Chapter 401

"Oh my God! That face..."

"It's horrifying. I almost screamed."

The hushed whispers in first class pierced Fiona Grandelle's ears like needles. She curled into her seat, fingers digging into her palms.

"Ahhh—" A blood-curdling scream erupted from her throat.

"Get away! All of you!" Fiona flailed wildly, her nails screeching against the leather seats.

Vivian Laurent moved swiftly to intervene.

"Fiona, look at me!"

But Fiona was beyond reason. She pressed herself against the cold cabin wall as if trying to disappear.

"Your face needs treatment." Vivian kept her voice low. "That liquid might be corrosive."

"Liar! You're all liars!" Fiona clawed at her own face, leaving angry red marks.

Commotion spread through business class.

"What's happening up front?"

"Some disfigured lunatic is causing a scene."

"Is the airline insane? Letting someone like that on board!"

Protests grew louder. Flight attendants tried to calm passengers but found themselves surrounded.

"We demand another flight!"

"What if she attacks someone?"

"People like her don't belong in public!"

Each cruel word struck Fiona like a physical blow. Trembling violently, she dug her nails deeper into her cheeks. Blood dripped onto the pristine white upholstery.

"I'm not... I'm not..." Her whisper drowned in the sea of accusations.

Economy class passengers pushed forward for a better look.

"Let me see the freak!"

"Her face is rotting. Disgusting!"

"The airline owes us compensation!"

Fiona's screams reached a fever pitch. She grabbed a blanket and buried her face in it, her entire body shaking uncontrollably.

Vivian stood nearby, her expression grim. The angry blisters forming on Fiona's exposed neck told her everything she needed to know.