Take Me Away novel Chapter 116

"Everyone in Cherry Grove Residence calls him 'sir.' We're not allowed to call his name," Emily said after hearing what Fiona said.

"But who's he?" Fiona asked through gritted teeth. "I mean, what does he do? Why do all of you fear him so much?"

"He is well-connected. He's allied with some of the country's highest officials!" Emily spoke with much admiration. "He is a successful businessman. It's said that he controls around thirty percent of T Country's economy. He operates countless mines and the money he earns is beyond even our wildest dreams. Working here is a privilege. Many people would do anything to work under him."

"Is that why you don't want to leave?"

Emily looked away after hearing Fiona's question. "Well, that's not the main reason." Looking back at Fiona, she sighed. "We don't leave because of drugs. Miss Ji, if it weren't for you, I would have died. Getting thrown out of Cherry Grove Residence would've killed me!"

"Drugs?" Fiona shivered.

"Yes, the drugs..." Emily sighed. "They may be harmful, but for us here in Cherry Grove Residence, they're our antidote. We can't live a day without them. And we won't be able to afford it if we're not working here. It would be like dying a slow death!"

"Everyone here has had those drugs?" Fiona's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Yes. It's his way of ensuring our loyalty," Emily said in a grave tone, looking straight at Fiona's eyes. "Everyone who enters Cherry Grove Residence would be asked to take the drugs on their first day. That's when we begin to crave more of them. Only you are the exception, Miss Ji. I see that he cares about you very much. I hope you'll live a happy life with him. He is handsome, powerful, and rich. He'd give you the best of everything!"

"Get out!" Fiona said coldly. These people were crazy. They even cried and pleaded not to be sent out after they were abused. They also went out of their way to help Charles to win his favor. It was madness!

Emily was initially stunned, but after collecting herself, she responded, "Miss Ji, I'm only thinking about what's best for you. This place is heavily guarded. You won't be able to escape!"

"Shut up..." There was anger in Fiona's eyes. "Get out!"

"Miss Ji..."

"I said leave!" she roared before falling back to her bed.

There was a long pause, after which Emily could only sigh. She pushed the door open but before she stepped out, she turned back to her and said, "Call me if you're hungry, Miss Ji. I'll be outside."

And with that, the door close behind Emily.

When the room was quiet again, Fiona could no longer hold back the tears from her eyes. One by one, droplets raced down her cheeks, streaking to her chin.

'You can cry for now, Fiona. But after this, you have to be strong. Don't give up, no matter how hard it would be. You can leave this place,' she told herself. She would rather die than live the rest of her life there.

Meanwhile, someone was shouting in one room of Cherry Grove Residence.

"Let me out! You jerks! Don't you know who my boyfriend is? You'd all be scared to death when I tell you!"

The entire corridor looked chaotic given the ruckus the woman was causing.

"Just you wait! I'll have Spencer capture all of you! Let me out!"

"Celine is being very troublesome." Just outside the door, Charles stood with his bodyguards and Francis. "Leave her alone!" he ordered the guards.

"Yes, sir."

"Also, keep an eye on Spencer's every move. Let me known as soon as he arrives in T Country. We have to be prepared for when our distinguished guest comes here."

"Yes, sir." Francis nodded. He anticipated that they were going to have to deal with Spencer soon enough. After all, they did kidnap his wife.

Francis believed that women always caused trouble wherever they went. And just then, a battle between Charles and Spencer was looming. He wondered how long it would take before Charles' identity got exposed.

They passed by Celine's room and continued walking. When the women in the mansion heard that Charles was coming, they went out of their way to look presentable and ready to greet him. However, Charles' bodyguards prevented them from getting close to him.

Without so much as looking sideways, Charles went straight to a room at the end of the third floor. He knew that she must be sketching in the room. But that day, he had a special plan for her.

Charles turned the door knob gently and stepped in. "What are you sketching today?" he asked casually.

"Sir." Hearing his voice, the woman quickly put down her pencil and turned around. She lowered her eyes and smiled. "I didn't know you were coming to visit me."

The woman had a pretty face that was framed by her gorgeous raven hair.

She was Leona, a student of D University who had been expelled not too long ago. She used to be one of Fiona's roommates.

"Come with me," Charles said curtly.

"Yes." Leona nodded. She had been staying in Cherry Grove Residence for two months and she had learn to be obedient. Even though she had many questions in her heart, she would never dare ask Charles anything.

Out in the mansion's garden, the sun was shining brightly and the sweet scent of flowers permeated the air.

Leona realized that she hadn't gone out in a while. She followed behind Charles, looking in the direction of where they were going. She wondered if the governor had come to see her again like last time. But something felt strange. The women in Cherry Grove Residence mostly entertained guests at night. Leona couldn't help but wonder why they were heading to the main building.

