"Here's the information you requested, Sir."
Ben placed a brown envelope on the table.
Sean set down his half-filled wine glass and immediately grabbed the envelope, opening it carefully.
"The girl has been living with her adoptive parents since she was ten. Their names are Gaston and Adeline. After digging deeper, I found out that both of them used to sell girls to wealthy men."
Sean adjusted his glasses and examined ALANA's biodata thoroughly.
"No medical history at all?" Sean frowned in confusion.
"Correct, Sir. No medical records whatsoever. However, according to the locals, Alana is mute. She communicates using sign language. I also heard that when she turned eighteen, her adoptive parents tried to sell her to rich men."
Sean's expression darkened at Ben's words. His jaw clenched, veins visible on his neck.
"Watch over her for now. I'll bring her to my side at the right time."
Ben nodded in understanding and left. He couldn't comprehend why his young master, who had never shown interest in women or love—always busy running his many businesses—would suddenly desire a mute girl for himself. Ben scratched his head and decided not to overthink it.
---
Alana clenched her skirt tightly, trying her hardest not to make a sound.
All she could do was cry silently as the belt struck her back again and again. She had no idea how many red marks now covered her skin—old wounds still throbbed, now joined by new ones.
Gaston always did this whenever Alana failed to bring in extra money. The middle-aged man used her only to fund his alcohol and gambling habits. Once satisfied with torturing her, Gaston would leave until late at night and return in the morning.
Adeline simply watched, arms crossed, glaring angrily at Alana.
"You should know your place. We couldn't sell you because you're mute, and rich men don't want damaged girls like you. At the very least, repay us by earning more money!"
After that, Alana was dragged into the storage room. Adeline locked her in there until morning before allowing her out to go to work.
Alana had long wanted to escape, but they always managed to find her—resulting in even worse beatings. She'd gotten used to sleeping in the dusty storeroom, filled with broken items and the occasional startling rats.
---
ALANA
I parked my little bike in the usual spot and walked into the flower shop where I work and earn a living.
It hurt so much when the fabric brushed my wounds. Shhh.
I hissed softly, trying to endure it.
I saw my two coworkers and Madam Joanna, the owner of the flower shop, chatting inside. I approached them and greeted them as usual—of course, using the sign language I had mastered from the book gifted by Brother Dirgantara.
I don't know how he is now, but I really want to see him again.
"Alana, you haven't had breakfast, have you? Here, eat this."
Madam Joanna handed me some bread and warm milk. At least I was lucky to be surrounded by kind people here.
"Eat slowly. Dona, Arini, hurry up—it looks like we've got customers."
The three of them rushed to the front, seemingly surprised by the sudden arrival.
Six sleek black luxury cars were neatly parked in front of the flower shop. Sean stepped out wearing sunglasses, followed by Ben and other subordinates.
Madam Joanna was stunned. They looked like well-dressed gangsters straight out of a Korean drama. She tried to stay calm and greeted Sean, who now stood directly in front of them.
"Welcome, Sir. What kind of flowers are you looking for? We'll prepare them right away."
Sean didn't answer immediately. His hawk-like eyes scanned the area—not for flowers, but for Alana.
"Excuse me, Sir, are the flowers for a wedding? Or for your lover or—"
"I'll buy everything here."
His charismatic tone left them all stunned.
"I said I'll buy everything. Is that not clear?"
Sean grew impatient, thinking Alana wasn't there.
Madam Joanna and her employees immediately rushed to fulfill Sean's request without further questions, energized by the rare opportunity of serving such a lavish customer.
Sean, already bored of waiting, decided to step out—but paused when he heard Alana's name being mentioned.
He stepped closer, curious to confirm it for himself.
"Alana, finish your breakfast. We can handle things here. You don't look well today. Did Mr. Gaston hurt you again?"
Arini asked as she approached.
