Leo Carter's face darkened instantly.
His smile vanished as fury burned in his chest.
Sophia Sullivan pressed a hand to her forehead, taking a deep breath.
"Enough games. Give me the photos."
Her voice trembled, weak and unsteady, as if she might collapse at any moment. "Hand them over, and the money is yours."
She unzipped the suitcase just enough to reveal neatly stacked cash inside.
Leo's eyes locked onto the money, his gaze greedy.
Seeing Sophia's weakened state, he knew the drug was taking effect.
He smirked, his voice sleazy. "Sure, I'll give them to you."
He leaned in, reaching out to grope her.
This café belonged to his friend. The private room had hidden cameras. If he could force himself on her, he'd have complete control over her.
With video and photos as leverage, she'd have no choice but to obey.
He waved the photos tauntingly. "Relax, Sophia. You don't look well. Let me comfort you first, then you'll get what you want."
Just as his fingers brushed against her chest—
A flash of silver sliced through the air.
Before Leo could react, his finger was severed.
He stared blankly at the bloody digit on the floor. Blood gushed from the wound. Seconds later, agony exploded through him.
"AHHH! MY HAND!"
He screamed, sweat pouring down his face.
Sophia calmly sheathed the dagger, spinning the blade effortlessly between her fingers. She plucked the photos from his grip before they could be stained.
"You bitch!" Leo tried to raise his arm but found his body limp with weakness.
Horror filled him as Sophia stood, smoothing her clothes and lifting the suitcase. He couldn't even bend down to retrieve his finger.
It lay on the floor as he cursed and howled.
"You—you weren't drugged at all! You tricked me!"
Finally, he understood.
He'd walked into a trap, but he had no idea when she'd switched the drugs.
Sophia looked down at him, cold and unfeeling.
"I warned you. Next time, it wouldn't be so simple."
She flicked the photos dismissively and picked up the suitcase.
"Leo, if I ever see you again, it won't be your finger next time. It'll be your head."
Her tone was calm, but it sent chills down his spine.
Her eyes were icy—like she'd killed before.
Leo fell silent, trembling as Sophia took both the photos and the money. Rage and terror warred inside him.
That bloodthirsty look in her eyes—she'd meant every word.
Staring at his severed finger, he felt his guts twist with fear. He'd lost everything.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, he grabbed his finger and dialed Chloe Evans.
"Hey, you owe me compensation—"
The woman on the other end sounded impatient.
"Done already? Asking for money so soon?"
Chloe clearly couldn't be bothered.
This idiot was useless, always begging for handouts.
"Done? You owe me medical fees! That bitch Sophia cut off my finger—"
He sobbed as he recounted what happened.
Chloe frowned. He was the one who'd messed up, yet he had the nerve to demand payment?
She was about to refuse when Leo hissed a threat.
"Ms. Evans, this was your idea. Rich people like you hate scandals, don't you—?"
Her face stiffened. She cut him off.
"Tch. If you weren't so greedy, this wouldn't have happened! You'll get what we agreed—after it's done. Since your finger's gone, make it count. Stir up some drama."
Her eyes narrowed. "Do I need to spell it out? A gold-digger who abandoned her lover and turned violent? That's front-page material. People like you are experts at this."
Leo clenched his jaw. "I know what to do!"
He ignored Ian Watson's warnings—and Sophia's.
All he wanted now was revenge.
A smirk curled Chloe's lips. The show was about to begin.
"Tomorrow, I'll send more reporters your way."
She'd give Sophia a taste of her own medicine.
Just as Sophia had exposed her and Liam Winston's affair to the press, now it was Sophia's turn to suffer.