Thawing the CEO's Heart

Chapter 33: A Vow in Blood

Meena sat tied to the chair, her body aching from the earlier assault. Charlotte paced the room, her eyes glinting with a mix of madness and determination. She stopped and looked at Meena, a cold smile spreading across her face.

"Meena, it's really simple," Charlotte said, crouching down to Meena's eye level. "All you have to do is convince Aoom to meet me alone. Just one little message, and this all ends."

Meena, her voice weak but defiant, shook her head. "No, Charlotte. I won't let you hurt her. Just kill me if you must, but I won't betray her."

Charlotte's smile faded, replaced by a look of irritation. She stood up, pulling out her phone and snapping another picture of Meena's battered face. "Fine, then. If you want to play the hero, so be it." She sent the photo to Aoom, accompanied by a message: "Your girlfriend is stubborn. Convince her to cooperate, or things will get worse."

Back at Aoom's place, her phone buzzed. She opened the message and gasped at the sight of Meena's bloodied face. Her hands trembled as she called Charlotte.

"Charlotte, please stop this!" Aoom's voice was desperate. "What do you want? Just tell me!"

Charlotte answered with a laugh. "I want you to come to me, alone. Meena is being very uncooperative. Maybe you can change her mind."

"I'll come. Just tell me where," Aoom pleaded.

"Oh, it's not that simple," Charlotte replied, her tone mocking. "I need to make sure you understand the consequences of any tricks. So here's a little motivation."

Charlotte ended the call and turned back to Meena, who was struggling to stay conscious. She picked up a small blade and held it close to Meena's arm. "This will be quick, but it will hurt," she said, making a shallow cut. Meena winced, biting her lip to keep from crying out. Charlotte took another picture and sent it to Aoom.

At Aoom's place, Ice saw the new photo over Aoom's shoulder and felt a surge of anger and fear. "Aoom, we have to find her quickly."

"I know," Aoom said, her voice barely a whisper. She dialed Charlotte's number again. "Charlotte, you win. I'll come alone. Just tell me where."

Charlotte grinned, satisfied. "That's the spirit. But first, I need to hear it from Meena."

She put the phone on speaker and held it close to Meena's face. "Tell Aoom to come alone, Meena," she ordered.

Meena, despite the pain, looked directly at the phone. "Aoom, don't come. She's just trying to lure you. Please, don't do it."

Charlotte's face twisted in rage. She grabbed a taser from the table and pressed it against Meena's side. The electric shock sent waves of pain through Meena's body, and she couldn't hold back a scream.

Back at Aoom's place, Aoom heard the scream and felt her heart shatter. "Charlotte, stop! I'll come alone. Just tell me where, and I'll be there."

Charlotte smirked, satisfied with the fear in Aoom's voice. "I'll send you the location soon. And remember, come alone, or Meena suffers more."

She ended the call and turned back to Meena. "See how easy that was? Now, all you have to do is wait."

Meena, her body trembling from the shock, looked up at Charlotte with tear-filled eyes. "You won't get away with this, Charlotte."

Charlotte leaned in close, her voice a low whisper. "We'll see about that. For now, rest up. You'll need your strength."

Meanwhile, Aoom was in a frenzy, trying to coordinate with Uncle Chet and Mr. Austin. She knew time was running out, and every second counted.