The Enigmatic Return (Neera and Jean) novel Chapter 1439

However, in the next moment, Neera felt a sharp pain at the back of her neck and immediately lost consciousness.

In the fleeting moments before the darkness consumed her, she caught sight of Zephyr's eyes.

Those eyes, brimming with intense regret and resentment, seemed to plead with her to resist being taken away, reflecting a profound self-loathing for not fulfilling his promise, for failing to protect her.

When Neera regained consciousness, it was the biting cold that jolted her awake.

Confused and disoriented, she couldn't discern her surroundings until she realized she was in a bathtub.

The chilling revelation hit her as she discovered the tub filled with ice cubes and water, submerging her chest, with only her head exposed.

Bound hand and foot, Neera was left in this chilling predicament.

The duration of her immersion in the icy water remained unknown, and her body temperature had plummeted frighteningly low, causing uncontrollable shivers.

The unbearable cold surrounded her, her teeth chattering, and her lips taking on a frightening shade of purple. It felt as though she was on the brink of freezing to death.

Attempts to move her hands and feet were futile; the ropes were tied too tightly, rendering her unable to break free.

Neera forced herself to calm down, struggling to piece together the events leading to her loss of consciousness.

As she closed her eyes, the image of Zephyr's eyes and the horrifying scene of Howard thrusting toward him resurfaced in her mind. The pain that gripped her heart was akin to being stabbed.

How is Zephyr? Is he... dead? What about Aunt Adriana? Is she still lying there, or has someone taken her away? Perhaps something else had happened?

These haunting questions swirled incessantly, consuming her attention and preventing her from focusing on her surroundings.

A full minute passed before the biting cold forced her to pull her thoughts back to the harsh reality.

Neera swallowed hard, her throat aching intensely, as she tried her best to control her trembling. Surveying her surroundings, she recognized that she was in an old, abandoned warehouse, and the bathtub she occupied seemed equally neglected.

A vivid memory lingered: before losing consciousness, Phoebe had mentioned wanting Howard to hand her over.

So, it was Phoebe who brought me here, right? But there's no one here. Where has she gone?

As she contemplated, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from behind her, growing louder with each step.

The distinct click of high heels resonated in the air.

A jolt ran through Neera's body, her heart pounding in her chest. She instantly grasped that the approaching person was none other than Phoebe.

However, her body was so cold that any movement proved difficult. Restrained in the bathtub, she couldn't even shift her neck significantly.

The sound of footsteps gradually drew closer, coming to a halt right behind her.

Just as Neera anticipated Phoebe was about to speak, a sudden hand seized her head, forcefully submerging it into the water.

Immediately, Neera's mouth and nose were engulfed in icy water, and her eyes, drenched in the freezing liquid, refused to open.

Startled, she instinctively held her breath, struggling with all her might.

However, the hand above her applied relentless pressure, and the bone-chilling coldness sliced across her face like a knife.

Despite her desperate struggles, Phoebe tightened her grip.

Just when Neera felt on the verge of suffocation, Phoebe abruptly yanked her hair, pulling her out of the water.

Fresh air rushed into her nostrils, mingling with the lingering cold water, inducing a fit of incessant coughing.

Yet, the ordeal was far from over.

Before Neera could catch more than a couple of breaths, Phoebe, with a sudden force, pushed her back into the water.

This tormenting cycle repeated several times until Phoebe eventually released her hand. Leisurely moving in front of Neera, Phoebe wiped her hands with a handkerchief, calmly admiring the woman's disheveled appearance at that moment.

“How's it going? Having fun?”

Witnessing Neera's wretched state, Phoebe couldn't contain an indescribable joy, her words resonating with a triumphant smile.

Neera coughed relentlessly, her lungs feeling as though they were on the verge of exploding. The burning sensation extended from her lungs to her throat, inflicting unbearable pain.

Her entire body was set in motion by the coughing, including her abdomen, still throbbing from the earlier kick delivered by Howard, as if her internal organs were convulsing in unison.

After what felt like an eternity, the fit of coughing finally subsided, but her breathing remained rapid.

A chilling coldness enveloped her entire being, her face numb as if frozen by icy water. Lips constantly trembling, teeth chattering ceaselessly, Neera found herself unable to articulate a single word.

Phoebe took satisfaction in the spectacle, maintaining her leisurely and unhurried smile.

“Lost your tongue? Can't find your words? Weren't you always quick-witted? How come you're silent now? What an unusual sight, don't you agree?” Phoebe taunted, her words dripping with mockery.

Neera took several deep breaths, barely managing to calm herself down. She strained to lift her eyelashes, feeling frost already formed on them, and coldly looked toward Phoebe. “I'm already at your mercy; what else do you want me to say?”

Phoebe let out an exaggerated scoff, shaking her head and clapping her hands as she laughed, her expression incredibly animated. “Oh my, who would have thought? The head of the Gordon family, the universally praised Ms. Garcia, even you have moments of speechlessness, huh? Neera, did you ever imagine you would fall into my hands? Did you ever think you would end up like an outcast? Did you ever foresee yourself in such a sorry state?”

Faced with Phoebe's string of mocking questions, Neera remained indifferent. “Regardless, this is the situation now. I'm powerless to change anything. Ultimately, the winner rules, while the loser is ruled. Do as you please. I know you hate me. Vent your anger in whatever way you wish.”

Phoebe didn't expect Neera to maintain such an attitude and was somewhat surprised. “Aren't you always competitive? How come you have no fighting spirit now? Seeing you like this, I actually find it boring.”

As her words landed, she abruptly seized Neera's chin, holding it with such force that it felt on the verge of shattering. Twisting the woman's face, she compelled Neera to look at herself.

“Neera, it's not entertaining to see you like this. Have you truly resigned, convinced that you're ensnared in my grasp, with no escape and a predetermined fate? Or do you entertain other notions, thinking that by remaining silent, I'm rendered powerless, that you can prolong the situation, naively hoping for a rescue? Let me make it clear, don't even entertain that thought.”

Suddenly, Phoebe released her grip, withdrawing her hand with an expression of distaste.

She meticulously wiped her manicured fingers, then casually discarded the handkerchief onto the ground. Pulling a chair from behind, she nonchalantly seated herself in front of Neera.