for a while, I lifted my brother onto my back, desperate to leave this green hell immediately. When we finally made it back to the resort, I found it completely deserted. Thinking of that lying manager, I wanted nothing more than to tear him to pieces. But the most important thing now was to treat Henry’s wounds. I would settle this score later, without fail. Under the remote guidance of a doctor, I treated my brother’s wounds and then soothed him to sleep. Watching his haggard little face finally calm down, my heart settled back a bit. But soon, an overwhelming tidal wave of fury swept through my entire body. My brother had been tortured like this, and Lucas couldn’t be innocent. He had promised to take good care of Henry, so why had he allowed this to happen? If it was his responsibility, I wouldn’t let him off easy either. I walked out of the room, determined to find him and demand an explanation no matter what. Not paying attention, I almost collided head-on with an impeccably made-up woman. It was Charlotte Chen, Lucas’s personal secretary. I had long heard rumors about her and Lucas. But Lucas always explained things away perfectly, and I chose to believe him every time. Charlotte looked shocked to see me, but quickly changed to undisguised provocation. “Samantha? You really are like a ghost that won’t stay away. I can’t believe you found your way here.” She looked me up and down. “Well, that saves me the trouble of having to send someone to notify you.” As she spoke, she gently stroked her still-flat belly, a victorious smile on her face. “I’m pregnant with Lucas’s child.” “You barren hen, don’t think you can hold onto the title of Mrs. Martin any longer.” Looking at her arrogant face, I felt nothing but disgust. To spare Lucas’s ego, I had never revealed my true identity in any public setting. I helped him register the company, using all of the Yates family’s connections and resources to pave a smooth road for him. But in the eyes of his employees, I was just an ordinary housewife who had married into a wealthy family. “Was it you who did this to my brother?” My voice was ice cold. Charlotte snorted with laughter, crossing her arms over her chest. “We just let the idiot get close to nature. What’s the big deal?” “Aren’t you just upset that you can’t have children yourself, so you want to trick the Martin family’s fortune away for that fool brother of yours?” “Too bad, now that I’m pregnant, your little scheme is going to fall apart!” I glared at her, struggling to contain my anger. “Say one more word, and I swear I’ll tear that lying mouth of yours to shreds!” She seemed startled by my expression for a moment. “Lucas was right, you really are a complete sister-obsessed lunatic!” I almost laughed from anger. So that husband who was so caring and gentle to my face had shamelessly fabricated this image of himself as the real CEO. And my beloved brother had become a so-called tool for coveting Lucas Martin’s pathetic fortune. Which of Lucas’s possessions wasn’t obtained through me? “Take me to Lucas right now! I’m tired of wasting words with you.” A flash of undisguised viciousness passed through her eyes. “You think seeing him will change anything? Get it through your head, you’re the cast-off shoe about to be abandoned now.” “If I were you, I’d go enjoy nature with your precious brother.” Her shameless and vicious words made me laugh out loud from anger. “You may have been mistaken about one thing from the very beginning. Everything Lucas has, I gave him.” “The one who’s going to be abandoned is him.” “I am the sole legal heir to Yates Corporation in the city.” Charlotte’s expression became complicated as she looked at me suspiciously. “You’re talking nonsense. You must be upset about me being pregnant and lashing out!” I looked contemptuously at her slightly bulging belly. “What you’re carrying is nothing but a worthless dog’s spawn.”
Charlotte was stunned for a good ten seconds. Then she dramatically clutched her stomach and burst out laughing. “Hahaha! Samantha, have you gone mad from the shock?” The security guards behind her joined in the raucous laughter. “The boss warned us that his ex-wife had some mental problems, severe delusions.” “Yeah, she played the CEO’s wife for a few years and now really thinks she’s the daughter of a billionaire? Talk about getting too into character!” “I think she’s watched too many TV dramas and her brain’s fried!” The mockery and ridicule of the crowd washed over me like a tidal wave. The smug look on Charlotte’s face grew even stronger, as if my “crazy talk” further proved her victory and my pitiful state. She seemed to have gained tremendous confidence and gave a signal with her eyes. Those burly security guards immediately understood and barged into the room behind me. Henry, who had just fallen asleep under the effects of a sedative, was roughly dragged out of bed. “Don’t hit me, don’t hit me, I don’t want to go to the forest!” My brother struggled and cried out in terror at this sudden turn of events. I stumbled, trying to stand up, but was forcefully held down by someone nearby. Charlotte walked over leisurely and gently patted Henry’s pale little face. “Poor little fool, don’t be afraid.” Her voice made my brother’s fear instantly reach its peak. “Ahhh!” He screamed and broke free from the security guard’s grip, then began frantically banging his head against the wall and violently punching himself. This was the self-harming behavior he only exhibited when extremely frightened and in pain. “Henry! No!” My heart felt like it was about to shatter. I rushed over without hesitation and held him in my arms. “Don’t be scared, Henry. Don’t be scared. Your sister is here!” I looked at the group of beasts around