Those women were treated like something sacred. No one was allowed to touch them. No one dared to. They were given food, blankets, and care until they eventually died on their own after a few days. Then, once one of them passed, another gray-haired woman would be brought in to take her place. The man never understood what the point was of those old, gray-haired women. They were weak, useless, and brought in for reasons no one ever explained. Sometimes, he figured the boss and the leaders must've been drowning in guilt, trying to make up for all the crap they'd done. Maybe they were feeding those old ladies, letting them die peacefully, just to feel like saints for five minutes. Selene smiled. "Orders from the top. We just follow them." She found it odd too, but she knew better than to ask. Around here, curiosity could kill you faster than a bullet. The trick was to flatter the people above you and never ask questions about their business. The man scratched the back of his neck and forced a laugh. "Right. Should've kept my mouth shut!" Selene gave him a playful wink. "Relax. I'm not the type to run to the boss with every word I hear." His grin came back quick. "Of course not! Everyone knows you're the nicest person around, Selene." They traded a few more polite words. His eyes flicked down to the edge of her short skirt and lingered for a beat too long. But that was all he dared to do. Selene had once been one of the women trapped down here too. There were no promotions in this place, no luck, and no miracles. Every woman who came in had one ending—death. Some were beaten until their bodies gave out. Some got sick, starved, or froze. It didn't matter how good they were at pleasing the men or how beautiful they'd been. No one left alive. Except her. Selene. She was the only one who had gotten out untouched and managed to rise above the filth. Now, she lived better than anyone could've imagined. She was smart. She was charming. She had every high-ranking man in the gang wrapped around her finger, and they'd bend over backward to keep her happy. Even then, she never acted arrogant. She treated the lower ranks with a smile, made friends easily, and never picked fights. Everyone in the Greendale Gang—from the bosses to the lowest grunt—had nothing but good things to say about her. That was why, even though she was younger, the man still called her name with respect. He knew exactly what kind of woman she was—beautiful, cunning, and dangerous. If he ever laid a hand on her, she wouldn't scream or slap him. She'd smile like nothing happened, then whisper something in the right ear and make sure his life turned into hell. So, after sneaking a few guilty glances, he said his goodbyes and started toward the stairs. When he passed the woman who'd been fighting with Selene earlier, he paused. "Well, well. What's this? Going for the soaked look?" He hooked a finger under her chin and tilted her face up with a smirk. After a few seconds of staring, his interest faded, but he still said, "Don't worry, sweetheart. I remember you now. I'll come find you next time. Be good and wait for me." The woman's face drained of all color. Men who came here this early were always monsters. They played rough until their victims couldn't stand.And this one was the worst of them. He liked it violent, and every few weeks, another woman ended up dead because of him. Everyone here knew to disappear when they heard his voice. But now he'd seen her. And he'd remember her. That meant she was doomed. The man didn't care. He turned and walked off, muttering, "What the hell happened to the girls around here? Every one of them looks worse than the last." The moment he disappeared upstairs, the woman broke down. Her whole body shook as she ran to Selene, tears streaking down her face. She fell to her knees and grabbed Selene's legs, her voice cracking. "Selene, please! You have to help me! He's after me!" The women around them all turned to watch, their eyes filled with pity. Everyone knew what it meant to be noticed by that monster. It was a death sentence. The girl he had just left in that room couldn't even move anymore. If things went the same way as before, she would last maybe two or three more days before dying completely. Selene looked down at the woman clutching her legs, confusion written all over her face. "What do you mean? That guy's a decent man. He's never given anyone trouble." The woman bit her lip hard. Of course he doesn't trouble you. You're practically one of them. But me? I'm nothing. She couldn't bring herself to say it out loud. Instead, she kept begging, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have treated you that way before. Please, forgive me and help me! "You made it out of here once. You can save me too. Please, I'm begging you!" Selene didn't respond, and the woman grew even more desperate."Then at least talk to him for me. Tell him not to touch me. He'll listen to you! Please! It's nothing for you, but it means everything to me! "I'm sorry! Everything before was my fault. I shouldn't have gone against you!" Selene stood over her, silent and composed. When the woman's voice finally weakened, she answered with a flat voice.