After my best friend, Ashley, got hooked on gambling, she suddenly got super excited and said she wanted to take me to a high-stakes casino city. “I just won big, I’m treating you to a luxury hotel stay!” But once the plane landed, she dragged me straight into a private room deep inside a casino. “Look, I actually lost fifty million dollars, and if I can’t pay it back, they’re going to sell me to human traffickers.” “But the casino owner is looking for a woman with a crescent moon birthmark, and if I can help him find her, all my debts will be wiped clean!” “I saw you had one on your stomach when you showered! I’m so sorry, Maya, but I really don’t want to die!” I was pinned to the sofa by four burly men when my eyes landed on a child’s drawing hanging on the wall. It was a doodle I’d made for my dad before I was kidnapped. He cherished it, saying he’d keep it forever. Turns out, this casino owner… was my long-lost father! By the time I realized something was terribly wrong and tried to leave, it was already too late. “Maya, fifty million dollars, I just can’t pay it back! I brought you here to help me clear my debt!” I sucked in a sharp breath, my throat tightening with fear, I even forgot how to breathe. “Ashley, you sold me out?” “We’ve known each other for over ten years, you’re my best friend, and you sold me for fifty million?!” My accusation made her stumble back, shaking her head. “Don’t look at me like that… This casino owner is insanely wealthy, and the only thing he really likes is women with a crescent moon birthmark. For a woman like that, he’d wipe away any amount of gambling debt…” “He has this unusual preference, and you happen to have that birthmark. So, me bringing you here… it’s for your own good, really. What if he picks you? You’d be his mistress, loaded for life!” The image of a creepy old man flashed through my mind. I shivered, pushing her away and trying to leave. “If you want to be his mistress, go ahead. I’m going home!” But before I could even touch the doorknob, a heavy blow landed on the back of my head. “Maya, you forced my hand!” My head reeled, stars burst behind my eyes, and I stumbled a few steps before collapsing to the floor. She leaned over, snatching the pink bead from my pocket. “Don’t think I don’t know. You came with me not for a vacation, but to find your biological parents.” “Now that you’re here, if you help me with this debt, I’ll help you find your parents. But if you dare to run… you can forget about a family reunion for the rest of your life.” The pain in the back of my head was excruciating. I struggled to move my lips, my heart sinking into despair. I was kidnapped when I was five. The traffickers, afraid of exposure, immediately changed my clothes, shaved my head, and threw away everything I had. Only this bead, carved with my childhood nickname, Lark, had been hidden under my tongue. For sixteen years, I’d forgotten the way home. My memories from before I was five had faded a lot. This bead was the only thing I had left that connected me to my parents. Now the bead was gone, and with it, all hope. “Smart move.” Ashley had just finished speaking when the private room door opened. Several fierce-looking men walked in. “Ashley, right? Heard you brought something to clear your debt?” Ashley quickly pointed at me and nodded. “Gage, isn’t the boss looking for a woman with a crescent moon birthmark? This is my best friend, Maya, and she has one on her stomach!” “You see, I brought her here, so my fifty million…” The man in charge didn’t even lift an eyelid. He pulled out a chair and sat down. “What’s the rush? Let’s verify the goods first.” His subordinates immediately pounced, dragging me and pressing me onto the sofa. In a flash, they stripped off my jacket. One man reached for my T-shirt, and I kicked his shin with all my might. “Get off me! Don’t touch me!” “You bitch, you dare to kick me?” The man spat, then raised his hand and slapped my face twice. Stars burst behind my eyes, and before I could speak, a terrifying gunshot echoed through the room. The man screamed, clutching his leg as he fell backward, a bullet wound blooming on his shin. Gage stood there, gun in hand, his face expressionless. “You lay hands on her before I’m done verifying? You got a death wish?” “Get him out of here. Don’t stain the boss’s carpet.” The others, still shaken, mumbled in agreement and quickly dragged the man away. I was no longer restrained, but I was stiff with terror, afraid to move a muscle. They had guns. If I struggled again, I’d be next to get shot. In the corner, Ashley was terrified too, but a flicker of determination hardened her eyes. “Gage, she really does have a crescent moon birthmark on her stomach, the exact kind the boss wants!” Gage shot her a cold glance, and she instantly trembled, lowering her head. “You guys, go on. Make it quick, don’t waste my time.” Four more men lunged at me. I struggled backward, shrinking into the sofa, when suddenly I saw a familiar crayon drawing on the wall. It depicted a family of three flying a kite, and on the head of the little girl with pigtails in the middle, was a name I could never forget, even in death. “Lark.” I’d drawn that just before I was kidnapped. My mom adored it, and my dad had smiled, saying he’d keep it forever. It’s Dad! All these years, he’d been looking for me too! Overwhelmed with emotion, I pushed myself up on the sofa. “Is your boss’s last name…?” “So many questions. Ten to one, she’s just trying something sneaky.” Gage impatiently cut me off, aiming his gun at my forehead. “You, shut up.” “You guys, take her clothes off. Verify the goods.”
