Chapter 16 Framed

In a secret underground room, Orson sat in a chair, a cigar in one hand. The Torris Family members were all kneeling on the ground, surrounded by armed Southvale soldiers. "General Watson, our Torris Family has no grudge against you. Why have you captured all of us?" Old Mrs. Torris, trembling, asked cautiously. "No grudge? If it weren't for you, an old witch, urging Melody to conspire with VitaNova Pharmaceuticals' Chairman Thane against us, we wouldn't be in this mess!" Marven shouted before Orson could respond. "Marven, don't speak nonsense." Orson interrupted, looking coldly at Old Mrs. Torris. "Your granddaughter Melody just damaged our Watson Family heirloom painting "Empyrean Rain in the Solitary Mountains," worth five billion. If you pay now, nothing will happen. Otherwise, you'll all die here," Orson said with a cruel smile. "Five billion?" Old Mrs. Torris almost fainted upon hearing the amount. "Melody, how could you ruin such a precious painting?" "You cursed girl, stay far away, and don't drag the Torris Family down!" "Five years ago, you disgraced the family, and now you want to destroy us?" The Torris Family members all turned on Melody, shouting angrily. "It wasn't me!" Melody, tied up, cried out. "Who else would it be? Why would General Watson lie about this?" "You've doomed the Torris Family!" Old Mrs. Torris got up, walked over to Melody, and slapped her several times. Then, not satisfied, she kicked her a few times before turning and kneeling before Orson. "General Watson, it's all Melody's fault. If you want to kill someone, kill her. Please spare the rest of us!" Old Mrs. Torris kowtowed, begging for mercy. "Did you consider sparing us when you had Thane destroy us?" "In half an hour, our family lost billions, and we ended up on the streets, all because of you Torris Family!" "Five billion, now, or you all die!" Orson roared at Old Mrs. Torris. "You... you framed me!" Melody suddenly realized this was a setup. "Yes, we framed you. What can you do about it?" "Melody, blame yourself for being too naive, thinking you could ignore everyone by siding with Thane!" "In Josenz, the Watson Family still rules. I'm a drill instructor under the Southvale Corps' War God. Killing your family is as easy as crushing ants!" "Throw this old woman out. You have one hour to gather five billion. Fail, and you all die!" Old Mrs. Torris collapsed to the ground like a rag doll. Orson waved his hand, and the soldiers lifted her and threw her outside. The remaining Torris Family members looked ashen, knowing they were doomed. "Melody, you're a curse! How could my mother give birth to someone like you!" "Melody, if you want to die, do it alone. Why drag us down?" "General Watson, it's all Melody's doing. It has nothing to do with us. Please spare us!" "Yes, she conspired with Thane against you. It has nothing to do with us. Please let us go!" The Torris Family members cursed Melody and begged Orson for mercy. Ignoring them, Orson signaled a soldier, who handed him a knife. Orson approached Melody. "Five years ago, you were r*ped, your eyes and face ruined. I didn't expect you to recover. You are a beauty now." "Tell me, where is the man who r*ped you five years ago? What's your relationship with Thane?" Orson traced the knife along Melody's face, questioning coldly. "I don't know!" Melody, trembling, cried. With a slash, Orson cut her face, and blood flowed. Melody screamed, tears mixing with blood, dripping down her face. The Torris Family members watched in horror, some fainting from fear. "Tell me quickly, is the man who r*ped you back? What's your relationship with Thane?" "I don't know. Please, let me go!" Another slash and more blood flowed from Melody's face. "If you don't talk, I'll cut your face piece by piece until you die in agony!" Orson laughed coldly. "Please, General Watson, I don't know. I was unconscious five years ago and don't know what happened or who it was!" Melody's face bled continuously, her eyes filled with tears and despair. She hated the man who ruined her life five years ago, and now, because of him, she was suffering again.