Madam Chen looked even worse. Her hair hung in tangled strings. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. She held herself protectively, arms wrapped around her torso as if she could shield herself from further harm. When the guards shoved her toward the center of the ring, she stumbled and nearly fell.
A guard stepped forward with a megaphone, addressing the assembled crowd. "Tonight's entertainment features two special guests, wealthy businesspeople who thought they were above the law. Let's show them how we treat people who think they're better than everyone else in Black Water Ridge!"
The crowd roared approval, jeering and shouting insults at the two terrified figures in the ring.
