Sophia Sullivan gave Liam Winston an indifferent glance.
"A Winston should honor his bets." Her tone carried subtle mockery. "Unless you'd prefer a larger audience for your refusal."
Isabella Robinson lowered her megaphone with a smirk. "Exactly! Just kneel and apologize like you promised."
Liam's face darkened.
He hadn't anticipated Sophia's ruthlessness.
Chloe Evans frowned. "Must you be so harsh? You were once married. Public humiliation serves no purpose. The bet was impulsive—"
She refused to acknowledge the wager.
Fury simmered in Chloe's chest. She'd initially opposed the reckless gamble, but the blood jade stakes and Liam's arrogance had swayed her.
Now he hadn't even made the top ten.
Pathetic.
Liam gritted his teeth. "There were unforeseen circumstances affecting my performance."
He couldn't admit defeat to Sophia.
She remained unmoved.
"So the Winston heir reneges on debts."
Predictable. They'd acted similarly in Potter's Town.
Sophia never indulged such behavior.
"No matter. The growing crowd can judge your excuses."
Spectators who'd witnessed the initial bet were already gathering. Isabella's megaphone amplified the spectacle.
Liam knew the stakes. Kowtowing publicly meant shredding his dignity. But fleeing would brand him a laughingstock.
Chloe hissed, "Show some mercy!"
"Never."
As distant figures approached, Liam spat, "Enough. I'll apologize."
He shut his eyes and dropped to his knees.
A single thud echoed.
"My apologies for underestimating you."
He just wanted this over with.
Sophia snatched Isabella's megaphone before he could rise.
"No need for New Year's bows yet." Her amplified voice rang across the plaza. "Since you're so sincere, I'll graciously accept."
Liam froze.
The megaphone's volume suddenly maxed out.
Every head swiveled toward the kneeling figure.
"Isn't that the Winston Group CEO?"
"Did he just kneel to his ex-wife?"
"The bet was clear—loser kowtows!"
"Nobody expected Ms. Sullivan to dominate the short track finals!"
"Losing to a champion isn't shameful. His sour attitude is."
The murmurs crushed Liam like tidal waves.
Never had he endured such humiliation.
"Sophia."
Wrenched upright by Chloe, his eyes burned with venom.
"You planned this."
Sophia shrugged. "Obviously."
Liam nearly choked on rage.
But as cameras and reporters converged—triggering memories of past media frenzies—he grabbed Chloe's arm.
"This isn't over."
He fled without waiting for a response.
Isabella doubled over laughing.
"Scampering off like rats! Who knew they had shame?"
Sophia's gaze turned pensive.
"I thought those rule-breaking skaters were Liam or Chloe's doing. Clearly, those fools lack the cunning."