Part 3The Serpent's Crown

"Right. Shall we go inside, sign the contract, and get the money?"

Two massive guards hauled me up and dragged me toward the factory.

A black sedan drove toward us. It was my sister's car!

I struggled frantically, throwing myself toward the wheels.

The car stopped. My sister stepped out from the back seat.

She looked down at me, brow furrowed.

Sister, it's me! It's your brother!

I tried to look up at her, begging silently.

Red grabbed me by the hair and slapped me across the face.

"Damn brat! How dare you startle the Boss!"

The slap blinded me for a second. I spat blood.

It landed on my sister's high heels.

Red turned white. She fell to her knees and started wiping the shoes with her sleeve.

"I'm so sorry, Boss! The new guy is feisty. I'll clean it right up!"

Sarah knelt too, helping to wipe. My sister squinted at me lying on the ground.

"Oh? Fresh meat?"

"Yes. He's unruly. To avoid trouble, we messed up his face. He even cursed us earlier!"

Red answered carefully. My sister seemed amused.

"Heh. First time anyone's had the guts to talk trash here. Is he a college boy?"

"Yes! Graduated this year. Top of his class!" Sarah interjected quickly.

My sister looked thoughtful. She glanced at me and sighed.

"If Dragon were still here, he'd be about graduating age too..."

Hearing her use my childhood nickname, I started thrashing and wailing.

Sis, it's me! I'm Dragon!

"Hey! Stay down!"

Red kicked me hard, right in the face.

The wounds split open again, blood oozing out.

My mouth and tongue were pulp. I couldn't speak, only make guttural noises of pain.

"Hm?"

My sister paused, squatting down to look closer.

I was ecstatic. I tried to open my mouth to call her, but a cough racked my body and I sprayed blood.

Right onto her face.

Red and Sarah looked like they were about to have heart attacks.

One pulled out tissues to wipe my sister's face, the other dragged me away.

Red saw a barrel of dirty water nearby. She hoisted me up.

The next second, she shoved my head into the filth.

Sludge filled my nose and mouth. I choked, my lungs burning.

Just as I thought I was dead, she yanked me up by my hair.

"You have a death wish, kid?! Disrespecting the Boss like that!"

"I'm going to kill you right now as an apology!"

I gasped for air for a few seconds before being plunged back under.

After a few rounds, I was limp, unable to make a sound.

Red threw me on the ground and ran to my sister, bowing repeatedly.

"Boss, since he offended you, he's useless. How should we dispose of him?"

"Rip out his fingernails first. Then give him the 'Bubble Tea' treatment."

My blood ran cold.

"Bubble Tea." I had seen them use that torture on men before. It involved boiling water and a funnel.

I never thought it would be my turn.

Fine. Sister, you've committed so many sins. Retribution falling on me isn't unjust.

I calmed down.

My sister wiped the blood from her face and glared at me. Then she froze.

I closed my eyes, waiting for death.

The thought of seeing Mom and Dad again made me smile.