The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus) novel Chapter 377

Ivan lunged forward and wrapped his hands around Ruby's neck. "I cherished and raised you for over 20 years, only to find out she is not even my own blood. My real daughter was bullied for years by a bastard child like you and that bitch Julia.

"I was nothing but a fool, a blind and heartless beast. Now that Julia has taken my money and run, what makes you think I will let you go?"

"Ugh…"

Ruby gasped as his grip tightened around her throat. She reached up, desperately trying to pry his hands away, but the difference in strength between them was too great. The more she struggled, the harder he squeezed.

Her breathing became labored, and soon, her eyes rolled back as she began to lose consciousness.

The sudden ringing of a phone shattered the tense silence. The sound jolted Ivan back to his senses. He abruptly let go of Ruby's throat, his eyes flickering with unease as he glanced at the caller ID.

It was Zane, the second son of the Holt family and Ruby's former boyfriend. He had just called not too long ago. Steadying his breath, Ivan swiped his finger across the screen and answered the call.

"Hello."

"Mr. Sinclair, is Ruby there? Can you let her take the call?"

Zane's voice came through the receiver. Ivan narrowed his eyes. "Alright, wait a moment."

He handed the phone to Ruby. "It's Zane."

Ruby coughed violently several times before taking the phone. The moment it was in her hands, she shouted into the receiver, "Zane, help me! My father is holding me captive!"

Ivan backhanded her across the face, sending her tumbling to the floor. The phone slipped from her grasp and hit the floor.

"Zane, save me please!" she cried out.

Ivan struck her again, his voice filled with fury. "You wretched thing. I've been too lenient with you."

"Hello? Ruby, what is going on? Are you alright?"

Zane's voice crackled through the phone's speaker. Ivan bent down, picked up the phone, and ended the call.

"Ruby, you ungrateful little rat. You dared to lie to me. A bastard is a bastard, and a traitor never changes. There's no saving you." Gritting his teeth, he cursed, "Since that is the case, I won't be nice to you anymore."

With that, he slapped her twice more, leaving her head spinning and her vision filled with stars.

Before she could even try to resist, Ivan tore at her clothes and snapped several photos with his phone. Once he was done, he took a rope and tied her to the bedpost.

"My dear daughter, don't blame me. If you want to blame someone, blame that whore of a mother you have," Ivan said, patting her cheek before using her phone to call Julia.

If Julia dared to steal his money and run, then she shouldn't blame him for using Ruby to force her back.

The call barely had time to ring before it was answered.

"Hello? Ruby? Why was your phone unreachable?"

Julia's anxious voice came through. "I'm almost at our hometown. Just drive over yourself, and I will pick you up when you arrive."

Ivan spat out viciously, "Julia, you whore! You filthy bitch! You dare to steal my money and run? I will show you exactly what will happen to your daughter."