Chapter 2
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In an instant, Shakira felt a strong, choking grip on her neck. The man's hand was so tight it felt like he might snap her like a
twig.
"Looking for trouble?" the man warned. His cold voice combined with the pressure made Shakira snap back to reality.
Summoning her remaining strength, she pushed down on his wrist with one hand while her other hand quickly. maneuvered to apply pressure to a sensitive spot on the back of his neck. Instantly, his grip loosened, and the unsuspecting man fell unconscious. Once freed, Shakira collapsed onto his body, gasping for air. But as the oxygen rushed back into her lungs, a wave of heat flooded through her. Overwhelmed, she gritted her teeth and ripped off his expensive tailored pants. Time slipped by in a blur. Finally, drenched in sweat, Shakira slipped into her clothes hanging from the wheelchair, and her mind began to focus. The Nelson and Smith families had ensured that Yvette could hold her head high during the grand party tonight. All their guests came from wealthy backgrounds, with only one disabled visitor-Shakira's former fiancé, Walter Lopez. five families held power, with the Lopez family at the top and the Nelsons at the bottom. Their patriarchs were such close friends they had arranged a marriage between their grandchildren even before they were born. Walter was known for being wild and reckless, getting into trouble all the time when he was young. Rumor had it that with the Lopez family's backing, he'd rule the city one day.
In this
city
But then he disappeared without a trace, becoming a mystery for years. When he finally returned home six months ago, he was confined to a wheelchair, unable to walk.
Shakira had overheard a
I a conversation about the engagement as she returned to the Nelson family. At that moment, Yvette sighed and said, "If Mr. Walter Lopez had come back sooner, maybe I could have married him, and Shakira would have stuck around to spend more and Dad... Her words hit hard. Shakira watched as her mother, Rebecca, scolded Mitchell with a frown. "You can't marry that... What kind of life would that be?"
time with
Rebecca's lips shaped the words "Good for nothing," but out of decency, she held back. Still, the disdain on her face was hard to hide.
Yvette glanced at Shakira, hesitant to say what was on her mind. "But Shakira..."
Rebecca continued, her brow furrowed. "She just got back. She doesn't even know our ways. We'll talk about the engagement later."
At that moment, Shakira believed Rebecca would sort everything out for her. But now, after stepping away from her family ties, she realized that to Rebecca, Yvette couldn't marry a disabled man, but Shakira had to wait until "later."
If she hadn't had that accident tonight in her previous life, marrying Walter would have been a sure thing. So, Shakira figured, in her moment of desperation just now, using her fiance for her own survival didn't seem so wrong after all. After resting for a bit, the tingling in her legs eased. Shakira had planned to slip away quietly but paused, deciding to give her fiancé some dignity.
Caught in the moonlight, she finally took in Walter's striking features-truly a work of art. Even in this disheveled state, sitting in a wheelchair and unconscious, he radiated an aura of undeniable strength.
"What a gem... What a pity," she murmured, bending down to drape the torn remains of his pants over him. Gently, she began to button his shirt.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
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As she did, she noticed a Jesus pendant peeking out from his shirt. After a moment of thought, she pushed it aside and revealed a bold tattoo etched across his sun-kissed chest-Satan. The fierce look of the tattoo contrasted starkly with the peaceful beauty of the Jesus pendant. Shakira studied the tattoo for a moment, then finished buttoning his shirt before leaving the room quietly.
Not long after she stepped out, Walter stirred awake. The thick, sticky air around him, the disarray of his clothing, and the ache in his legs all told the story of what had just happened in the room.
He sat silently, his face unreadable as he pressed a button on his wheelchair, and moments later, a man in a black suit, walked in.
When Brian Shaw, one of the world's top bodyguards, saw the scene, he was completely stunned for a full five seconds.
"Mr. Lopez, you were..." he blurted out, but the harsh word "mistreated" caught in his throat as Walter's icy gaze zeroed in on him.
After a moment of silence, Walter ordered, his voice icy, "Find out who did this and send her to hell."
Mr. Lopez!"
Shakira returned to the guest room, pausing at the door. Memories she desperately wanted to forget flooded back- scattered clothes, furious accusations from family members, and the cruel laughter of strangers...
She shut her eyes briefly before pushing the door open. Inside, three men lay sprawled on the bed, completely unconscious -just as disgusting as it had been in her past life.
How deep must the hatred be for the person behind all this to wish me such ruin?' Shakira smirked silently.
Just then, a panicked scream from behind her. "Shakira, how could you do this?"
Shakira turned around casually and saw a crowd burst into the room. She took in their expressions-shock, disgust, confusion-before settling her gaze on Yvette, who was hiding behind Rebecca.
Yvette looked innocent, and that only made Shakira seem even more filthy and corrupted at that moment, especially after her affair had just been discovered, yet she remained so calm. Shakira couldn't help but chuckle bitterly. I'd truly been so blind in my previous life, unable to see through this pretentious
wretch.
Yosef was the first to regain his composure. With a serious look on his face, he turned to the staff outside and ordered, "Seal off this floor."
Mitchell chimed in, pointing an accusing finger at Shakira. "Shakira, have you no shame?"
Rebecca stormed forward, her anger palpable as she raised her hand to strike Shakira's face. Shakira stood her ground and grabbed Rebecca's wrist mid-air.
Rebecca was caught off guard. Anger surged through her, breaking the composed facade she usually maintained as the lady of the house. "You wretched child! I should've known you'd be jealous of Yvette and try to ruin her birthday party. But I never imagined you'd stoop so low as to embarrass our family like this!" Jealous? What exactly does Yvette have that is worth my envy?' Shakira couldn't help but scoff. Fueled by her thoughts, Shakira clenched her fist and pushed Rebecca back. With her balance disrupted, Rebecca stumbled several steps back. If Yvette hadn't caught her, she would have fallen and humiliated herself.
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Yvette shook her head, her face filled with disappointment. "Mom only cares about you, Shakira. How could you push her?"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she bit her lips and said, "I know you've always hated me. If leaving makes everyone happier, I promise I won't ever show up in front of you, Dad, Mom, and..."