us with sneering faces, my lips almost bitten through. “I swear, you’ll all regret ever being born into this world!” Charlotte curled her lip in disdain, her eyes full of contempt. “The crazy woman still dares to talk tough.” “Looks like we need to use some special methods on you two lunatic siblings.” She waved her hand elegantly, and several henchmen immediately surrounded us. “I think you just need to be taught a lesson! The boss was too soft-hearted because of your marriage, but I’m not so kind.” “Take them both back to Devil’s Grove.” I angrily tried to resist but was firmly pinned down by two tall security guards, unable to move. Charlotte personally searched out my phone, playing with it smugly in her hand. “Let’s see who can save you this time.” My brother and I were dragged out of the resort. Just as I was at my wit’s end, a piercing screech of brakes rang out. A black SUV stopped in front of us. A figure I knew all too well stepped out. It was Robert Zhang. One of the board members of my father’s company, an elder with close ties to our family. “Uncle Robert?” The moment I saw him, it was like seeing a lifeline. Robert Zhang’s face was also filled with shock when he saw me restrained. “Samantha? What’s going on? Why are you here?” Before I could respond, Charlotte immediately went over and linked arms with Robert, whispering in his ear. I stared intently at Robert’s face, watching his expression change from shock to hesitation, and finally to viciousness. The whole process took no more than ten or fifteen seconds. The look in his eyes when he turned back to me no longer held any of the kindness from before, only ice-cold murderous intent. “Do as she says,” he ordered coldly to the security guards who were still hesitating. The guards hesitated a bit. After all, my identity was what it was. They couldn’t help but be somewhat wary. Robert saw through their thoughts and immediately added a strong incentive. “Five million dollars each when it’s done.” “If anything goes wrong, I, Robert Zhang, will take full responsibility.” Where there are great rewards, there will be brave people – and no conscience or scruples left. The last trace of hesitation in their eyes was completely replaced by naked greed. My brother and I were roughly grabbed by the neck and pushed step by step towards the entrance of the primeval forest. My heart sank like a stone, completely numb. Looking up, I saw Lucas impatiently swatting away mosquitoes at the entrance. He glanced at me, clearly already knowing everything, or rather, orchestrating it all. He stared at me with a half-smile, still pretending to be the perfect husband. “Darling, why are you being so disobedient?” His voice was gentle, but it sent chills down my spine. “We only needed your idiot brother to return to nature.” He walked towards me step by step, the smile on his face gradually twisting as he shed all pretense. That handsome face I had kissed countless times was now exceptionally hideous. “Since you’re seeking death, I’m afraid you’ll have to accompany him on his journey.” I stared at him coldly. “Lucas, do you know what you’re doing? Stop this immediately!” He shook his head contemptuously. “Samantha, no one will know what happened here.” “The lives of you and your brother will end with a casually explained accident.” I looked at this beast in human skin before me, my heart turning to ash. I knew he would never let me go. I suppose this outcome was inevitable from the moment he learned that most of the family shares would go to my brother. I looked at my poor brother, my heart filled with sorrow. It was all my fault for not seeing through this scumbag’s true nature sooner. I never imagined my brother would be implicated as well. “Lucas, I’m begging you, let Henry go. He’s just a child! He doesn’t know anything!” “Take my portion, it’s enough for you to live lavishly for the rest of your life.” Lucas burst into hysterical laughter. “Let him go?” “What would I get if I let him go?!” His eyes flashed with extreme malice. “Samantha Yates, why should you get billions handed to you with the snap of a finger?” “I’ve been wagging my tail and begging like a dog, watching how everyone in your Yates family looks at me!” He grabbed my hair roughly. “Now it’s finally my turn. I’m not stupid enough to give up such a good opportunity!” “Once you’re dead, Robert will work with the board to put me in charge. I want it all, dammit!” He pushed me away in disgust. We were taken back into the depths of the primeval forest by the group of security guards. This time, my brother and I were tied together to that eerie Devil’s Grove tree. The hard bark dug painfully into my back. The coarse rope cut into our flesh, bringing searing pain. Looking at the group conspiring nearby, I couldn’t help but shout angrily. “Lucas! How has my family wronged you? Henry trusted you so much, how can you bear to do this?” “I turned you from a penniless nobody into a CEO worth hundreds of millions. Wasn’t that enough?” He viciously cut off my words. “Enough? It will never be enough!” “I’ve been slaving away for your Yates family all these years. I thought I’d at least get a chance to enter Yates Corporation!” “But just because you can’t have children, that old geezer in your family wants to transfer over 50% of the shares to this idiot behind you who doesn’t even know what money is!” He roared, pointing at my trembling brother. “Why?! I refuse to accept this!” Robert Zhang behind him also chimed in ominously. “Mr. Martin is right, Samantha. You can’t blame us.” “The old man’s decision has left the board very disheartened…” “As long as we sacrifice you two siblings, we’ll all have good days ahead!”
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