Evie made sure to position herself in a way that maintained some semblance of modesty. Even when William demanded she turn around, she refused."Turn around, Miss Frye." William's voice was laced with a dangerous edge of menace."Just get it over with. You've no dignity left to speak of!" Thomas added with a grotesque attempt to laughHer heart pounded in her chest, but she would not be bowed. "No," was the simple reply that left her lips.Ignoring their laughter and taunts, Evie continued to face the wall, refusing to fully expose herself to their leering gaze. Her shoulders tensed, her body rigid, enduring their cruel jests and humiliation in silence, her dignity being the only weapon left to her.She closed her eyes, shutting out the reality of her own nakedness, of their cruel laughter, and the cold stone wall that scraped against her bare skin. She began to feel an odd sense of acceptance, almost as if this was yet another battle that she had to weather, another barb she had to endure in her life as an assassin.All the while, she ignored the leering gazes of the men in the room, looking past them, focusing solely on Caleb and praying that this act of humiliation would spare him any harmWilliam, growing frustrated with Evie's defiance, found a new tool to manipulate the situation. A wicked grin spread across his face as his gaze turned towards the lad in the corner. "Then, I wonder," he murmured, his voice filled with malice, "how you would react to the boy getting hurt."Suddenly, things were much different. It was no longer about her own dignity."Turn around, Miss Frye," William repeated, venom dripping from every word. "Or I assure you, the boy will suffer."Evie felt a chill run down her spine. Her protective instincts flared up as she thought about Caleb. She couldn't let him get hurt for her sake.Slowly, reluctantly, she turned around to face them, her arms crossed over her chest, doing her best to maintain some dignity in the face of their threats. Every ounce of her wanted to refuse, wanted to fight back. But, in the face of Caleb's potential harm, she had to swallow her pride.Drawing on every bit of courage and self-control she had, Evie slowly began to turn. Taking a deep breath, she made a quarter rotation, then half. She was now partially exposed to Wililam and Thomas, but kept the most of her front hidden from Caleb's sight. "No, no, no. All the way, Miss Frye." William cooed, his grin taking on a wicked edge. He raised his hand, index finger high and twirling in a 'continue' motion.Feeling her face flush with humiliation, Evie restrained the bitter sting of tears. The room felt unnaturally warm, the air heavy with tension that felt like a dull throbbing in her temples. The men were hanging onto to each agonizing second of this ordeal, their lascivious excitment palpable. The giddy grin on William's face was a chilling counterpoint to the knot of dread in Evie's stomach. Clearing his throat, he instructed again, "Continue, Miss Frye."Slowly, her hands clutched tightly over her body, she resumed the turn. She could feel the men's eyes tracing every inch of her body, their breath coming slightly more laboured. In the oppressive silence, the echoes of their laughter and taunts seemed to hang heavily in the air, a haunting reminder of her situation. She finally made a full turn, only to upright into William's satisfied smirk. It was a bitter victory, forced compliance tarnished with lewd satisfaction. Evie locked eyes with William, her gaze full of venomous defiance. "Happy now?" her voice was razor sharp, laced with evident contempt. Yet beneath the tough exterior, a muted fear lingered, muddled with a whole heap of worry for the young lad who was still at the mercy of these men. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Evie made a silent vow. She'd see William Bedford pay. And by God, it would not be an easy payment.