“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 ss tightened unconsciously. He nced at the table, weighing his options, before finally answering with resolve, “I’ll drink.”


    Reba 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 ss after another.


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


    With thest bottle empty, Richard waspletely 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 t.


    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 told me what the opportunity is.”


    “I was going to help you rebuild yourpany,” Jeffrey said, his eyes icy as he nced at Richard. “But youid 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 set me up!”


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


    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 treat me like this–he deserves what’sing. I’m his father–inw, 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, lookingpletely wrecked. Bottles and sses went flying, shattering


    across the floor in a loud, messy tter.


    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.”


    400


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


    Jeffrey asked, “You expecting me to cover this?”


    Though his tone was t, 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 Reba 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 yed along. “Mr. Jensen, do you n to dine and dash?”


    “I…” Richard was drowning in pure panic. Treating those investors to dinner had already wiped out hisst dime–he’d only taken the gamble after knowing Reba had scored a massive divorce settlement.


    “Since you’re Ms. Jensen’s father, I won’t call the cops,” Stanley said, feigning helpfulness. “You’ll work off the debt washing sses, starting today.”


    Like a magician, he whipped out a contract.


    Richard’s


    eyes widened. ‘This was a setup!‘


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


    Richard wanted to refuse, but Jeffrey’s ice–cold stare forced him to take the pen and stamp. He didn’t know what would happen if he refused, but he knew this was thest 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 sses.


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


    Stanley couldn’t hold back his curiosity any longer. “Mr. Hanson, interview time. How did it feel watching Ms. Jensen get dragged into that private room by her dad to drink with those guys?” he asked.


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


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


    Jeffrey stared out the window, his mind reying the scene from Stanley’s phone: Reba held a broken bottle, trying to look tough but clearly shaken, her eyes stubborn yet vulnerable–so damn foolish.


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


    13:26 wea, 17 Sept


    “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