"Felix! Are you insane? You're going to kidnap Mr. Ethan?" Jake looked shocked. He hadn't expected Felix to be this reckless. "Why wouldn't I? As long as they're a person, I'll take them. Is he untouchable?" Felix said. "If there's enough money involved, I'll go after anyone." "You—" Jake's forehead was damp. Felix's madness had left him speechless. Felix knew Ethan had serious money behind him. Shouldn't he be kneeling and begging for mercy? Why was he fighting back? It seemed the recklessness of men like Felix had been underestimated. When the profit was high enough, there was nothing they wouldn't do. "Kneel down and call someone to bring money. My patience is running out," Felix said, elated. Whoever this young man was — Wallace Family, Crawford Family — he'd put a bullet in his leg first if he didn't comply. If things got too hot afterward, he'd finish the job and go overseas. Live out his days in comfort. Besides, he was a known figure in Clearwater City, backed by the Qui

“A hundred million? What are you talking about, Felix?” Sterling looked confused, as did everyone around him. He genuinely couldn't understand what Felix was doing — slapping him and demanding a hundred million?“Sterling, has your memory gone?” Felix sneered and said viciously. “You owe me a hundred million. We agreed you'd bring it tonight. Where is it?”“Here? Felix, I told you — after the job is done—” Sterling said, bewildered. “You came down slapping me as a way to collect payment?”“Didn't I already send you a hundred million? Isn't that enough?” Sterling's irritation was rising.Just a few hours ago he had arranged for tens of millions in cash to be delivered to Felix. Wasn't that enough? And now, before the work was even done, Felix was attacking his own patron?“You owe me money, and you're trying to make excuses on my turf?” Felix said with a playful expression. He swung his good hand and gave Sterling two more slaps, leaving his face swollen.“You! How dare you — does the

Several large bodyguards moved in to drag Sterling and Natalie away.“No — don't drag me! I'm not going up!” Sterling was so frightened he rolled on the floor and refused to move.What kind of man was Felix? If he went upstairs into Felix's hands, there was no telling what would happen.“Sterling — so you're saying you're not paying back the hundred million?” Felix said coldly, rolling up his sleeve.“I'll pay! I gave it to you!” Sterling said quickly, covering his face in case Felix struck him again.“But you have to let me go back and arrange the funds. I don't have that kind of liquidity on hand. It takes time,” Sterling said nervously, looking between Jake and Felix with genuine fear.Sterling just wanted to get out of the Crown Club. He didn't want to stay another second. With so many people watching, he had lost face completely. And staying here any longer felt genuinely life-threatening.Who was Jake, after all? Someone Sterling had stepped on countless times. If he ended up in

“What are you doing? Why did you hit me all of a sudden? Are you out of your mind?” Chloe said, trying to act coy and aggrieved.“Don't you dare open your mouth again!” His face was contorted with anger. He stepped forward and slapped Chloe again, making her eyes water.“You cheap trash — don't ever call me that in the future. We don't have a marriage certificate. What gives you the right to show off here? It's disgusting,” he said fiercely. “Who wants your shoes? Get out of here.”“You — you—” Chloe covered her chest, face flushed, nearly speechless.She had no idea what had just happened. Why had he turned on her the moment a phone call came in?She had thought they were here to look at a wedding room. Didn't he say he loved her?“What are you still doing here? Get out of my sight. If I see you again, I'll hit you again,” he said sharply. “And don't ever use my family's name outside. If you pretend to have the Quinn Family's backing again, I will destroy the Wu Family.”“You wanted

“What? You're going away on business?” Sophia asked. “I'm your direct superior. Why haven't I been told anything?”“It's a private arrangement through the group's board,” Ethan said simply.“Hmph,” Sophia snorted. “Wesley and the board give me a villa without telling me and hand everything to you first. You two must have quite the understanding.”Ethan smiled. “That's because your jewelry work is at such a critical stage — the board didn't want to distract you with logistics. That's what a little assistant is for.”Sophia gave him a sideways look. “Always with an answer.”On the surface she was put out. But inwardly she was pleased.“Where are you going?” Sophia asked.“Imperial City. Business meetings,” Ethan said.“Oh.” Sophia nodded and didn't press further.If anything, she thought, at least while Ethan was away in another city he wouldn't be in Clearwater City getting tangled up with Victoria.“How long will you be gone? You're leaving tomorrow?” Sophia asked. “When you arrive, c