"You must be confused. I'm taking you to see an old friend," Charles said with a grim smile.

'Old friend?' Leona didn't want anyone she knew to learn that she was there. But at the same time, she wondered who could it be?

After reaching the living room of the main building, Charles called for the servant and asked her to show Leona to Fiona's room.

"Watch her every movement. Don't let her do anything to Fiona," he instructed the maid. With his hands in his pockets, he then turned to Francis and ordered, "Come with me to the base."

"Yes, sir."

Charles turned around and walked away, but he couldn't shake off a feeling of remorse and disgust at his own actions. He felt a little guilty for abducting Fiona, so she wanted Leona to accompany her for a bit. He knew that the women had bad blood between them, but Leona was no stranger to her. He hoped that being with someone she knew would help ease Fiona's troubled mind.

The gates of Cherry Grove Residence slowly opened and out drove his car. Charles' bodyguards followed behind in their own vehicles.

In her room on the third floor, Fiona had been lying in bed. As she looked outside her window, it seemed as if escaping that place was impossible. Seeing how the place was so heavily guarded, she tried to come up with a plan to get outside. At the very least, she wondered how she could possibly contact someone she knew.

Just then, her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

Fiona quickly closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.

Since she didn't answer, the person outside knocked a couple more times before turning the doorknob. Fiona heard light footsteps that seemed to belong to a woman.

"I was told to come here. I don't know... Fiona? Is that you?" Leona exclaimed.

Hearing her name, Fiona opened her eyes and looked at the person who came to see her. She was shocked when she recognized her face. "Leona? What are you doing here?"

Both of the women were stunned, but it didn't take long before Leona sneered. "I've always wondered what sort of woman was allowed to live in the main building. It looks as if the brothers share similar tastes. Well, more than similar, they actually fell for the same woman!"

"Why are you here?" Fiona asked after recollecting herself. But the surprised expression on her face didn't fade, even as she tried to sit up.

"I should be asking you that question. What are you doing here?" Leona asked. She sat on the sofa opposite the bed and took out a cigarette and a lighter from her pocket.

Fiona had never seen this side of Leona. She swallowed before asking, "Are you Charles'... lover?"

"Ha-ha!" Leona laughed and flicked ash off her cigarette. "To be precise, I'm one of many."

Fiona's jaw dropped. "Leona! How could you stoop so low?" Fiona didn't know what to say. It was one thing to be Charles' lover, but to be one of many? She didn't realize that he was such a jerk!

"I've stooped so low? I've fallen from grace a long time ago. You know that!" Leona smirked. "Then what about you? You're here, too, and yet you speak as if you're better than me."

"I was kidnapped and taken here," Fiona muttered.

A hint of bitterness flashed in Leona's eyes. Whether it was Ryan or Charles, Fiona had always been special. No wonder she was instructed to keep the woman entertained.

Leona looked at Fiona with contempt, "Where is Ryan? Where is Spencer? Why didn't they come to save you? Don't you have men following you around?"

Fiona's face fell

when she heard her husband's name. "I believe he will come to save me."

"Then you can just wait here," Leona said casually. She stubbed the cigarette butt on the table and stood up to leave.

"Wait!" Fiona tried to leap out of bed, but her feeble state only made her stumble. She looked up to Leona and blurted, "Let's get out of here together!"

Leona stopped and turned around. "Why should I go?"

Confused, Fiona didn't know how to respond. "But..."

"It's your business if you want to go. I can help you leave."

"Do you really know how?" Fiona's eyes lit up.

"Well, you can always take advantage of the people who would do anything for you. Do you understand? Since Charles treats you so well, why not use him to get out? You can't call someone for help here, and I can't help you escape if I rely on my strength. You have to find a way to escape by yourself."

Fiona was confused. "But would he take me out?"

"You can try." Leona sized Fiona up, looking at her from head to foot. Before turning away to leave, she noted, "I've never seen Charles pay one woman so much attention. I'm not sure if that's actually good or bad."

"Are you really helping me?" Fiona stared at Leona doubtfully. "You got expelled from the university after the incidents in the bar and on Maple Mountain got exposed. You were separated from Ryan. Don't you hate me? Why would you help me?"

"Yes, I hate you so much. But if I do anything to hurt you here in Cherry Grove Residence, I will definitely get killed." Leona spoke through gritted teeth. "So it's better to send you away and never see you again."

With a frown, Fiona replied, "I hope you're being honest."

Leona only snorted. Without saying anything else, she opened the door and went out. Her hands had tightened into fists before she even realized it.

Inside, Fiona sat on the bed with a determined look in her eyes. She was never one to give up too easily. She cherished life more than anyone else. Even if there was only a faint glimmer of hope, she would take it!