That evening, I had just stepped out of the office when my phone rang. The voice of my close friend was hoarse, heavy as if it contained all the gloomy skies: "Come to the beer place at the end of the street... now!"

Before I could ask, the line went dead. My heart racing with worry, I jumped on my bike and sped away.

He was sitting in a corner of the bar, his face pale under the dim neon lights. The beer glass in front of him was empty, but his fingers were still tightly gripping the glass, the veins on his hand bulging as if they were about to burst. Upon seeing me, he lifted his bloodshot eyes, his voice choking out a hiss:

"My uncle... has been arrested."

"Arrested for what?" I didn't understand yet, but my heart was pounding erratically.

He jerked his chin toward the TV screen in the bar, where a news anchor was reporting on a shocking assault case. "The neighbor's camera... captured footage of him pushing the girl into the bathroom. Damn it... it was a horrific scene..."

His breath was rapid, as if he had just fled from reality. Each detail shattered: His uncle – a respectable businessman – had taken advantage of a young girl at a family party. That girl was my friend's sister-in-law. She had just graduated from university not long ago and was still struggling to find a job. Hence, she was easily lured by the high-paying light job offers from that high-status man.

The security camera inadvertently recorded the shadows from the second floor, exposing the man's filthy behavior. The images of the girl struggling, her clothes torn, her screams cutting through the air... Everything fell silent, except for the sound of my friend's beer glass smashing onto the table. "My family is trying to negotiate a settlement, but they won't let go! My wife... has also turned her back on my family!" He laughed dryly, bitterly. "What blood ties? Money and honor... damn it, this entire clan is about to fall apart!"

---

Two months later at the fateful trial. The courtroom was packed, the air suffocating. His lawyer – a man in an expensive suit – used words as sharp as knives: "This girl seduced the boss to extort money! The camera just recorded plain images, with no sound!"

But when the footage was played, the victim's heavy breathing ripped through the lies. All eyes turned to the long scratch on the bathroom wall – where her nails had clawed for blood in an attempt to escape. His DNA underneath her nails became undeniable evidence.

A witness stepped forward, trembling as they recounted past harassment. A sobbing student said: "I'm scared... he threatened me." Her cries touched the hearts of the jury. It seemed justice had triumphed...

Yet darkness still overshadowed. In the second appeal, the lawyer poisoned the air: "The girl fell because of the slippery floor! The scratch was caused by panic!" Witnesses unexpectedly withdrew their statements, some received money, others were threatened. He walked out of the courtroom with a sinister smile.

---That night, the middle-aged man sat in his villa drinking, flipping through a family photo album. An anonymous person had posted a video accusing him online. His reputation was shattered, his wife took the children back to her family, leaving behind a divorce notice. Business partners suddenly withdrew their investments, plunging his company into chaos, and the bank debts ensnared his company, leading to its bankruptcy. The man lost everything in a very short time.

Three months later. The young girl curled up in a small room, holding the curtains tightly. Even the smallest noise made her jump. "Honey... I'm so scared. It seems someone is following me!" – She called her boyfriend, her voice choked.

"Don't worry." – The male voice on the other end was filled with concern. "I'll come pick you up."

That evening, a shadow from an old car approached. The smell of chloroform filled her nostrils, and she collapsed in despair.

In the empty shed, where nightmares took shape. The vicious middle-aged man threw her into a corner, his face distorted with hatred; he shouted loudly:

"Do you think you can live in peace? My house is falling apart, my reputation is ruined... all because of you!"

The girl crawled across the cold cement floor, tears mingled with blood: "You... you are a monster!"

"A monster?" – He laughed maniacally, tearing her clothes apart.

"After I rape you, I'll burn your body, no one will find you..."

The classical music turned up to full volume couldn't drown out the horrifying screams.

The lighter in the man's hand flickered to life,a small flame was enough to make the girl feel that death was approaching. The man laughed harshly, his eyes filled with hatred and madness. "You will burn to ashes, and no one will remember you anymore!" he shouted, holding the lighter closer.

The girl squeezed her eyes shut, trying to suppress her cries, but the fear and pain made her tremble uncontrollably. At that moment, she thought of her family, friends, and the boyfriend she once trusted. She thought of the dreams she hadn't had a chance to fulfill, the beautiful days stolen by this evil man.

But just as the man was about to ignite the flame, the sound of police sirens echoed from a distance. He jumped, his eyes wide with panic as he looked toward the door. "No way!" he muttered, his hands trembling. But before he could react, the warehouse door was slammed open, and a group of police rushed in. The girl was missing; her boyfriend had reported her to the police.

"Freeze! Drop your weapon!" a police officer shouted, aiming directly at the man.

The man stepped back, his face pale, but he still tried to keep his composure. "You can't arrest me! I'm innocent!" he yelled, but his voice had lost all its power.

The police quickly subdued him, handcuffed him, and escorted him out of the warehouse. The girl was rescued, but her body was exhausted from fear and pain. She was taken into an ambulance, where doctors began to tend to her wounds. She had been severely assaulted, her body battered, causing injuries in many places.

In the days that followed, the girl faced continuous nightmares. Each night, she woke up screaming, the image of the filthy man on top of her and the fire still haunting her. Her boyfriend and parents tried to comfort her, but the psychological scars were too deep for her to overcome. She was diagnosed with depression.

The trial of the man proceeded quickly. This time, with undeniable evidence, he was sentenced to life in prison. But for the girl, that punishment could not erase the pain she had endured.

....

The evening light tinged with cigarette smoke, I stood up from the table, my heart heavy with pieces that had yet to be put back together. I patted my best friend's shoulder and advised him, "Go reconcile with your wife, you've lived together for so many years..." His voice was still slurred, but his eyes had lost the wild look they once had. "Yeah."

I nodded, watching his figure sway into the bustling crowd - those who unknowingly bore the faces of thousands of untold stories.

I had a previous arrangement with a few colleagues from my old company to visit another colleague. A young, unfortunate girl who had gone missing was just now being found.