Alana gave a faint smile and used sign language to say she was fine and not sick. But the blood seeping through her clothes from her back wound was clearly visible.
"Your back is bleeding, Alana!"
Sean peeked from behind the flower decorations and saw the numerous scars on Alana's back as Arini lifted her shirt slightly. Sean clenched his teeth. His eyes blazed with fury. At that moment, he wanted to erase Gaston from the world.
All five luxury cars were now filled with flowers, to be taken to Sean's residence.
"Hey, don't you think Mr. Sean's acting weird lately? Suddenly buying a whole flower shop."
"Maybe he wants his garden to look bright or something."
"Hey! Stop chatting and finish your work! The yellow flowers also need to be potted and arranged nicely."
Ben barked, then walked away.
"First time I've seen mafia henchmen turned flower arrangers."
"Haha, true. But what's the most important thing?"
"Our salary's getting bigger, bro!"
---
"Why did you summon me, Sir?"
Ben stood in front of Sean's desk.
Sean threw a photo of Gaston on the table.
"Take him to the usual place. I want to have some fun with him,"
Sean commanded with his deep baritone.
Ben nodded and left with the photo. In less than two hours, Gaston was captured and tied up in the place usually reserved for those who dared cross Sean Rajendra.
Ben splashed water on Gaston, waking him up in shock.
"Who the hell are you?! I've got no quarrel with you!"
he shouted arrogantly, not realizing who he was dealing with.
Sean flicked away his cigarette and crushed it beneath his foot.
"Gastonio Hendrick. A gambling addict with massive debt and an alcoholic. You live with your wife and a girl you adopted from Sinar Mentari orphanage, don't you?"
Gaston's eyes widened. This man knew too much.
"Who are you?!"
Fear began to creep into his voice.
"Me? I'm an angel."
Sean leaned in and whispered.
"The angel who's going to take your life!"
His laugh echoed through the room, menacing and terrifying.
"First, thank you for raising Alana to adulthood. But I will never forgive you for daring to hurt her!"
Sean stepped back and signaled his men to lash Gaston with a belt—just as he had done to MY ALANA.
"Let him enjoy himself. Give him as much of that powder as you like. Let him taste it at least once before he dies."
Sean patted Ben's shoulder and walked out.
Fifteen minutes later, Gaston convulsed and foamed at the mouth. His body stiffened—overdosed on heroin.
"Clean this place up and toss him into the sea. The fish have been loving tough meat like his lately,"
Ben ordered.
---
ALANA
I slowly opened the door and stepped inside after making sure my father wasn't in the living room waiting for me.
Huff… Finally, I could buy medicine for my back wounds. I need to hide the rest of the money so they don't take all of my wages. I'm truly grateful today because Madam Joanna paid me double—thanks to that customer who bought all the flowers.
It hurts so much… How can I shower? I'm afraid it'll get infected.
So I decided to wipe down the rest of my body to get rid of the sweat.
The next day, Adeline kept calling her husband's phone, but it was unreachable.
"Where the hell is he? Don't tell me he spent the night at that damn gambling den again!"
She growled and stormed off to look for Gaston.
Alana, who had been peeking from behind the curtains, sighed in relief. She quickly grabbed her suitcase—today was the day. She hoped she could finally escape from them.
She halted and hid behind a tree when she saw four of Adeline's men guarding the front.
There goes my chance to run away… But wait—who are they?!
Two black cars pulled up right in front of the guards. Men in black outfits and masks got out and swiftly took them down.
Alana gasped in horror at the scene before her, but she didn't notice someone sneaking up from behind. A cloth soaked in anesthetic was pressed over her mouth, and she lost consciousness.
Sean smiled with satisfaction, admiring how beautiful her face looked, even as she slept. He was truly captivated by her charm.
He carried her bridal style into his car. During the ride, Sean gently caressed Alana's long, fragrant black hair.
Then he suddenly remembered her wounded back.
"Ben, take us to the hospital."