For now, the most important thing was to leave this dangerous place. As for Yvette, I decided to let her go. While Otto’s group wasn’t back yet, I went inside and quickly packed my things before slipping away. Yvette ran after me, calling me. But I ignored her.
For a while, I realized that nobody chased me anymore after walking. I finally breathed in relief. Then, I approached a red-bearded Ukrainian and spoke to him in his language, saying I wanted to trade my gold pendant for US dollars.
The red-bearded man brought me to a corner of the street. Just as I pulled out the gold pendant to exchange, a hand suddenly grabbed it from behind. When I turned, it was Otto.
Yvette was right behind him, her face smug.
"Otto, I told you something was wrong because I followed him secretly. I was right. He was hiding something valuable."
"Give me back my gold pendant!"
I stretched out my hand to Otto, staring hard at him with my burning eyes.
Otto looked down on me with eyes full of disdain.
"When the pendant is in my hand, it’s mine. Why should I give it back?"
This gold pendant was my last hope of escape. I had to get it back. So, I lunged at him, grabbed his hand and tried to force the gold pendant out of his hands.
I pushed Otto hard. He then fell to the ground. I struggled to open his fingers to get my pendant back.
Just as I was about to succeed, Yvette shouted to the others, "Why are you still standing there? Go help him!"
At her command, the group rushed at me and pinned me down. Otto slapped me across the face. Soon, a salty, bloody taste spread in my mouth. Staring at this beast who had tormented me again and again, I wished I could tear him apart.
But the fear of death pressed down harder than my anger, so I begged Otto in a low voice.
"Otto, we have no grudge between us. Why do you treat me like this?"
"Please, give me back my gold pendant. I only want to trade it for money and leave here."
Otto sneered and whispered into my ear, "Don’t blame me. Blame yourself for blocking my path. You’re very useful to me."
Then, he ordered his lackeys, "Strip him and check if he’s hiding anything else."
"If he is, we’ll sell it all and take the money to the black market. Tonight we’ll enjoy ourselves together."
It was minus ten degrees Celsius in Ukraine. If they stripped me naked, I would freeze to death. I struggled against their grip and shouted, "I’m the future CEO of Blackmoore Corporation! If you hurt me, my father won’t let you go!"
Hearing me claim the Blackmoore future CEO title again, Otto’s face turned dark.
He shouted an order, "Strip him naked and tie him to a tree! Let’s see if he dares talk nonsense again!"
I fought with all my strength, but I couldn’t break free. They tore off my clothes and bound me tightly to a freezing tree trunk. The cold wind bit into me, making my teeth chatter and my whole body shake.
Otto smirked with evil delight.
"Everyone, listen well. I’m the true future CEO of Blackmoore Corporation. I’m your real future boss."
"Now, each of you will pour a bucket of water over this fake future CEO. When you come back to the US, I promise you that all of you will get promotions!"
Hearing the promise of promotion, the lackeys immediately rushed to find water. Soon, one of them returned with a full bucket. Otto took it with a twisted smile and poured it all over me with a loud splash.
"Ah!"
The splash of water stabbed into me like icy needles. It felt as if my insides froze in an instant. The water quickly turned to ice, locking me in place. I couldn’t breathe, as though death was only a moment away.
Just as they raised the buckets to pour more water on me, a squad of armed Ukrainian soldiers surrounded us.
The bald Ukrainian leader shouted, "Stop!"
