Meanwhile, Mariah, after enduring a brutal beating, was already on the brink of consciousness.

After they had finished beating her, the assailants left the room, clearly intending to leave her gasping for breath and let her fend for herself.

Mariah struggled to lift her arm, managing to sit up from the floor. Just that one movement almost drained her of all her strength.

Leaning against the leg of the desk, she glanced at the bruises covering her body and felt a surge of hatred ...