Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 94

Caught off guard, the two women let out yelps of shock as Summer's kicks sent them sprawling to the floor.

Seeing this, Elise stepped forward with chilling speed, raised her arm, and delivered a vicious, ringing slap across Summer's face.

A deafening crack echoed through the room.

Summer's cheek swelled instantly into an angry, bruised red. The corner of her mouth split open, blood pooling on her lips as a high-pitched ringing consumed her ears.

"Behave yourself," Elise hissed, before barking at the two women on the floor. "Strap her down. Teach her the meaning of obedience and consequences."

No matter how violently Summer fought, she was ultimately reduced to a lamb on the slaughter block, her arms and legs locked into the unyielding restraints.

"Initiate!"

A suffocating scream tore from Summer's throat.

An agonizing surge of electricity ripped through her veins. Summer screamed in pure torment, her fists clenching so hard her knuckles turned white. Thick veins bulged against her forehead and arms.

Within seconds, cold sweat poured from her like rain. Her face drained of all color, her teeth chattering violently as her entire body seized and convulsed against the restraints.

"Increase the voltage!" Elise commanded with sociopathic calm.

Another shrill, blood-curdling scream pierced the air.

A blinding spike of agony slammed into Summer's brain. It felt as if her skin was melting and her bones were fracturing under the current. Her body thrashed in violent spasms until her vision whited out, her consciousness finally giving way to the dark.

Summer passed out.

Elise scoffed. "These wealthy housewives are so fragile. Out cold after just one round. Wake her up. The client made it perfectly clear she needs to learn her lesson thoroughly."

***

Two days later.

When Summer woke up again, her mind was a sluggish blur. She stared blankly at the pristine white ceiling, her eyes hollow and dazed.

It took a long time before her gaze shifted, taking in her new surroundings.

And then, she saw Leo asleep at her bedside.

The little boy was dead to the world, his handsome brows knitted tightly together in distress, clearly trapped in a miserable nightmare.

She wanted to lift her hand to smooth out the crease between his brows, but the moment she twitched, she realized Leo was gripping her fingers tightly.

The police had no choice but to take a homicide accusation seriously. They marched right into Sterling Group to confront him.

Backed into a corner, Xavier had been forced to surrender her location.

When they finally found Summer in that dark, damp basement, she had been running a dangerously high fever. Her face was swollen, and her body was battered beyond recognition.

Just then, the ward door swung open. Xavier stepped inside, dressed in a sharp suit and carrying a vibrant bouquet of red roses.

The hospital had notified him the moment she woke up, and he had rushed straight over.

Jude shot him a venomous glare. "You're not welcome here. Get the hell out!"

Xavier paused. His cold, dark eyes fixed onto Jude without a shred of emotion. "I am her legally recognized family. If you bark one more word, I'll have my security throw you out the window."

"Don't you dare," Summer choked out, the syllables burning her throat like acid.

Xavier turned back to the bed. Seeing Summer looking so frail and broken, a wave of guilt washed over his features. He softened his voice entirely. "Summer, I'm so sorry."

He walked over to the bed, clutching the flowers like a lifeline. "My mother recommended that school. She told me it was a strict etiquette program. I didn't do a background check. I swear I had no idea it was a front for a psychiatric hospital."

"But you can't blame her entirely, either. She only went off someone else's recommendation. She didn't know the truth. You don't have to worry anymore—the place was raided, and every staff member was arrested. No one will ever hurt you like that again."