A piercing scream tore through the bar.

"L... I'm sorry, L I've hurt the baby..." 

Sienna trembled all over, shutting her eyes in despair.

Just as the brutal kick was about to land on her stomach, the burly man was suddenly sent flying by another powerful kick.

The pain she had braced herself for never came. Instead, she keenly sensed the shift in the air—an icy chill seemed to freeze the entire space.

She found herself able to move again. Trembling, she shielded her belly with both hands.

The air was filled with agonized groans.

Opening her eyes wide, she was stunned to see a tall, commanding figure before her.

L exuded a menacing air as if he had risen straight from hell. His face, partially obscured by a mask, was sharp and frigid, like ice spanning a thousand miles. In a matter of moments, he had taken down all the thugs, leaving them writhing on the ground in pain.

"Mr. L?"

Bang!

Sienna abruptly knocked over the glass of wine poised near L's lips, the sharp sound cutting through the air.

Kyle looked up, surprised.

Facing L's chiseled jawline, she hesitated but still spoke in a soft, coaxing voice. "Mr. L, it's getting late. Come home with me."

Kyle chuckled and nudged Shane beside him. "No wonder L took a helicopter here as soon as I called. Sienna really is a charmer. Do you think her sweet-talking will work on him?"

Shane leaned back, intrigued. "Let's see how he reacts."

However, L didn't lift an eyelid, much less spare Sienna a glance. He said with icy indifference, "Do they let just anyone into private rooms now?"

She froze. What did he mean by that? She had already lowered herself to coax him, but his words stripped her of all courage, leaving her humiliated.

The woman next to L sneered and lashed out. "Who are you to stop me from serving him?

The next day, Sienna stayed home to rest. When she woke up, L had already left. His schedule was as disciplined as ever—luxury car pickups, multiple assistants, and an air of mystery about his work. His life seemed both rigid and exacting.

Before leaving, he had left instructions for the staff.

Amy relayed his message, "Ms. Rhodes, the sir has gone on a business trip, but he reminded you not to neglect his child just because he isn't here. You were caught in the rain yesterday, so stay home and rest today. Don't go out unnecessarily."

Sienna was at a loss for words. When had she ever neglected his child? The man was both petty and overbearing.

Thinking back to the awkward moment last night, she found his business trip a welcome reprieve. Feeling more relaxed, she enjoyed lunch with L's mother. In the afternoon, she retreated to her room to research, sketch, and practice for the crucial provincial competition.

She worked tirelessly until dusk. Her focus was entirely on her designs when her phone suddenly rang. Distracted, she answered without checking the caller ID.

"Hello, is this Ms. Rhodes? Your father, Mr. Rhodes, was discussing business at the bar. But he got drunk and fell. Could you come pick him up?"

Sienna froze, and her pencil hovered above the paper. Her voice turned cold as she replied, "Call Mrs. Rhodes or Ms. Natalie. They're his family."

"They're not answering their phones!" The bartender sounded desperate. "Mr. Rhodes gave me your number. He said you're also his daughter. He has high blood pressure, and his condition seems critical—it could be life-threatening."

Sienna's cold heart faltered slightly. No matter how terrible Carl was, he was still her father. She couldn't just stand by and watch him die.

After hesitating for a moment, she replied icily, "What's the address?"

She quickly gathered her things, changed her clothes, and slipped out of the house unnoticed. All while avoiding Amy and the rest of the staff.

Sienna soon arrived at the Royalian Bar. She got out of the car and went inside. Approaching the counter, she asked, "Excuse me, which private room is Mr. Rhodes in? How is he doing?"

"He's in Room 8. His condition isn't good—please follow me quickly," the man replied.

Frowning, Sienna followed him down a narrow hallway. She counted the room numbers as she walked. Room 7 was at the far end of the hallway. She paused and asked, "Isn't Room 8 here yet?"

"It's just around the corner, miss," the bartender replied, glancing at her under the dim lighting.

Something about his look unsettled Sienna. And why on earth, if Carl was truly injured, would they leave him in such a remote room?

She instinctively clenched her hands tightly and said, "Bring him out here. I'll wait—"

Before she could finish, the bartender suddenly grabbed her, one hand clamping over her mouth while the other shoved her forward. He forced her around the corner and violently pushed her into a room, slamming the door behind her.

"What are you doing?" Alarm bells went off in Sienna's head as she stumbled to the ground. As she scrambled to her feet, she scanned the room.

To her shock, Carl sat on the sofa, perfectly composed. His eyes were clear, and his limbs were intact—there was no sign he had been drunk or injured. Standing beside him was Julia, whose lips were curled into a mocking smile.

In that instant, Sienna felt a cold chill pierce her heart. The faint hope she had for familial bonds shattered like glass, leaving a dull, suffocating ache.

So, it was a trap.

Her eyes were reddening. "I didn't think you'd trick me all the way here. Carl, what do you want from me?"

"You insolent fool!" Carl's voice thundered. "You have no respect left in you! You humiliated Natalie yesterday on purpose, didn't you? All just to embarrass the Rhodes family! Her video is everywhere now!"

