Chapter 2 Paradise Lounge

• "Sir, are you really able to help me find my mommy? I haven't seen her in three days."
• As Hope spoke, her eyes filled with tears.
• Brayden felt a surge of frustration rising within him.
• What on earth was Abigail doing? How could she be such a careless mother?
• The middle-aged woman had mentioned that Abigail had gone to Paradise Lounge with another man. Brayden made up his mind to check it out himself.
• If she truly was behaving shamefully, he would take Hope away with him.
• ...
• Paradise Lounge.
• The grandest and most opulent entertainment venue in Baythorn.
• This was a paradise for men, where the wealthy wasted their money.
• "Stop right there!"
• A security guard with red hair, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and tattoos on his exposed shoulders, blocked Brayden's way.
• He scrutinized Brayden from head to toe with a dismissive look. "Where did this lowlife come from? This place is not for someone like you. Go away!"
• Brayden shouted, "Get out of the way!"
• His face was stern.
• "Did this nobody just challenge the captain?"
• "Didn't you hear him tell you to leave?"
• "If you don't go, I swear I'll take you down!"
• A group of security guards quickly closed in on him, with one of them lifting his foot to kick Brayden.
• Suddenly, there was a loud bang.
• One of the security guards was thrown across the room, but Brayden stayed unharmed, calmly holding Hope in his arms.
• "Hey, are you here to stir up trouble? Call for backup, everyone!"
• The tattooed guard pulled out his walkie-talkie and began summoning reinforcements.
• Soon, hundreds of security guards poured out of the club.
• "Think you can make a scene here? Do you have a death wish?" The tattooed guard looked pleased with himself.
• Brayden didn't waste any time on words. He pulled out his phone and made a call.
• "Tiger, Reaper Squad, move out!"
• Broom!
• As Brayden's command echoed, a loud roar followed.
• From afar, five armored cars raced toward them, each packed with strong soldiers.
• The soldiers swiftly got out and formed a line behind Brayden.
• Clack, clack, clack!
• The many black gun barrels, glinting menacingly, were pointed at the security guards.
• "Everyone, get on your knees!" Tiger shouted.
• Thud!
• Thud!
• Thud!
• Without a moment's hesitation, all the security guards dropped to their knees, quaking with fear.
• The tattooed guard was the most pitiful of all, terrified to the point of soiling himself.
• Just who had he offended?
• "Captain, I'm sorry for being late!"
• Tiger approached Brayden and spoke with deep respect.
• Brayden nodded and said, "You all stay here and make sure no one gets in!"
• "Understood!"
• With Tiger's commanding shout, thousands of soldiers swiftly imposed a lockdown on Paradise Lounge.
• "Sir, what's happening? Are we shooting a film or something?"
• Seeing the large number of armed soldiers, Hope asked with curiosity.
• Brayden looked down at her with a tender smile and replied, "Yes, Hope. I am bringing you in to find your mom."
• With that, he led Hope inside.
• Behind him, Tiger watched in astonishment.
• This little girl was Captain's daughter!
• From now on, she would be one of the most revered women in the country!
• And just moments ago, the usually stern Captain had actually smiled.
• At that very moment, in a private room at Paradise Lounge.
• Abigail, a slender woman with refined features, was having a meal with a stout middle-aged man.
• A middle-aged man, adorned with a tattoo of a fierce tiger, clearly looked like someone deeply entrenched in the underworld.
• The man, Oscar Stoll, was a well-known gangster involved in the shady side of Baythorn.
• Abigail gazed at Oscar with a desperate plea. "Mr. Stoll, I need 100 thousand dollars. My daughter is ill and requires surgery."
• Hope was born with a congenital heart defect and needed the surgery before turning six to avoid serious risk.
• Now, she was already five years old.
• There could be no more postponing.
• Over the past three days, Abigail had asked everyone she could think of for help, but no one was willing to assist.
• With no other options, she was forced to turn to Oscar.
• Oscar is a notorious gangster in Baythorn, known for his loan sharking.
• He sneered, "You want me to lend you 100 thousand dollars? How do you plan to repay me?"
• Abigail quickly responded, "Mr. Stoll, don't worry. As long as my daughter recovers, I will certainly earn the money to repay you."
• "Hahaha!"
• Oscar burst into laughter, looking Abigail over, and teasingly said, "I'm happy to lend you the money without expecting repayment, but there's one condition—you have to be my woman."
• Upon hearing his proposition, Abigail's expression hardened. "Mr. Stoll, I am already married!"
• Oscar chuckled and replied, "Everyone knows your husband is worthless! If you stay with me, you'll have everything you want. I guarantee you'll have a good life. What do you think?"
• As he spoke, his hand moved towards Abigail's fair thigh.
• Abigail's expression shifted, and she quickly got to her feet.
• "Mr. Stoll, please be respectful!
• Noticing her rejection, Oscar's eyes grew cold.
• He sneered, "Abigail, don't think you can refuse my offer and escape the consequences! Do you still see yourself as the esteemed daughter of the Marleys? You're nothing but a withered flower now—an unwanted, discarded wife!
• "I'm ready to support you, and it's an honor for you. How dare you turn me down? Do you think I can't make sure you stay in this private room all night?"
• His threats caused Abigail to go pale with fear.
• She felt utterly helpless.
• Five years ago, she had been the proud and beautiful daughter of the Marleys, the most stunning woman in Baythorn.
• However, to bring good fortune to her grandfather, she had been compelled to marry a drifter.
• The day after their wedding, the drifter vanished, leaving her pregnant and eventually giving birth to a daughter.
• For the past five years, Abigail had endured scorn and mockery from others.
• Today, she was subjected to even more humiliation by Oscar.
• Abigail was really upset.
• Tears flowed down her face as she took a deep breath and declared, "I'm sorry, but I won't be borrowing any money from you. I'm leaving now!"
• With that, she turned to walk away.
• "Are you trying to leave? Did I give you permission?"
• Oscar got up, seized her hand, and sneered, "You're not going anywhere tonight!"
• Abigail's face showed fear. "Let go of me, what do you want from me?"
• Oscar chuckled mischievously, "What do I want? Well, I want you! Tonight, I'm going to make you mine."
• As he finished speaking, he lunged at her, beginning to rip at Abigail's clothes.
• "No! Someone, help me!"
• Desperate and facing Oscar's aggressive advances, Abigail screamed for help.
• Bang!
• At that moment, the door to the private room swung open.
• "Mommy ... "