As they descended, the atmosphere on the detainment floor became distinct from the upper levels. Dim lighting and gray walls contributed to a gloomy and eerie ambiance, accentuated by the knowledge that this floor was often used for lethal purposes.
Scarlett proceeded down a long corridor, passing several guards clad in black uniforms and fully armed. She then approached a door secured with a unique access code, granting entry to the heavily fortified detention facility where Theodor was being held.
Soon, Scarlett reached the black door at the room's far end. Before opening the door using her fingerprints, she glanced over at Rex. He leaned against the nearby wall, engrossed in his phone and seemingly oblivious to her presence.
Shaking her head, Scarlett refocused her attention on the door before her. Taking a deep breath, she braced herself and pushed open the heavy door, causing the room to be bathed in a sudden burst of yellow light.
However, what she saw inside left her utterly shocked. Her eyes widened, and she couldn't help but curse under her breath, 'What the hell! Did I enter the wrong room?' she exclaimed.
Scarlett's eyes widened as she took in the sight before her — a man crouched on the floor, his head buried in his arms as if he was desperately avoiding something. He was covered only in black trousers and a dirty white shirt, which bore shoe marks.
If it weren't for his distinctive ginger-red hair, Scarlett would have struggled to recognize the man as Theodor. She could discern multiple bruises on his visage and hands despite his attempt to shield his face.
The pitiful state of his body brought to mind images of beaten pickpockets in the Hong Kong movies she had watched in the past.
Scarlett furrowed her brow as she cautiously approached Theodor, wondering who could have inflicted such injuries upon him. There was no trace of Theodor's previous handsomeness and arrogance. He looked more like a bedraggled cat without his usual self-confidence.
Although a sense of pity began to well up within Scarlett for Theodor's unfortunate circumstances, it was overshadowed by a simmering frustration. She could not unleash her pent-up anger upon this wretched man, which had always been her intention.
Tightening her fists at her sides, Scarlett grumbled inwardly, 'Damn it! Rex Morrison, why did you have to intervene and strike my enemy? You've stolen my chance to exact my vengeance!'
With annoyance coursing through her, Scarlett scanned the room for something she could use. Her eyes landed on a chair nestled in the corner. Moving swiftly, she seized the chair and dragged it across the concrete floor, causing a scraping sound that roused the semi-conscious Theodor from his stupor.
Theodor buried his face in his hands, his voice trembling as he spoke, "H-How many times must I reiterate," his words were laced with both fear and hatred, "I will never divulge anything to you! Not even if you take my life!" Anger surged within him, fueling his defiance.
His body was racked with excruciating pain, leaving him nearly paralyzed. However, what frustrated Theodor more was his complete lack of understanding as to why he had been captured in the first place.
All he knew was that his captor, who had subjected him to this brutal beating, sought information about his family. Enduring the agony, Theodor vowed to himself that he would never betray his royal lineage. He would rather meet his death within these confines than betray his family.
Scarlett's eyes widened in surprise at Theodor's question.
'What on earth has Rex done to this poor man? What kind of information did he ask him for?' Numerous questions raced through her mind, but she set them aside for now.
She placed the chair a short distance from Theodor and retrieved two syringes from her coat pocket. With calm steps, she approached him, crouching down. She stabs both injections—the blue and yellow liquids—in one swift motion. After removing the syringes, she discreetly returned them to her pocket.
"What... What are you doing?" Theodor asked in a panic. Despite his semi-conscious state, he could sense the presence of someone injecting substances into his body.
Within seconds, Theodor felt a peculiar sensation coursing through his body. His limbs involuntarily curled up even tighter, but his hands shifted from shielding his face to pressing against his chest, which was now engulfed in nameless heat.
"B-Bloody hell! A-Are you poisoning me??" Theodor screamed in agony, mustering the strength to lift his head and meet the gaze of the individual standing before him.
Slowly, he raised his head, his eyes fixated on the face of this despicable person. He vowed to carve this face into his memory, even if he were to perish here, he would make it his mission to haunt this person incessantly.
However, when his eyes met that person's face, he was utterly shocked.
"Scarlett Piers!?" Theodor exclaimed in shock. "Is it truly you, Scarlett Piers?" he questioned, his disbelief evident in his voice.
He couldn't fathom the idea that his best friend's wife could be responsible for his kidnapping and torture. They had never crossed paths before, and he couldn't recall any reason for her to harbor ill intentions toward him. Now his mind raced with a mix of disbelief and confusion.
"W-Why Why did you kidnap me?" he asked again. But, still, Scarlett did not answer.
'Why does this woman hate me? Did I make her angry? That's why she seemed cold to me when we met before?' Theodor was talking to himself, and now many questions have crossed his mind.
Theodor looked into Scarlett's eyes intently, waiting for her answer. However, Scarlett completely ignored him. She even casually moved away from him and sat on a chair in the middle of the room.
He struggled to sit up, finding a newfound ease in his movements, as if the pain he had experienced earlier had dissipated; his body felt much better, no more burning feeling in his chest, no more pain in his whole body being hit.
