His Destructive, Toxic Love

"What are you talking about?" Eliza felt a knot tighten in her chest.

Minna shrugged it off with a dismissive grin. "It means that was just a little slap on the wrist. Next time you cross me, you might not live to regret it."

"Minna, what gives you the right to decide his fate? He doesn't belong to you. You kidnapped him and have him locked up here, which is illegal. And now you're pushing your luck even further?"

Eliza was livid, yanking fiercely against the ropes binding her hands.

"Pushing my luck?" Minna's smile was smug, "I've got a peculiar taste. I'm drawn to things others can't have, like multicolored diamonds, a painter's final masterpiece, rare treasures, and even... people. If they catch my eye, I want them. I'm after the world's one-of-a- kinds."

It was clear as day. Minna was used to getting her way.

And Casper, unfortunately, had the bad luck to cross her path.

"So, Ms. Minna fancies herself a collector," Eliza quipped, her tone light yet tinged with sarcasm.

Minna merely shrugged, unfazed. She stood and strolled over to Eliza, "Not often someone calls me a collector. Come on, Ms. Eliza, let me show you my treasures. It'll open your eyes."

Eliza wasn't keen on seeing her collection.

But she had no say in the matter.

She was dragged into a massive room.

It was more like a treasure trove than a mere room.

There were limited edition handbags, crowns that had graced queens, fist-sized pearls, and golden phoenix crowns.

And then there were elegant paintings, delicate porcelain vases, and intricate embroideries.

All things Eliza had never laid eyes on before.

Amidst these prized items, Eliza was shocked to spot one of her own paintings, prominently displayed.

This left her genuinely taken aback.

Typically, a painting becomes valuable only after the artist's death.

Even if her work fetched a pretty penny now, it wasn't exactly museum-worthy.

"This..." Eliza pointed at her painting, questioning Minna, "It's just a cat. Why the big fuss?"

"You like

I

it? This cat looks a lot

Seeing this painting,

o but think of my Chuchu."

wno

A flicker of sadness crossed Minna's face, as if she was lost in a memory.

Eliza: ...A cat portrait nostalgia?

"Why not just have an artist paint your pet's portrait?"

"You just don't understand." Minna brushed off the suggestion, "This is by Mona. Her cats aren't like anyone else's. If she'd paint one for me, I'd pay a billion." Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Eliza: ... Her art's worth that much?

"So, if she'd paint something you love, would you agree to anything?" Eliza nudged.

Minna turned to Eliza, her eyes narrowing slightly, "Sounds like you know Mona?"

"You could say that," Eliza replied, not denying it, "If I can get her to paint for you, would you let Casper go?"

Minna chuckled, "You're not her. How do you have any leverage here?"

"Here's a deal. You let me see Casper, and I'll let you meet Mona." Eliza proposed, Minna scoffed, "You think I'd believe that? Besides, didn't bring you here for some Mona."

Eliza knew that.

But if there was a chance to negotiate, she wasn't about to let it slip by.

"I get where you're coming from, Ms. Eliza. Now, it's about choosing-Mona's Chuchu or a rebellious man?"