A cold dread washed over me instantly. He’d shot his own man, let alone me! Ashley trembled, whispering, trying to persuade me. “Maya, just cooperate. Once they’re done verifying, I can leave. If you keep this up, I’ll end up dead too…” Even now, she was only thinking of herself! I looked at the drawing again, deciding to play it cool for now. If Dad came after the verification, we could reunite, and all these problems would be solved. Gritting my teeth, I endured the humiliation, letting them pull up my T-shirt. Below my navel, the crescent moon birthmark was clearly visible. “Gage, this one looks real!” Gage immediately strode over. A flicker of surprise crossed his face when he saw the birthmark, and he murmured softly. “It really is exactly like the one the boss drew…” Ashley knew things were settled, and she simpered, trying to please him. “Gage, now that the goods have been verified, about my fifty million…” Gage stared at my birthmark, waving his right hand. “Cleared. Now get lost.” “Okay, okay, I’m going right now!” Ashley nodded vigorously, turning to run. But my bead was still with her! I quickly jumped off the sofa, reaching out to grab her clothes. “Ashley, you can’t leave…” “Don’t let her run!” Gage barked, and the nearest subordinate kicked me in the stomach. I couldn’t dodge in time and fell backward, my head hitting the corner of a table. Gage exploded in anger. “You looking for trouble? How many times have I said not to touch her before confirmation!” The spot where Ashley had hit me still throbbed, and now something was oozing out. I leaned against the table, raising a hand to touch it. My hand came away covered in blood. My vision slowly blurred. I felt my consciousness slipping away, my limbs starting to disobey me. Can’t faint… I haven’t seen Dad yet… “Damn it, Gage, she’s bleeding!” Someone shouted, pointing at me in a panic. Gage’s brows furrowed. “You two, go find a doctor. You two, go find the boss. Tell him this birthmark looks very similar and have him come take a look.” “The rest of you, be careful. If she really is the woman the boss wants, if you upset her now, and she complains to the boss later, we’ll all be in deep trouble!” Several subordinates scattered, running into Ashley who was standing by the door. She looked stunned. After a while, she asked, trembling. “Gage… doesn’t the boss just want a mistress? Is a mistress that important?” Gage’s harsh gaze swept over her. “Of course. Otherwise, why would the boss be so generous? Anyone who brings her in gets their debt cleared?” “But not just anyone can clear their debt this way.” “Before, people brought women with crescent moon birthmarks, but they didn’t know exactly where the boss wanted the birthmark to be. They just tattooed one on randomly and brought them over.” “And they were all… dealt with by the boss.” Ashley shivered, hearing Gage’s final words. “You’re lucky, though. This woman’s crescent moon is exactly where the boss wants it, not an inch off.” “Just wait. If she really is the woman the boss wants, not only will your fifty million be waived, but your best friend will also treat you to the high life, and you’ll enjoy every luxury together.” Ashley’s eyes darted around, her expression changing. I had a bad feeling, and with my remaining consciousness, I opened my mouth. “I, I am…” “Gage, I’m sorry!” Ashley suddenly lunged at me, her sharp nails digging into my thigh. “Her birthmark is fake!” “I can’t lie to the boss. I’ll pay back the fifty million, I’m not clearing my debt this way!”
Gage immediately roared in anger. “Ashley, you’ve got a death wish!” “No! She forced me to come here!” The gun was aimed at her, and she dropped to her knees with a thud. “She found out where the birthmark should be from somewhere, went to a tattoo parlor, and forced me to bring her here.” “She said she wanted to hook up with the boss and live a life of luxury!” “It’s true, she threatened me! If I didn’t bring her, she’d kill my parents!” Ashley pleaded incessantly, tears streaming down her face. I gasped for air beside her, shaking my head vigorously. “I didn’t… I am…” “Maya, stop lying! You can fool him for a while, but not forever. If the boss finds out your birthmark is fake, you’ll die an even worse death!” Gage looked down at me, his sharp eyes scrutinizing my exposed crescent moon birthmark, as if trying to discern which of us was telling the truth. But he didn’t seem to know that my father was looking for his daughter, not a mistress. If he had looked at my face more closely, he might have noticed the resemblance between Dad and me… Suddenly, shouts came from outside. “Gage, those guys are causing trouble in the main hall again!” Gage grabbed his gun and headed out. “You guys, guard the door. Don’t let either of them leave. I’ll be right back.” The private room door closed, leaving only Ashley and me. Ashley lowered her voice. “I can’t believe the casino owner’s obsession is so intense. If the birthmark matches, you get to be the boss’s lady!” I struggled to stay conscious, but my body kept sliding down. The blood from the back of my head was increasing, and I probably couldn’t last much longer. “What… what do you want…?” A wild look flashed across her face, her chest heaving as she spoke. “I was wrong. I thought he just wanted a mistress to sleep with… No, I can’t let you become the boss’s lady.” “Otherwise, you’d never let me off the