Chapter 9 That night stretched on endlessly , as though an entire century had passed before the cold storage door finally opened again . Sebastian stood in the doorway , his tall figure backlit . " Have you thought it through ? Still planning to run to Serena with the truth ? " Vivienne huddled in the corner , her lips purple from the cold . She couldn't speak - she could barely breathe - but with the last of her strength , she shook her head . Apparently satisfied , Sebastian nodded . He ordered the staff to drag her out and send her back to her room , calling the private physician to treat her . By the time Vivienne managed to recover a little strength from this latest ordeal , Sebastian was already forcing her to attend a business gala with him and Serena . Before heading in , he gave her a rare instruction . " Keep an eye on Serena . Don't let her wander off . " Vivienne followed numbly , watching Serena flutter from guest to guest , bright and untouchable , like a butterfly just out of reach . But after stepping away for just a moment to get a glass of water , Vivienne turned back to find Serena gone . Her chest tightened . Panic rose as she searched the hotel . محبة Finally , she found Serena cornered on the terrace by a pack of drunken trust - fund boys . Serena's face was pale with fear , twisting away from their grasp , pleading , " Let me go ! " When one of them reached for her face , Serena shoved him away with all her strength . Then , in sheer panic , she climbed the terrace railing and leapt . " What happened ?! " Sebastian arrived at the sound , and the sight of Serena's body lying in a pool of blood below made his eyes go red with rage . He turned with murderous fury toward the terrified young men . " Who did this ?! " The boys , desperate to save themselves , pointed at Vivienne in unison . " It was ... it was Mrs. Langford ! She told us to mess with Miss Serena - just to scare her ! " Sebastian's gaze snapped to Vivienne , sharp and poisonous , brimming with hatred .. " Vivienn ! Are you still brooding about the nude modeling incident ? I told you that was art ! How could you be so vicious ?! " " It wasn't me ! I swear , I just went to get water - when I came back , they- " " Enough! " Sebastian cut her off , ice in every syllable . " I don't want to hear another one of your lies ! " While frantically ordering his men to rush Serena to the hospital , he grabbed Vivienne's wrist so hard she felt her bones grind . His voice was a death sentence . " Tie her to the back of the car . Drag her until Serena opens her eyes . " " Sebastian ! You've lost your mind ! It wasn't me -it really wasn't ! " Vivienne screamed and struggled , but she was no match for the security team . Chapter 9 45.00 % W WebNovel 4.3 FREE Google Play OPEN I knew you were trouble when you walked in They dragged her outside the hotel , tied her wrists with rough rope , and fastened the other end to the rear bumper of Sebastian's sleek black car . " Drive . " Sebastian slid into the driver's seat without another word , without even looking back at her . The engine roared , and the car lurched forward . Vivienne's scream tore through the night as she was yanked off her feet , her body hitting the pavement with a sickening crack . Her skin ripped open instantly as she was dragged over the rough , cold ground . Gravel and dust choked her lungs . Pain consumed her entire body until she no longer knew if she was screaming or simply gasping for air . The car only went faster , dragging her like a broken doll . Her vision blurred , the agony pulling her consciousness into darkness . She was dragged through the streets for a full day and night . By the time the car finally stopped the next evening , she was barely recognizable - her body a mass of blood and torn flesh . The rope was cut , and she was dumped on the roadside like discarded trash . The last thing she heard before blacking out completely was someone's cold voice . " Miss Serena has woken up . " When Vivienne opened her eyes again , she was back in the hospital , her body swathed in bandages . Sebastian stood by the window . At the sound of her stirring , he turned , his face impassive . " You're awake ? " He approached the bed and said flatly . " Our wedding anniversary is the day after tomorrow . Normally we'd host a gala , but this year I'm taking Serena on her graduation trip . You'll handle the event yourself . " Vivienne's heart seized painfully . It was here . The day she had chosen for her own death . She lowered her lashes , hiding the storm in her eyes , and replied hoarsely , her voice calm , devoid of emotion . " All right . " On the day of their anniversary , Sebastian left early in the morning with Serena , both dressed for a perfect day out . He didn't spare Vivienne a single word . Soon , the manor bustled with guests , bright music, and he hollow chime of clinking glasses . Vivienne forced herself to stand tall , wearing a perfect evening gown and a polite smile , hosting what was supposed to be her anniversary celebration - alone . She watched the toasts , the laughter , the hollow congratulations . But her mind was already with the corpse prop and gasoline she had hidden away . When the last guest finally departed and silence fell over Langford Manor , Vivienne headed for the storage room . She dragged out the realistic corpse , identical to her own figure , and placed it in the center of the room . Then she poured gasoline all Chapter 9 In "Someone Loved is Never Lost" by CrushReel, readers are immersed in a captivating CEO drama that explores the intricacies of love, loss, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of corporate power struggles and personal relationships, this ongoing novel delves deep into the lives of its characters as they navigate the complexities of both the boardroom and the heart. Themes of ambition, betrayal, and resilience intertwine with complex character dynamics, making for a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. CrushReel's unique storytelling style brings a fresh perspective to the CEO genre, offering a blend of emotional depth and strategic intrigue that sets this novel apart from others in its category. What makes "Someone Loved is Never Lost" special is its ability to seamlessly blend high-stakes corporate drama with heartfelt human connections, creating a story that resonates on multiple levels. Available to read at CrushReel, this novel promises a literary experience that will leave readers eagerly anticipating each new chapter.