After resting for a few days, Clara returned to the police department.

She had once made a vow before her parents' graves to purge evil and pursue justice. Her emotional setbacks would not stop her from continuing her work.

Hardly had she sat down when the Chief walked in, leading a familiar figure.

"Everyone, put your work aside for a moment! I’d like to introduce Luna, our new criminal profiler."

"Clara, you’ll be responsible for mentoring her."

With a shy smile on her face, Luna walked up to Clara and extended her hand. "Clara, we’re colleagues now. Please look after me!"

Clara pursed her lips, staring at her coldly.

Luna wasn't embarrassed at all. She leaned in closer and lowered her voice. "Surprised? Your husband already belongs to me, and soon, your job will be mine too."

"Once I kick you out of here, let's see how you'll gather evidence against my father."

Ignoring her, Clara looked at the Chief. "I have a personal history with Miss Luna. I cannot mentor her."

"Clara, don't talk nonsense!" The Chief’s expression stiffened as he pulled her out into the hallway. "Mr. Sebastian personally made the request, hoping you would teach her... Stop being so stubborn!"

As expected, it was Sebastian.

To actually place the daughter of a criminal in the police department to replace her—he was truly capable of anything.

Clara closed her eyes to steady her emotions. When she opened them again, they were clear and resolute. "I’m sorry, but I won't accept this. If she stays, I leave."

With that, she turned and walked away without hesitation.

The Chief was stunned.

Clara was the most talented profiler in all of D.C., having solved countless major cases!

Even if they were to replace her, it had to be done gradually. If she walked out now, how was he supposed to explain it to the higher-ups?

"Clara, let’s talk this over..."

The Chief called after her repeatedly, but Clara never looked back.

A fire burned in her chest as she walked faster and faster.

When she finally looked up, she realized she had walked all the way back home.

She gave a bitter smile and pushed the door open.

Suddenly, a vase flew from inside the house and smashed violently against her forehead!

Blood streamed down her cheek, and her vision blurred instantly.

Clara clutched the wound, the agonizing pain leaving her mind and expression completely blank.

A middle-aged man lunged at her, his hands tightening like iron claws around her throat. "You bitch! Was it you who posted online about the fire? I should have burned you to death back then too!"

It was Arthur!

The monster who had destroyed her family!

Clara felt the air being squeezed out of her lungs. Her vision went black, and she could only choke out a few words: "I... I didn't..."

Arthur glared at her viciously and increased the pressure until she was on the verge of suffocation!

Just when she thought she would die right there, Sebastian’s voice rang out: "Enough. A lesson is fine, but don't actually kill her."

Arthur reluctantly let go. Clara collapsed to the floor, coughing violently as tears pricked her eyes.

She looked utterly wretched.

She stared fixedly at Sebastian, who stood behind Arthur, her voice trembling and broken. "Why?"

Why would he bring her mortal enemy here to humiliate her?

Why was he doing this to her!

Sebastian tapped on a social media post and thrust the phone in front of her.

It was an exposé against Arthur. The author claimed to have evidence proving Arthur was the killer behind the arson case that shocked the city seven years ago, accusing him of rape and various other atrocities.

Sebastian’s eyes were filled with disappointment. "I warned you not to speak out of turn. Why must you do this? Are you really not satisfied until you’ve ruined Luna’s life?"

"Is it because I haven't given you enough money?!"

So, he was blaming her for hurting Luna’s father.

Clara’s lips curled into a tragic smile. "Never mind that I didn't write this—what if I did?"

"Is it not the truth? Arthur is a goddamn animal!"

Slap!

Sebastian struck her across the face again.

This man, who had once cherished her above all else, could no longer restrain his rage. "You never learn! It seems I truly have to let you suffer a bit. Arnie, throw her in the basement!"

A bodyguard named Arnie grunted in response and roughly grabbed Clara.

Clara’s pupils shrank.

She knew there was a specialized basement beneath Sebastian’s villa where he kept numerous venomous snakes.

"Sebastian, you can't do this to me!"

But Sebastian turned his head away, refusing to give her a single glance.

Clara was practically dragged into the basement.

The heavy door slammed shut, and darkness swallowed everything.

The sound of "hissing" filled the air as cold, slithering bodies began to crawl up her thighs.

No... No, no, no—

Clara wanted to scream, wanted to struggle, but her body was so rigid she couldn't move a muscle.

This symptom was all too familiar—it was the physical paralysis that came with her severe depression.

"Sebastian, save me... I’m going to die..."

Tears fell uncontrollably. Using every ounce of strength she possessed, Clara managed to pull out her phone and dial Sebastian’s number.

But it was Luna’s voice that answered.

"Clara? Are you looking for Sebastian?"

"He’s in the shower right now. If it’s nothing important, please don't bother him."

Beep.

The call was heartlessly disconnected.

Clara felt as if she had been dropped into an abyss of ice!

At that moment, the basement door was kicked open.

A drunken Arthur walked in, a lecherous grin on his face. "Bitch, look who’s in my hands now! Your sister tasted so good... I bet you aren't half bad either."

"Hehe, don't be afraid. Uncle is going to take real good care of you!"

Sebastian had actually given the key to this basement to this beast!

Disgusting!

So disgusting!

She could not let him touch her!

As Arthur stumbled closer, reaching out with his greasy palms, Clara felt like vomiting.

Without a second thought, she slammed her head against the stone wall with all her might.

Sharp, blinding pain exploded, but she didn't stop. She struck the wall again and again.

Soon, her skin was torn open and blood gushed out!

Even Arthur was terrified by the sight and froze in his tracks.

As the blood loss increased, Clara’s consciousness began to fade.

Before she blacked out, she thought she saw Sebastian rushing in, pulling her tightly into his arms.

"Clara! What are you doing! I forbid you to die! Do you hear me?!"