Take Me Away novel Chapter 121

That afternoon, Fiona secretly sent Spencer multiple text messages to inform him that Celine didn't seem to be in Cherry Grove Residence.

To this, Spencer replied that she should stop worrying about Celine and focus instead on finding her way out. "Be ready. I’ll be there by the wee hours on the day after tomorrow. We have to be quick and careful. I’ll get you out of there safely, I promise," he typed.

The two then talked more about the details of the rescue plan. The conversation gave Fiona so much hope.

Later that night, Charles came back to the mansion and asked for Fiona. As soon as he saw her walking down the stairs, his eyes narrowed and his expression betrayed a mix of emotions.

"I heard you went to the small building today," Charles said with his hands in his pockets. "What did you do there? Did someone bully you?"

Fiona’s eyebrows furrowed before she eventually shook her head in confusion. "What are you talking about? I just dropped by to chat with Leona."

Looking into her eyes, he ordered with authority, "Come here."

Fiona hesitated for a bit, but did as she was told. He had been acting so strange. As soon as she walked up to him, he grabbed her by the hand and pulled her into his arms. He held her so close, she could feel his breath against her cheeks. His masculine scent overwhelmed her senses.

Charles chuckled bitterly all of a sudden. It was then that Fiona noticed the faint smell of alcohol in his breath. He raised her head until her gaze met his and said, "Let me show you something interesting."

Fiona was initially confused, but after seeing an evil glint in Charles' eyes, she trembled with fright.

"Let's go." Before she could protest, Charles had dragged her by the hand into the yard. "I heard that a woman provoked you when you went here earlier."

"What?" Charles' meaning was lost on Fiona. She tried to recall what had happened earlier that day, until she finally remembered the woman Emily called "Miss Feng." Was he referring to her?

"Please, Charles... I don't want to be here!"

Just then, Fiona heard the shrill cry of a woman. A shiver ran down her spine despite the weather being warm. "Where are we going?" she asked.

"Don't look away, Fiona! You're going to miss something fun! Look!" A cruel smile played on Charles' lips. Turning to Fiona, he pointed to a brightly-lit spot in front of them. "Do you know what T Country is famous for?"

Fiona shook her head, trying to avoid his gaze at all cost. But when she finally looked up, she saw a trembling woman surrounded by a dozen bodyguards. She looked scared out of her wits.

"Snakes, Fiona. T Country is known for its snakes," Charles whispered into her ear, emphasizing every word. "There are many species of snakes in this area, and most of them are highly venomous. Tonight, we're going to watch as these snakes torture this woman to death."

"Charles, don't. Please, I don't want to see..." Fiona retched before she could finish her words. Her fear and panic were so great that she couldn't help but vomit. By instinct, she covered her face with her hands, but Charles gripped her arm and dragged her nearer to the scene for a better view.

"Sir! Sir!" Miss Feng rushed to Charles as soon as she saw him approaching. With tears in her eyes, she begged, "Please don't push me into the snake pit. I was wrong. I'm sorry. I said something that I shouldn't have. It won't happen again! Please, sir! I've been with you for a long time. Please spare me!"

"Fuck off!" Charles kicked the woman onto the ground before ordering his men, "Throw her in!"

"Yes, sir!"

Fiona froze on the spot. She watched in horror as the guards dragged the hysterical woman. When she tried to look away, she unintentionally caught sight of the snake pit. It was a small glass cage swarming with snakes of all lengths and colors. They were crawling all over the place and were collectively making a loud hissing sound.

"Oh my God!" Fiona felt paralyzed by fear. Cold beads of sweat started trickling down her forehead.

"What a wonderful view! Don't you agree?" Charles grabbed her by the hair and forced her to look at the pit. "This is what happens to disobedient women," he threatened when she struggled.

Fiona could only watch horrified, as the men pushed Miss Feng in the cage after Charles gave them the signal.

"No!"

The woman's loud shriek pierced through the silence of the night and echoed in Fiona's head. Her mind had gone completely blank. Seeing the snakes bare their fangs and attack their prey, she felt too powerless to even react.

"Please! Help me!"

The woman kept screaming even as the snakes swarmed all over her body. In a matter of seconds, the reptiles had completely coiled around her. When she opened her mouth to shout, a small snake even slipped into her mouth.

Fiona bent over and threw up once again. As she did, she kept her eyes lowered, intent on not looking at the snakes and their poor victim.

Inside the cage, the snakes had bitten Miss Feng beyond recognition. Her body was lacerated all over and her face had swollen twice its size. After twitching a couple of times, she drew her final breath.

"How boring! She died so soon." Charles stared at the dead woman without batting an eye. "I've always thought you were arrogant. But look at you now."

Hearing Charles' words, Fiona's face lost all color. She had already thrown up everything she had eaten, but her body still retched uncontrollably.

"This is why you must listen to me, Fiona." He took a white handkerchief from his pocket and gently dabbed her face clean. "I don't want to have to do that to you."

Fiona's eyes widened. She shoved Charles away and screamed, "You devil! You're crazy!"