The dim basement was empty, the air thick with a nauseating stench. Occasionally, shadows of mice scurrying across the corner could be seen, their incessant squeaking echoing through the space.

In the corner, one could barely make out a shadowy figure huddled there, its feet shackled with chains. Its clothes were beyond recognition, and it was incredibly thin, with limbs as slender as hemp ropes. It clutched at something tightly, and its disheveled, yellowish hair obscured its face, making it impossible to see.

The whole person could be described as gaunt. If it weren't for the slight rise and fall of his lips and shallow breaths, one would think he was already dead.

At this moment, the sound of hurried footsteps came from the door. It was extremely jarring in this abnormally quiet space.

After a moment, the basement door swung open, a beam of light slicing through the darkness. Several black men entered, dragging the figure in the corner out directly. Another black man pulled out a syringe and plunged it into the child's arm, injecting something blue inside. Once finished, they tossed the child onto the ground like a ragdoll and disappeared without a trace.

"Madam, it has been done as you instructed." A man's low voice sounded.

As soon as the words fell, a woman's voice followed: "Good." Then only the sound of high heels was heard, rhythmically walking over. Just from the sound of her walk, one could tell her elegance and arrogance.

The sound of high heels finally stopped about a meter away. This was a captivating woman, who seemed to be in her thirties, but her face showed almost no signs of age, instead becoming even more alluring. Every glance and smile she gave held a radiant charm, making one unable to look away.

“Long time no see, my dearest stepmother,” a voice like cracking thunder boomed. Then, the shadow on the ground slightly raised its head. When it saw the person before it, it was still shocking. That face was utterly disfigured, with red lines like worms crisscrossing it and wrinkled skin, looking terrifyingly grotesque.

Her eyebrows arched slightly, a playful smile curving her lips as she looked at the shadow on the ground. "Shen Liyue," she sneered, "living such a life worse than pigs and dogs, do you find it comforting?"

Liyue looked at the person, and let out a hoarse laugh. The sound of his voice was like shattering drums, grating on the ears. His entire face was unsettling, and those cold eyes made one feel...

"Very good, excellent. With your careful care over the years, how could I not be well? Also, thank you for your heartfelt concern for me all these years. I will always cherish it and never forget it."

Looking at the woman before me, her alluring appearance, I have to say, this person indeed has the capital to drive men crazy. No wonder my father has always been thinking about her and doted on her until now.

He even ignored the fact that their mother had just passed away, letting this man into the house, and bringing with him his illegitimate son who was only half a year younger than himself.

Qin Yu listened, her expression unchanged, a smile blooming on her face: “These are all things I should do. After all, who let me be your stepmother?”

"By the way, your father said that as long as you hand over the jade key your mother left you, they will definitely let you out. And you'll still be Miss Shen. So Auntie Qin is advising you, don't be ungrateful. After all, the Shen family is powerful and hasn't treated you badly, right?"

"Is that so? Then I won't trouble Aunt Qin," Li Yue sneered, coldly eyeing her stepmother. This woman always appeared to be kind, caring, and protective on the surface, but behind the scenes, she used all sorts of dirty tactics.

The transformation from Miss Shen to this terrifying, neither human nor ghost figure has ruined not only her reputation but also her appearance, her voice, and even imprisoned her within this state.

Tell him that anything my mother has, is never going to be his. And you all better stop dreaming about getting anything from my mother because you don't deserve it!

I just want to see how the Shen Group can remain glorious forever without my mother's prescription. Hahahahaha...

The sound of shattering laughter filled the entire space, and the smile made his face appear even more ferocious. Only a single tear rolling from the corner of his eye held an endless sense of desolation.

"Shen Liyue, don't be ignorant. Remember that the fall of Shen Corporation will do you no good. As long as you hand over the Jade Key, I will have your father release you. Otherwise, you'll never be able to leave this place!"

Qin Yu had run out of patience. She had to get the Jade Key before anyone else knew about it. She understood that only by possessing the Jade Key could she truly control the Shen Corporation.

(Editor in charge：fiction fantasy novels)