Awakened Behind Bars: The Golden Finger

Chapter 3: The only way to fix things

Desmond looked at them in confusion. “Your boss?” he asked. “Who’s your boss, and what business does he have with me?”

The men exchanged glances, then smirked bitterly. “You have no right to question us, you commoner,” one of them said, looking at him with disgust. “But if you must know, our boss is the famous multi-billionaire Victor Vixen. And he has requested your presence.”

The man leaned closer. “Trust me, he hates when people are late. And he hates disobedience, especially from nobodies like you.”

Desmond felt his heart race. Still, he straightened his shoulders. He might be poor and powerless. But he hadn’t done anything wrong. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said firmly. “I was in the middle of a conversation with my landlord. Don’t interrupt. After that, if I agree to go, then so be it.”

The men looked at each other again.

Behind them, the landlord scoffed loudly. “A conversation with who?” he said mockingly. “We’re done here. Since you refuse to send your details so I can refund your $5, there’s nothing left to discuss.”

He tucked the keys into his pocket and turned away.

“Sir—” Desmond tried to move after him.

But before he could take another step, the two men grabbed him, one on each side.

“You’ve wasted our time long enough,” one of them said coldly. “Either you come with us in peace, or you come with us in pieces.”

Desmond clenched his fists. For a split second, he thought about fighting back, but reality hit him hard. They were tall, built like walls, and completely ready to tear him apart if the need arose. There was no point. And so, he let them drag him away.

The ride was silent and the car finally stopped, Desmond looked up and his eyes widened. Before him stood a massive building with tall gates stretching high into the sky, guards stationed at every corner. The structure beyond was nothing short of grand. It was a mansion. This was Victor Vixen’s territory.

Beyond them stretched a wide driveway paved with polished ston. White marble pillars lined the front, holding up balconies large enough to fit entire apartments. Floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the sky, each one spotless and expensive.

Fountains flowed endlessly on either side of the entrance, water spilling freely. Just hours ago, he had been begging for a one-room apartment, one where the kitchen and bathroom were outside. His shoes had holes beneath them. His socks were still damp from stepping into a puddle. $5 was money he had argued over.

And now he stood before a place where a single chandelier probably cost more than his entire life.

“Move!” one of the men ordered, shoving Desmond forward. He staggered slightly as they led him inside. His heart began to race even faster. The interior was just as overwhelming as the exterior, if not worse.

The floors were polished marble, so glossy he could see his own reflection staring back at him. The air itself felt expensive, filled with the scent of luxury. Desmond swallowed. He felt almost ashamed placing his worn shoes on such spotless floors.

As he stepped fully into the room, multiple pairs of eyes turned toward him. Some were sharp. Some were cold. Many were filled with complete disgust.

His gaze landed on Cherry. She stood among them, her arms folded, her chin lifted as she shit him a death glare.

A man clad in a perfectly tailored suit, turned to face him slowly. He glanced at the men who had brought Desmond in. “Is this the riffraff?” he asked calmly.

The men beside him nodded. “Yes, sir. This is him.”

“Hm.” Victor Vixen nodded once. “Good job. You may go.”

He waved a hand dismissively. The two men bowed slightly, then turned and walked away, leaving Desmond standing alone in the vast room.

The man’s dark eyes settled on him. Then he turned slightly. “Cherry, step forward.”

“Yes, Daddy,” Cherry said softly as she moved ahead.

The man pointed subtly at Desmond. “Is this him?”

“Yes, Dad,” she replied without hesitation. “It’s him. He’s the pauper that took my virginity.”

Desmond opened his mouth to speak but the man’s glare stopped him instantly. The man clasped his hands behind his back and took a slow step forward. “Do you know who I am, young man?”

Desmond hesitated, then answered honestly. “Um… no, sir. I’m not from this city. I just moved here.”

“That’s enough,” the man said coldly. “I expected a yes or no.”

He looked Desmond up and down with clear disdain. “I don’t enjoy exchanging many words with people like you. It gives me a stomach ache.”

Desmond swallowed hard. “Sir, I promise,” he said, his voice steady despite his racing heart. “I didn’t assault your daughter in any way. I didn’t violate her. She was the one who came into my room and…It was consensual,” he said quickly. “I didn’t force myself on her or do anything bad. You can ask her yourself.”

“Shut your mouth.” Victor Vixen stepped forward, his eyes dark. “Can you hear yourself?” he snapped. “Can you even hear what you’re saying?”

He let out a cold laugh. “A nobody like you, claiming my daughter walked into his room willingly?” His gaze swept over Desmond from head to toe. “Do you know how ridiculous you sound?”

Cherry scoffed loudly. “Dad, he’s lying,” she said, her voice trembling just enough to sound convincing. “I would never touch someone like him. Never.”

Victor raised a hand, silencing her, never taking his eyes off Desmond. “You see,” he said slowly, “this is the problem with people like you. You don’t know your place.”

He took another step closer. “Whether you forced her or not doesn’t matter anymore. What matters is that my daughter’s name is on every screen in this city, and yours is right beside it.”

Desmond clenched his fists. “Sir, the truth—”

“The truth,” Victor interrupted sharply, “is whatever I decide it is.”

The room fell into a suffocating silence.

Victor turned slightly and addressed everyone present. “This scandal ends today. And it ends on my terms.”

Mr. Vixen smiled. “Listen, Desmond,” he said slowly. “For what you have done, you will have to pay.”

“Pay?” Desmond’s voice cracked in despair. “But sir, I didn’t do anything. I’m just an ordinary man. I lost my parents… and I lost my little sister too.” His throat tightened. “I really don’t have anybody. I’m not someone you should be after.”

“Oh, please.” Victor let out a dark chuckle. “Aren’t you surprised that I know your full name?”

Desmond stiffened.

“You think I went through the stress of checking hotel records, sending my men to find you, and dragging you into my mansion just to listen to this rubbish?” Victor asked coldly.

He turned and walked to a luxurious chair, then sat down elegantly, crossing his legs, he continued, “Listen carefully.”

The room felt unbearably quiet. “You will marry my daughter,” Victor said flatly. “Right now, her name is in the mud. And marriage is the only way to fix things.”