waking

Chapter 44 

Naomi chucked her stick aside, crouched down, hauled Rosalind up, and smacked her twice, hard. 

Suddenly, the basement door swung open and Freddy walked in. 

Naomi looked up with a chilling, scary gaze. 

Naomi’s icy look struck Freddy hard, making his heart ache with sudden regret for barging in. He feared if he hadn’t shown up, Naomi would’ve ended up with Nicolas. 

Freddy couldn’t figure out why he suddenly felt the urge to play hero. Maybe it was seeing Rosalind and Dillon all lovey–dovey that sparked a desire in him to get back at Rosalind. 

Besides, the Edwards family had turned their backs on the Sanders family. 

Despite all Freddy had done for Rosalind in the past, she had turned a blind eye to the Sanders family’s crisis. 

“Freddy, stay back,” Naomi snapped, pulling a sharp fruit knife from her bag. “Or I swear I’ll kill Rosalind.” 

Freddy stood his ground and said, “I’m not coming closer, Naomi. I came to tell you that your parents want to hand you over to the CEO of Quinn Group, Nicolas. They drugged the milk you just drank. I was worried about you, but it seems my worry was unnecessary.” 

Naomi narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean, Freddy?” 

“Naomi, I regret it,” Freddy said, looking at her. “The way I treated you before was wrong. I couldn’t bear the thought of you being sent to Nicolas’s bed. That’s why I came.” 

“So, would you send Rosalind to Nicolas?” Naomi asked icily. “Javier and Victoria can’t bear to send their own daughter to that creep Nicolas, so they’re willing to trade me. for wealth and glory. Freddy, you’ve known all along that I’m not the biological daughter of the Edwards family, haven’t you?” 

Freddy remained silent. He’d known Naomi was a poor orphan for ages. Javier and Victoria often bragged that without them, Naomi would’ve died in the orphanage. 

Javier and Victoria had taken Naomi in, treating her well at home with good food, drink, and clothes. They thought Naomi should be grateful enough to donate blood for Rosalind. 

Over time, after hearing it so often, Freddy truly believed that without Javier and Victoria, Naomi was nothing. But he had forgotten that Naomi was human too, capable of pain and sorrow. 

“You wanna tip off Javier and Victoria? You can go right now,” Naomi said. 

Freddy snapped back to reality, shook his head, and replied, “If I wanted to tip them off, I wouldn’t be here alone. Naomi, just go!” 

“When did you get so kind? You really let me go just like that?” Naomi asked, skeptical. 

“Why do you always have to think the worst of me?” Freddy shot back. 

Naomi snorted coldly. In her past life, Freddy had often helped Rosalind lock Naomi in the basement. Later, it was Freddy who handed her over to that monstrous man. 

Naomi thought, ‘Freddy’s got some nerve saying that. Does he think putting on a human face can hide his true beastly nature?‘ 

Naomi said, “Since Javier and Victoria want to give me to Nicolas, then I’ll let Rosalind take my place in Nicolas‘ bed. Would you rat me out, Freddy! 

Freddy’s eyes bulged, like, he couldn’t believe it. He wondered why Naomi turned so nasty. But then, he had a darker thought. 

Rosalind cozying up to Dillon was her way of ditching Freddy If the Pattersons helped out, the Edwards could weather the storm. Freddy couldn’t stand that the Sanders family just sat back and watched their own downfall. 

Rosalind didn’t marry Dillon yet, but sending Naomi to Nicolas could save the Edwards. And the Sanders family? They’d still be ruined. 

Freddy thought angrily, Why does the Edwards family get to dump us? Why should Rosalind marry into a wealthy family without a hitch? 

A hint of spite crossed Freddy’s eyes. He decided he wouldn’t snitch. Instead, he’d side with Naomi. 

“Naomi, I know the Edwards family’s next move. Let’s team up,” Freddy said, eyeing the knocked–out Rosalind. ‘Not a single soul in the Edwards family is decent. 

“I can’t stand to see them sell you out. The Sanders family is in deep trouble. I’ll help you. But could you lend me some money?” 

162 

8:37 PM 

Chapter 44 

Naomi was now the face of Elaine Jewelry, and her comics were all the rage. Freddy thought that by getting involved with Elaine Jewelry, Naomi might even get to know higher–ups in the company. 

With Naomi’s connections, maybe the Sanders family could pull through after all. 

But Freddy couldn’t just come out and say all that. He had to ease Naomi into it. He had to see if there was still room for him in Naomi’s heart. 

Naomi smirked and was surprised that Freddy was asking her for money. 

“Okay,” Naomi said with a smile, ” then go ahead and send Rosalind to Nicolas’s bed now!” 

“Alright, what about you?” Freddy asked. 

“I’ll just stay locked up in the basement,” Naomi said casually. 

Naomi smiled softly, “Freddy, I knew you still cared about me.” 

“Yeah, it’s only these past few days I’ve realized you’re the one I truly love,” Freddy confessed. 

“Then don’t let me down,” Naomi’s smile widened. “I want to see a photo of Rosalind and Nicolas in bed. Can you do that for me, Freddy?” 

Freddy hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Sure.” 

Then go ahead,” Naomi stepped back. Freddy came forward, lifting Rosalind. 

Naomi wasn’t worried Freddy wouldn’t follow through. She had a plan B. 

Freddy carried Rosalind out of the basement. At the door, he paused before locking it. 

Alone, Naomi flicked on a flashlight, smeared dirt on her face, and tousled her hair. Then, she gritted her teeth and slapped herself twice, leaving marks all over her arms and legs. 

Through it all, Naomi stayed stone–faced, like she couldn’t feel a thing. 

Naomi checked her phone. It had been twenty minutes since she texted Shawn for help. 

‘Will Shawn come to save me?‘ Naomi wondered, feeling unsure. 

Naomi put her phone away and curled up on the dirty, cold floor, hugging her knees. 

Before long, her body started shaking uncontrollably. The pain and abuse she endured in her past life were magnified in this dark moment. 

Pain, fear, and suffocation felt like invisible hands choking Naomi. 

“Help me… someone, please…” Tears and sweat streamed down Naomi’s face. She continued to shake, holding her stomach tight. 

Suddenly, a loud bang echoed, and sunlight flooded in. A tall figure rushed in, wrapping Naomi in a black suit and lifting her up. 

Naomi tight as she trembled in his 

“Naomi, wake up,” Shawn said through gritted teeth, Holdin 

drms, he tightened his strong arms around her. 

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