Sienna nearly laughed at the absurdity. "That was of my doing?! She faked a miscarriage and tried to frame me. According to your definition of respect, I should've just stood there and let her accuse me?

"Carl, you don't deserve to be a father. Go teach your precious daughter how to carry a pregnancy properly—maybe then she won't embarrass herself by losing one!"

Carl's face twisted with rage. There were veins bulging on his forehead. "Shut your mouth! How dare you speak to me that way?

"Sure, you're pregnant, but it's with some bastard's child! Let me tell you, the biggest joke about the Rhodes family is you! People mock me behind my back because of you. You're going to the hospital right now to get rid of that child!"

Julia chimed in smugly, "Sienna, you went too far yesterday. Your father just wants to stand up for Natalie. If Natalie's upset, she might refuse to marry into the Sanders family.

"Her pregnancy is precious—unlike yours, which is worthless and only brings shame."

Her thinly veiled insult fueled Carl's anger further. His eyes darkened with malice. "Guards, take her to the hospital!"

Sienna stood frozen. She could feel her entire body turning cold and numb. Her heart, which was hardened, like an ice shard still felt the sting of dull pain.

She let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "The two of you didn't hesitate to use me to protect your beloved daughter, even exploiting our so-called family ties to trap me here and destroy my child. Carl, Julia, karma will come for both of you!"

Without waiting, she turned and bolted for the door.

Julia waved her hand, and several burly henchmen stormed into the room. Within moments, they grabbed Sienna, who was desperately trying to escape.

"Take her away!" Carl ordered coldly.

"I won't go! Dad, I'm your daughter too! How can you be so heartless to me?" Sienna struggled fiercely. Her eyes were filled with hatred as she cried hoarsely, trying to awaken the last shred of humanity in him.

Carl's face stiffened, and his expression faltered slightly as if he hesitated.

Seeing this, Julia immediately stepped forward. "Carl, if you don't deal with her tonight, she'll only grow bolder! If she competes, beats Natalie, and regains Fortuna, the consequences will be devastating!

"If she won't go to the hospital, then make her miscarry right here. A few kicks will do the job!"

Carl, who was now convinced of the threat Sienna posed, hardened his resolve. Glancing at the henchmen, he barked with ruthless determination, "Do as she says. Make her understand what fear is!"

Without looking back, he left the room.

Julia signaled the henchmen, who immediately locked the door behind them. With a cruel smirk, she stomped on Sienna's pale face. "Kick her until she loses the baby. Break her womb too! Sienna, your father wants you to learn the meaning of fear!"

Sienna's eyes widened in pain. They were bloodshot and spilling cold tears. She hated herself for being foolish enough to fall into their trap, and she hated her own softness that led her here.

Her trembling hands clutched her stomach tightly. This was L's child—the foundation of their marriage agreement. L cared deeply about the baby. It was a fragile life, and she couldn't lose it. She just couldn't…

"Ah!"

Julia turned to leave as the henchmen roughly tossed Sienna onto the ground.

Sienna managed to roll a few feet away, colliding with the sharp edge of a table. The impact sent searing pain through her spine, and her face turned ghostly pale. Gritting her teeth, she dragged herself under the table, trying to escape their deadly assault.

"Trying to hide? You filthy woman! Let's strip her down so she learns her place!"

The group of enraged men flipped the table over with a kick. Grabbing her by the hair, they dragged her out of the private room and into the dimly lit hallway. They tore at her collar, leaving her exposed and helpless. Her body was then pinned down forcefully.

A crowd quickly gathered, drawn by the commotion. Their faces were filled with morbid curiosity as they watched the scene unfold.

"Let's play ball!" one of the men sneered.

"No, please, don't!" Sienna screamed desperately, her voice trembling with terror as she futilely tried to curl her body to protect herself.

But she couldn't move! Her horrified gaze locked on the muscular leg above her stomach. The sharp point of the man's shoe glinted menacingly as he swung it downward with all his strength toward her abdomen.

"No!" she shrieked.

A piercing scream tore through the bar.

"L... I'm sorry, L I've hurt the baby..." 

Sienna trembled all over, shutting her eyes in despair.

Just as the brutal kick was about to land on her stomach, the burly man was suddenly sent flying by another powerful kick.

The pain she had braced herself for never came. Instead, she keenly sensed the shift in the air—an icy chill seemed to freeze the entire space.

She found herself able to move again. Trembling, she shielded her belly with both hands.

The air was filled with agonized groans.

Opening her eyes wide, she was stunned to see a tall, commanding figure before her.

L exuded a menacing air as if he had risen straight from hell. His face, partially obscured by a mask, was sharp and frigid, like ice spanning a thousand miles. In a matter of moments, he had taken down all the thugs, leaving them writhing on the ground in pain.

"Mr. L?" Sienna's tear-streaked face froze in disbelief.

Wasn't he supposed to be on a business trip? How c

Chapter 18