Chapter 40 In the days that followed , not seeing Xavier brought a certain peace , but on the third night he returned - and Vanessa was trailing behind him . " Several murders have happened recently near where Vanessa lives . I didn't feel safe, so I brought her home to stay for a while . Once the police catch the killer I'll take her back ," Xavier said calmly , as if he were merely informing me . " The marriage was already over , this wasn't my home anymore . I didn't have the energy to argue . " Suit yourself ," I said . } Xavier didn't expect me to let it go so easily . Seeing the calm on my face , he frowned and was about to say more when Vanessa spoke up . " Mia , I just got off a late shift and haven't had dinner yet . Could you help me with it ? " Vanessa smiled , but there was a look of provocation in her eyes . " Xavier says your cooking is great ; I've never tried it . " " Call a servant , " I replied . \ She turned to leave , but Vanessa let out a petulant hum . Xavier reached out to stop her . " Mia ! " " He didn't say anything further , but the meaning was clear . The divorce agreement would soon take effect ; I didn't want to start a scene now.I forced a smile and trudged toward the kitchen . The soup boiled in the pot ; l mechanically ladled it into bowls and set them on the table . " Is this all we're eating ? It looks horrible , " Vanessa said , covering her nose as she stood by the table . t'had no patience left . " You don't have to eat it ," I shot back . At that , I saw a calculating glint cross Vanessa's eyes . In the next instant she grabbed my wrist and shoved it into the scalding soup : " Ah- " A searing burn shot from my palm through my whole body and I jerked my hand back reflexively , but Vanessa held it down.In the struggle , a ceramic bowl toppled and shattered on the floor , hot soup splattering everywhere . " I yanked my hand free , but blisters were already rising and my skin reddening . " " What's going on ? " Xavier shouted as he rushed in . Vanessa , eyes rimmed red , lifted her hand to show soup stains on her forearm . " Xavier , Mia wouldn't make me food and , in a fit , poured the soup on me . My hand hurts .... " Xavier's face went pale . He grabbed my wrist . " Mia ! Are you serious ? Apologize to Vanessa right now ! White with pain , l bit my lip and tore my hand from his grip , holding up the burned , blistered palm . " You want me to apologize ? Look closely - who deliberately threw the soup , who put their hand on whom ? " He froze . < He turned and gave Vanessa a suspicious look . " Vanessa went pale . Suddenly she clutched her stomach and wailed ," Ah , my stomach - it hurts so much , Xavier . There's chicken in the food ; I'm allergic to beef ! " % " I just asked a question and Mia got angry and dumped the soup on me.If you don't believe me , check the security footage - l never lie . " 8 " Ah , my stomach , it hurts ... she sobbed.Z Suspicion in Xavier's eyes was replaced by anger . He looked at me coldly . " . Vanessa's beef allergy - he had told me about it! " I didn't do it ! Whoever's lying will be caught on the footage ! " I snapped . " Xavier's temper flared . He scooped Vanessa up and barked an order . " That's enough , Mia ! " N He called the housekeeper . " Lock her in the basement . Do not let her out without my permission ! " N The basement - Xavier's pet room , a dark , windowless damp chamber where he kept hundreds of snakes - sent a shiver through me.I recoiled instinctively . " I won't go ... " E " Let go of me ! " % I struggled with all my strength , but Xavier didn't look back ; I was thrown into that basement.N They slammed the door and the stifling heat rushed at me . The quiet room occasionally hissed , goosebumps covered my skin Something strange brushed my feet and began to crawl up me with soft , whispering movements.N " Ab- " I screamed flipchi P P. " Ah- " I screamed , flinching and trying to fling off the things crawling on me . " " Open the door ! Let me out ! " " Open up ! " I pounded the door until my hands ached , but no one answered . The heat brought a rash that itched and burned ; I grew dizzy and thrashed through the night until I had no strength left to call out . " I curled up in a corner , panting , my eyes filled with despair . " I don't know how long it took , but just before I lost consciousness , the door opened . \ Xavier stood in the doorway , his backlit , silent for a long time . Thinking I could finally leave , I forced myself to stand , holding onto the wall , and took a stumbling step . " Hold her down , " Xavier's voice sullenly rang out . " Before I could react , my arms were pinned down by the bodyguards . Then , my jaw was forcibly pried open , and a cup of unknown substance was poured into my mouth . " " Cough , cough , cough ! " I choked , my head swollen ." What did you give me ? " Before I could answer , my body gave the answer . A rash quickly broke out on my skin , and the intense feeling of suffocation made me feel like I was dying . " I had an allergy . " " Because you deliberately gave Vanessa the allergen , she's still in the hospital having her stomach pumped !Today , I'll make you feel her pain , so she'll learn a lesson ." } Xavier's eyes were cold . Even as I writhed in agony , not a trace of heartache lingered in them . " I clutched my stomach , the intense discomfort making it extremely difficult to breathe . " I said I didn't ... " No one would listen to my explanation . Xavier stood before me , watching me writhe , wailing , and finally , losing consciousness ... At that moment , I truly gave up !! Xavier , you will pay for everything you've done to me for Vanessa !