Amanda turned to Veronica and murmured in a low whisper, "How are we going to get them away from her long enough to do what we planned?"
Veronica glanced behind at the two large men in suits trailing just a few feet behind Genesis. They had managed to get Genesis out of the house, but when they tried to approach her car on the way to the shoot, the men stopped them. "She has to come with us," they said.
Of course, Veronica hadn't been happy. She argued that nothing would happen, that Genesis could be gone for just an hour and didn't need bodyguards. But when the men insisted they could only stay if the boss approved, she quickly agreed — on the condition they follow in a different car.
She looked back at Amanda with a smirk playing on her lips. "Don't worry. I know how to handle them."
Then she turned her attention to Genesis, annoyance flickering across her face as she watched Genesis glance around nervously. Veronica plastered on a fake smile. "Genesis, come on, walk faster. We have to get this over with."
Genesis hesitated, then moved closer. Veronica grabbed her hand. Amanda shot Genesis a look filled with obvious jealousy.
Soon, they stood before a large blue door. Veronica nodded to Amanda and Mika.
"Come on," Amanda said, stepping forward and taking Genesis's hand—not too gently—then pushed open the heavy doors. The three stepped inside, and the door clicked shut behind them.
Outside, the two men tried to push the door open, but Veronica stepped in front with a soft smile and eyes that could deceive.
"Oh," she said, placing a finger lightly on her lips, "I forgot to mention—no one's allowed to see the pictures we take. So, you'll just have to wait out here."
One of the men shook his head firmly. "We can't do that. We need eyes on her at all times."
Veronica's hands clenched into fists, but she forced herself to relax. Taking a deep breath, she shook her head.
"I'd love for you to come in, but inside are a lot of my models—mostly undressed. Having you here would make them uncomfortable. I promise, nothing will happen." She pouted slightly and gave them her most pleading look. "Besides, I'm your boss's best friend. He trusts me. Just stay here. If there's a problem, you can rush in."
The men exchanged glances, then nodded. Veronica smiled, turned, and pushed the door open just enough to slip inside, careful not to reveal too much. Once inside, she shut the door sharply behind her.
The room was set up for a photo shoot. There weren't many people, but a few models sat around fixing their makeup or chatting, while others posed in front of cameras.
Veronica's heels clicked on the floor as she walked over to Genesis and Amanda. Genesis's eyes were fixed on a model in front of a camera—a pale, almost naked figure clad only in panties and nipple tape. The model struck a series of suggestive poses, the camera flashing rhythmically, while a large fan blew her hair back.
Genesis's heart pounded. She didn't understand. Why was that girl almost naked in front of all these people?
"Do you like it? You're going to be just like her. Only better," Veronica murmured, tucking a stray strand of hair behind Genesis's ear.
Genesis wanted to shake her head, but Kieran's words echoed in her mind. She felt trapped—like she had to do this for his friend's sake, or risk disappointing him. Yet the thought of exposing herself to all these strangers filled her with dread.
Suddenly, a stout man stepped forward. "Is she the one?" His voice was cold as he scrutinized Genesis. Then a look flickered in his eyes—a hunger Genesis knew all too well. It wasn't Kieran's hunger, but something darker, more consuming. It was the same look she'd seen in her stepbrother and his friends.
Her breathing quickened and she took a step back, but a hand pressed firmly at the small of her waist stopped her. Before she could react, another pair of hands stripped her coat away. She spun around, but both the coat and the person who held it were gone, leaving her standing in just her long-sleeved gown that stopped at her knees.
The man circled her, his gaze sharp as he appraised her. "She's skinny, but she'll do," he said, then suddenly pressed his large palm against her breast and squeezed.
It hit her like a brick to the head, but reflexes she didn't know she had surged forward—she slapped his face hard.
The moment she slapped him, he let out a sharp gasp, his face twisting to the side. Genesis's eyes went wide—but before she could react, a sudden, painful blow landed across her cheek. Years of abuse had trained her to say sorry, even when she had no reason to, and she was about to apologize when he struck her.
She hit the floor with a heavy thud.
All eyes turned to the scene, but no one looked shocked. If anything, they seemed to expect it—as if this was just another ordinary moment in their world.
Someone chuckled darkly and murmured, "That's what the entitled bitch gets."
Genesis looked down and saw blood dripping from her cracked lips. Suddenly, she was yanked forward by her hair. The man's scowl was full of venom as he snarled, "Don't you ever put your hand on me, you filthy slut."
Veronica watched from the side, a smile playing on her lips. Her eyes flicked toward the soundproof door, then back to the scene before
her.
It was clear now—this wasn't just a photo shoot.