hook… just like I won’t let you off!” I gasped, shaking my head. “We’re best friends. If you let me go, I’ll let bygones be bygones.” “Impossible. You must hate my guts!” “Really… Think about it, without me, how will you pay back that fifty million? They’ll sell you to human traffickers, and that’s worse than death!” Ashley froze for a moment, then looked down, her eyes darting around rapidly. Seeing a glimmer of hope, I continued. “Let me go, I swear I won’t say anything. I’ll make sure you live the high life, and that fifty million… I’ll pay it for you.” Her expression finally shifted. She licked her dry lips. I secretly sighed in relief. But before I could exhale completely, she suddenly clenched her fist. “No, you’re so stubborn, you never gave up searching for your biological parents for over ten years. How could you let me off the hook?” “I can figure out another way for the fifty million, but you can’t be left alive!” With that, she found a small knife, and its tip plunged directly into my crescent moon birthmark! “Ah—” I shrieked in agony, only for her to clap a hand over my mouth. She traced a line along the crescent moon, then pulled out a small bottle of clear liquid, forcing it down my throat. A bitter taste seared my throat, and I immediately felt something was terribly wrong. “Don’t be scared. This anesthetic takes effect in twenty minutes. After that, you’ll pass out. No matter what happens, you won’t feel a thing.” She tossed the empty bottle and knife under the table, whispering frantically in my ear. “I’m sorry, Maya. If only one of us can survive, it has to be me!”
The anesthetic spread through my body. I felt all my strength drain away, and I slid to the floor, feeling as if I could pass out any second. Just then, Gage returned. Seeing the scene, his brows furrowed as he looked at Ashley. “What happened?” Ashley, tears streaming down her face, pointed at me. “Gage, she was afraid of the pain when she got the tattoo, and she ran off before the last part was colored in.” “Now the wound has reopened… she’s in too much pain, saying she’s dizzy…” Gage’s eyes dropped, and he saw a thin line, indeed bleeding, at the top of my crescent moon. “It really is fake…” “Go tell the boss not to waste his time coming over. This one’s fake too.” A shadow fell over me, and a cold touch pressed against my stomach. “You almost got me killed with your trick.” “You like crescent moons, don’t you? Then I’ll cut this piece of skin off and sew it onto your face!” What… The knife tip pierced deeper into the wound. My dying consciousness was jolted, and I struggled, trying to scream. “No—I’m the person the boss is looking for!” “He’s not looking for a mistress, he’s looking for his daughter! I’m his daughter!” A moment of dead silence fell over the private room. Gage gave a cold laugh. “No wonder you dared to get a tattoo and send yourself to your death, you’ve got guts. You’d say anything.” “Our boss doesn’t even have a wife. How dare you impersonate his daughter?” The knife tip deepened by another inch, and the anesthetic took full effect. I couldn’t feel the pain, but I couldn’t speak either. Through the haze, someone nearby reminded Gage. “Gage, this is the boss’s favorite carpet…” The knife was immediately pulled out. Gage stood up. “Take her away. Get someone to clean the carpet.” “Gage, should we just sell her to human traffickers?” My heart tightened. I watched him wipe the knife with a handkerchief, his eyes venomous. “Take her to the VIP section. Let the guests have their fun with her, then sell her when they’re tired.” “What about that woman…?” Ashley immediately fell to her knees, wringing her hands and begging. “Gage, just give me five more days! I promise I’ll pay back the fifty million. If I don’t, you can do whatever you want with me!” Gage frowned in thought for a moment, then held up three fingers. “Three days.” “Okay, three days it is! I’ll go raise the money right now!” I was lifted up, tried to struggle, but had no strength. I could only watch Ashley rush out of the room like a madwoman, without a single glance back. Two minutes later, I was thrown into the noisy VIP section. Countless men and women gathered around. Someone shouted. “Hey, isn’t that the crescent moon birthmark Mr. Thorne likes so much?” Everyone laughed. “Another one trying to gamble with Mr. Thorne.” “Normal, if you actually win that bet, you become the owner’s wife, living the ultimate high life.” “Too bad, this young girl lost her bet. Looks like she’ll have to find another country to live in.” Some pulled at my T-shirt, some grabbed my ankles, others, disgusted by my blood-soaked state, walked away, pinching their noses. I was like a discarded rag, unable to move or struggle. I could only stare up at the gilded ceiling, a deep sense of injustice churning inside me. I was just one step away from reuniting with Dad… Suddenly, the entire hall fell silent. A steady set of footsteps approached. “Boss, Gage said this one definitely isn’t it, so he told us to just toss her here.” “Hmm, you handle it.” It was Dad’s voice, just as I remembered! The footsteps turned, moving in the opposite direction. I panicked. I didn’t know where the strength came from, but I croaked out a desperate cry. “I’m Lark!” The footsteps abruptly stopped. That gaze, intense and piercing, turned directly towards me.
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