“Say! Julia,”


    Julia’s face was a mix of tension and desperation as she pleaded, “Sir, please take me out of here, and I’ll give you two hundred thousand!”


    Charlie remained unfazed, responding, “I want cash, and I want it now!”


    Julia fought back tears, ncing nervously at the manor, worried her father woulde after her.


    But Charlie wasn’t giving her a chance to escape.<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Just then, a tall, heavyset man in a suit rushed out, trailed by arge group. Julia’s heart sank as she recognized him—her father, Antonio. He looked furious and anxious, but he hadn’t acted yet.


    Earlier, Julia had identally torn the hem of her skirt and mentioned needing a needle and thread. But then Antonio received rming news from his subordinates: his daughter had been in a car ident at the manor’s entrance! His first thought wasn’t for her safety; he was more concerned that she might try to flee, prompting him to chase after her in a panic.


    Upon seeing her father, Julia struggled to break free, but Charlie caught her firmly. “Miss, if you run away now, that would be considered a hit-and-run!” he dered.


    Julia, feeling a mix of guilt and anger towards Charlie, stamped her foot in frustration. In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to p him.


    Desperate, she pointed at her approaching father and eximed, “That man is my father! He’ll pay you for me! Please, let me go!”


    Charlie shook his head resolutely. “That won’t work. If you hit me, I’ll hold you responsible for the damages. One hundred thousand dors, not a penny less!”


    Julia’s face flushed with anger as tears threatened to spill. Just as she opened her mouth to protest, Antonio arrived, his voice booming with fury. “Julia! Exin why you’re here!”


    Julia, shaking with emotion, shouted back, “Because I want to leave this home! Don’t try to stop me!”


    “How dare you!” Antonio thundered. “Leave this home and go to Sicily to herd sheep for the rest of your life!”


    “I won’t go!” Julia shot back defiantly. “I’m cutting ties with you! From now on, I’ll take care of myself, and my life is none of your business!”


    “How outrageous!” Antonio retorted. “If you were born into the Zano family, you’ll remain a Zano for life!”


    With that, hemanded those around him, “Bring thedy back!”


    Leah, Julia’s friend, tried to break free, but the sheer number of people on Antonio’s side made it impossible for her to resist.


    As Julia was about to be taken away, Charlie interjected angrily, “What’s going on here? You can’t gang up on me! Where’s my money? She hasn’tpensated me yet, so she can’t leave!” Antonio red at him, clearly irritated.


    “Who are you?” he demanded.


    Charlie met his gaze, standing his ground. “Your daughter hit me with her car, and you think she can just walk away without paying? You’re bullying an honest person!”


    Antonio scowled, ncing at the two cars involved in the ident. After a brief silence, he pulled out his wallet, retrieved a thousand dors, and handed it to Charlie. “Here, take this for helping me stop my daughter. With this thousand dors, get out of my way!”<fnc5cd> This text is hosted at </fnc5cd>


    Charlie sneered, unimpressed. “You think a thousand dors is enough to make me go away? Are you crazy or am I?”


    Antonio was taken aback by Charlie’s boldness. His expression turned cold as he red at Charlie, demanding, “How much do you want?”


    Antonio’s eyes bore into Charlie’s, waiting for his response. He thought, “This ignorant boy dares to be greedy in front of me. If he dares to ask for more than five thousand dors, I’ll make him pay dearly!”


    Charlie, meeting Antonio’s steely gaze, cleared his throat and proimed, “Listen carefully: one hundred thousand dors, not a penny less!”