Sophia Sullivan helped Liam Winston up from the floor.
Her fingers trembled.
"Liam."
She called his name softly.
He didn't respond.
Moments ago, he had stared blankly at Sophia's retreating figure.
He'd even called out that name without thinking.
Sophia clenched her jaw.
Always wanting more before finishing what's in front of them.
Men were all the same.
Liam remained unconscious.
Panic surged through her.
The token wasn't secured yet.
Sophia stamped her foot in frustration.
She turned and hurried down the corridor.
"Sophia!"
Her voice echoed sharply.
"Aren't you ashamed of what you've done to him?"
"If that slap had killed him, you'd be facing criminal charges!"
Her fists tightened.
Losing the auction to Sophia still stung.
She'd assumed it was all bluster.
But Sophia had actually produced three hundred million.
Sophia forced her tone to soften.
"I know you're angry."
"In the past, Liam treated you poorly because of me."
"But that token is crucial to the Winstons."
She took a deep breath.
To Chloe, Sophia's actions—winning the auction and striking Liam—were pure retaliation.
She had to swallow her pride.
The token must be secured.
"You've had your revenge. You've hit him."
"Will you give us the token now?"
"The Winstons will compensate you fully. No breach of contract."
Chloe feigned composure.
Inside, she was frantic.
She couldn't face Mrs. Winston empty-handed.
First, trick Sophia into handing over the token.
Let the old man handle the three-hundred-million debt.
A perfect scheme.
Sophia let out a light laugh.
"No."
Chloe stiffened.
This woman was impervious to reason.
Suppressing her rage, she forced a stiff smile.
"Perhaps you're unaware of auction house protocols."
"Final lots often attract unsavory types."
The more she spoke, the more hollow her words sounded.
It was an insult to intelligence.
She dropped the act.
"Let me be clear."
"Hand over the token, and the Winstons will pay you three hundred million."
"But if anything happens to Liam, I'll make sure you rot in prison!"
All pretense vanished.
Greed and malice twisted her features.
Ethan Sullivan observed coldly from the sidelines.
So many fools.
He signaled to a staff member.
"Unauthorized personnel aren't permitted in the VIP lounge."
The manager broke into a cold sweat.
Someone dared to harass Mr. Sullivan?
"Miss, you need to leave immediately."
Chloe ignored him.
"Sophia, this is your last chance."
"Liam and I will let today slide."
"We won't trouble you again."
She couldn't return empty-handed.
Sophia's fingers brushed the edge of a serving tray.
A silver knife slid into her palm.
She toyed with the sharp blade.
Her movements were casual.
"Thinking of taking it by force?"
"Consider your abilities first."
A flick of her wrist.
The knife shot through the air.
A flash of silver.
Chloe's breath caught.
Death loomed before her.
Thunk—
The blade grazed her cheek.
Embedded deep in the wall behind her.
Sophia stood at the edge of light and shadow.
Her gaze was colder than steel.
Chloe trembled violently.
Fingers touched her cheek.
She looked down.
Blood stained her fingertips.