Chapter 5 True Nature Exposed

The train hummed steadily along, and the once lively carriage grew quieter as passengers started to doze off. Blaine and Jessie were no exception. Their snores gradually filled the air. Evelyn didn't want to talk to Crystal. She clutched her belongings and closed her eyes, trying to gather her thoughts and plan her next steps. Suddenly, she felt a gentle nudge at her foot under the small table. "Evelyn, are you asleep?" Crystal whispered as she leaned in closer. Frowning, Evelyn opened her eyes and glanced up at her. "What?" Crystal swallowed nervously as she glanced at the two sleeping figures beside them. "Did your dad lose all his money too? Is that why you're heading to Kingsbridge to work off your family's debts?" Evelyn looked at Crystal with clear, calm eyes and replied, "No. My mom doesn't want me to marry Larry, so she asked Ms. Wilkinson to take me to Kingsbridge for a better future." At the mention of Larry Fitzgerald, a hint of guilt flashed across Crystal's face. The Fitzgerald family had originally shown interest in Crystal. But she, unwilling to marry Larry, had secretly told him about the stunning Sinclair family's daughter—Evelyn. Not only was Evelyn beautiful, but she also came from a long lineage known for producing twin sons. Larry was the only son of the Fitzgerald family, and his father had no siblings. He was a cripple with a face full of pockmarks. He indulged in vices like drinking, gambling, womanizing, and had a troubling habit of abusing his wives. Despite his behavior, his parents spoiled him, and he was unconditionally doted on by his 11 elder sisters. Even after driving six wives to ruin or death, the Fitzgerald family still managed to scrape together enough money to get him a seventh wife. In the novel, Evelyn and this scoundrel were bound by a deep karmic connection. She spent six miserable years in Kingsbridge and suffered numerous miscarriages before eventually losing her ability to bear children altogether. After the surgery, she was in a dazed state when she suffered a car accident that left her disfigured and paralyzed. With her spirit crushed, she was sent back to her hometown. She eventually married Larry, only to be tortured by him until her death. As Evelyn thought about her ending in the story and the person who would soon rise to power over her dead body, her gaze on Crystal grew even colder. Crystal shuddered under the weight of Evelyn's gaze. For some reason, looking at Evelyn—who usually seemed so oblivious—made her feel uneasy. She couldn't bring herself to look her in the eye. But as soon as she thought about what awaited her after they got off the train, Crystal's resolve hardened. If she didn't find a way to escape now, it would be too late once they reached Kingsbridge. The train was her last chance. "Evelyn, give me your hand." Crystal nervously mouthed the words while reaching out her hand toward Evelyn under the table. Evelyn glanced at Crystal, her expression icy. But after a moment, she silently extended her hand. Then, Crystal anxiously wrote two words in the palm of Evelyn's hand—human traffickers. She kept stealing glances at Jessie and Blaine as she wrote. Evelyn knew what was going on, but her face showed just the right amount of surprise and panic, as if she truly believed Crystal's words. "What should we do?" Evelyn wrote a question mark back into Crystal's palm. As Crystal noticed that Evelyn was buying into her story, her gaze grew more determined. She wasted no time in writing, "Listen to me. We have to escape together." Evelyn nearly laughed out loud. As expected, Crystal was just as self-serving in the book. She was sold to repay a debt. She had signed a contract, pressed her thumbprint, and even mortgaged her ID. The only way for her to escape the human traffickers was to run. But Evelyn was different. Her ID was with her, and no contract bound her. She had just been tricked into boarding the train. If she didn't want to go, she could simply report it to the train attendant and call the police. There was no need for her to run. Crystal pretended to be helping her escape, but in truth, she was only using Evelyn as a shield to save herself. Evelyn was strikingly beautiful, while Crystal was only passably pretty. If they both tried to escape at the same time, the human traffickers would undoubtedly pursue Evelyn without hesitation. That would give Crystal her chance to slip away. In the novel, Crystal did indeed manage to flee successfully. She even met the male lead along the way. But Evelyn's fate was far less fortunate. After being caught, she was brutally beaten and sexually assaulted.