After the divorce, he begged

“If you can’t handle it, we won't force you,” Stanley said with a smile. “This has to be your choice.”

Richard's grip around the glass tightened unconsciously. He glanced at the table, weighing his options, before

finally answering with resolve, “I'll drink.”

Rebecca had already blown it with the investors. To win them back, he’d need to drink—and drink hard. At least

with Jeffrey, a real opportunity was on the line. If Jeffrey was willing to help, he’d be set for life.

Once his mind was made up, he started drinking-one glass after another.

Stanley watched as the empty bottles piled up. He shot a look at Jeffrey and muttered silently, ‘This is brutal.

With the last bottle empty, Richard was completely wasted. He swayed on his feet, his words slurred, but he

hadn’t forgotten why he was here. “I-I've finished it all,” he said.

“Hmm,” Jeffrey said, his tone flat.

Just as Richard was about to say something, Jeffrey stood and walked out, not even looking his way.

Richard stumbled forward and blocked his path. “Mr. Hanson, you haven't toldwhat the opportunity is.”

“I was going to help you rebuild your company,” Jeffrey said, his eyes icy as he glanced at Richard. “But you laid

a hand on

her. So the deal’s off.”

Richard’s head was spinning. It took him a few seconds to process the words. Then, he pointed a shaky, angry

finger at Jeffrey and shouted, “You setup!”

Jeffrey just turned and walked away, not sparing him a single glance.

Driven mad by rage and humiliation-and fueled by all that alcohol-Richard snapped. He grabbed the nearest

bottle and swung it hard at the back of Jeffrey’s head.

‘Jeffrey’s a big shot? So what? He dares to treatlike this-he deserves what's coming. I'm his father-in-law,

and all these years he never lifted a finger to help me. And now he pulls this crap?‘ Richard fumed.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. He put all his strength into the blow.

In one swift motion, Jeffrey caught his wrist and twisted it hard.

Richard’s arm dislocated instantly. Before he could even cry out, Jeffrey kicked him squarely in the chest.

Richard stumbled and crashed into the table, looking completely wrecked. Bottles and glasses went flying,

shattering

across the floor in a loud, messy clatter.

Hatred burned in his eyes. He wanted to scream, to curse. But one look at Jeffrey’s icy, merciless expression

killed the words in his throat-he remembered how ruthless this man could be.

“Those dozen bottles you drank cost over 600 thousand,” Jeffrey said coldly, taking in every nuance of Richard's

reaction. He spoke slowly, deliberately, delivering the final blow. “Pay Mr. Garcia.”

1/3

400

Chapter 30

“I didn’t order them,” Richard protested weakly.

Jeffrey asked, “You expectingto cover this?”

Though his tone was flat, Richard heard the threat loud and clear. His face went pale. He knew that saying “yes”

would only bring something far worse.

Now he finally grasped Jeffrey's ruthless tactics. And even if Rebecca divorced him, he would make sure no one

could

touch her.

“Cash or card, Mr. Jensen?” Stanley asked. His tone was light, almost teasing.

Richard's blood ran cold, and the fog in his head cleared in an instant.

“His total assets barely hit 30 grand-just enough to cover that dinner tab,” Jeffrey said coolly.

Stanley played along. “Mr. Jensen, do you plan to dine and dash?”

“I...” Richard was drowning in pure panic. Treating those investors to dinner had already wiped out his last dime-

he’d only taken the gamble after knowing Rebecca had scored a massive divorce settlement.

“Since you're Ms. Jensen's father, | won't call the cops,” Stanley said, feigning helpfulness. “You'll work off the

debt washing glasses, starting today.”

Like a magician, he whipped out a contract.

Richard's

eyes widened. ‘This was a setup!’

“Care to sign, Mr. Jensen?’ Stanley flashed an innocent smile, offering the pen and stamp.

Richard wanted to refuse, but

Jeffrey's ice—cold stare forced hig to

take hee andstatrip) He didnt

khow w vould happen if he

refused, but he knew this was the last

chance Jeffrey would ever give him.

After Richard finished, Stanley grabbed the contract and briefed the bar manager about Richard working off his

debt by washing glasses.

After leaving the bar, Jeffrey and Stanley climbed into the car.

Stanley couldn't hold back his

curiosity any longer. “Mr. Hanson

interview time, Hoi feel

WBtEhing Ns. Jensen get dragged

into that private room by her dad to

drink with those guys?” he asked. The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

Jeffrey shot him a look, “Feel like joining Richard washing glasses?”

Stanley fell silent. ‘Oops, | shouldn't have asked.’

Jeffrey stared out the window, his

mind replaying the scene from m

Stanley's phane:Reecda hefd'a

bkoken Dbitle, trying to look tough but

clearly shaken, her eyes stubborn yet

vulnerable—so damn foolish. The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

“Did you send the ‘gifts’ to everyone in that private room?” Jeffrey asked Gregory, who was behind the wheel.

13:26 wea, 17 Sept

Chapter 30

“All handled as you instructed,” Gregory replied stoically. “They'll receive them within two hours.”

Stanley leaned forward, intrigued. “What gifts?”

“You want one?” Jeffrey asked,

Stanley smirked without thinking. “Who'd want a gift from someone as shady as you?”

AD