Chapter 3 The Woman I Have My Eye On

• “Michael, I taught Mabel a lesson not because Whitney is your daughter, but because she is the woman I have my eye on,” Xavier said slowly.
• Mabel dragged her exhausted self back to the Jennings residence.
• Before she could even step through the door, Michael, who had served the family his entire life, came with Xavier's message. Mabel was politely “invited” to leave. Throughout the whole ordeal, she never even caught a glimpse of her biological parents.
• Are they that afraid of Xavier? Mabel smirked slightly, pulling her gaze away. The iron gate that stood before her now clearly separated her from the Jennings family, severing all ties to everything that once belonged to her.
• Mabel couldn't quite describe how she felt. As she turned around, two men in police uniforms blocked her path. “Ms. Jennings, you're under arrest for bribing and inciting others to tarnish Ms. Whitney Schumer's reputation, which led to her untimely death. Please come with us.”
• Before being sent to prison, Mabel saw Xavier. He stood tall by the window, his commanding presence looming.
• “I never harmed Whitney,” Mabel said firmly, shaking her head.
• Xavier's towering figure slowly approached. Mabel told herself not to be afraid. She was innocent and had committed no crime.
• She lifted her delicate face bravely, trying her best to stay composed, but the trembling of her shoulders betrayed her anxiety. Xavier's sharp eyes didn't miss a thing.
• A flicker of surprise crossed his gaze. Is she still trying to maintain her dignity, even now?
• It made sense. This was Mabel after all. The woman had always been bold and full of pride. Even when he rejected her confession, it didn't seem to faze her.
• With lightning speed, Xavier grabbed her by the chin.
• “Ah... it hurts!” His hand gripped her jaw like a vice, squeezing with such force that it seemed he might shatter it. Tears welled up in Mabel's eyes from the pain.
• Xavier showed no mercy, tightening his grip further. “Who would have thought a vicious heart existed under such a pretty face?”
• “I really didn't harm Whitney!” Mabel bit her lip, her face pale from the pain. “You can't just send me to prison without evidence.”
• “Oh, but I can,” Xavier sneered, each word colder than the last. “Now then, Ms. Jennings, enjoy your new life in prison.” He let go of her chin. Turning away, he waved and left without a second glance, his departure as careless as his words.
• He was taking revenge on her. Mabel's face went pale, and she couldn't utter a single word.
• The women's prison was far from peaceful. On Mabel's first night, she was yanked out of bed while asleep.
• “What do you want?” Mabel warily eyed the unfriendly inmates surrounding her. “Don't do anything stupid, or I'll call the corrections officer.”
• The women around her didn't seem intimidated by her words. Instead, they exchanged glances and burst out laughing. The leader, a burly woman, pointed at Mabel's face and sneered, “What did you say? Call the guards? Hahaha... Did I hear you right? You want to call the corrections officer?” As she spoke, she swiftly slapped Mabel hard across the face. “Go on, shout! Weren't you going to call for the corrections officer?”
• The slap left Mabel staggering, her ears ringing.
• Leaning against the wall for support, she barely regained her balance. Then, unexpectedly, she struck back.
• Smack!
• The room fell silent for a brief moment. No one had anticipated that this delicate-looking woman would have the courage to fight back.
• The burly woman went wild after Mabel's slap. Her eyes reddened as she growled, “You c*nt! Everyone, beat her up! I don't care if you cripple her, as long as she's not dead. Mr. Scott said we don't need to hold back, so give this c*nt the welcome she deserves!”
• Mabel was stunned. A sharp pain shot through her heart and spread to every part of her body. Mr. Scott! Xavier ordered them to do this. It was Xavier!
• Her whole body trembled, her heart frozen with fear.
• No wonder no corrections officers had come despite all the commotion. No wonder these tough, muscular women surrounding her had been so fearless.
• Looking up at the inmates, Mabel suddenly stood up and bolted toward the door. She clung to the iron bars on the window and screamed for help. “Help! They're attacking me! Someone, please help!” Even though she knew no corrections officers would come, she could only cry out in vain.
• She was gambling that Xavier hadn't really given these women permission to “take care” of her—that there was still a slim chance he hadn't gone all the way in ordering her torment.
• “Ah...” Her hair was yanked hard, and she stumbled, falling face-first to the ground. She had never been so humiliated.
• In the next moment, someone grabbed her by the hair again, dragging her up. Punches and kicks landed relentlessly, leaving her groaning in pain. “Ugh...”