The man’s chiseled face hardened instantly.

Meanwhile, Esther lowered her head, avoiding everyone’s gaze.

Beside Nelsy, Vinson seemed to be suppressing a laugh. To him alone, Esther’s face looked comical. But to the other three in the room, the sight of her face smeared with blood and tears evoked a mix of emotions—worry, fear, and above all, anger.

Nelsy stomped on Vinson’s shoe and glared at him fiercely.

“Stop laughing! There’s nothing funny about this,” she hissed.

The look ...