Liam Winston was in too much pain to speak.
His lips trembled, but no sound came out.
Sophia Sullivan found his pathetic state amusing.
Liam knew he couldn’t afford to escalate this beating.
If it went to court, the whole city would hear how badly he’d been thrashed.
Everyone would laugh at him.
Especially with Ethan Sullivan backing Sophia.
The opportunistic business crowd would avoid Winston Group like the plague.
The company was already on shaky ground. He couldn’t make things worse.
"How does this deal sound, Mr. Winston?" Sophia asked coolly.
Her gaze remained steady on his battered face.
"You take a beating, and in return, you get a collaboration slot with Radiant Beauty Group."
"Isn’t that what you’ve been dreaming of?"
"That’s why you shamelessly came crawling to me today."
She deliberately mentioned Mrs. Winston.
"Stupid as you are, at least this trip wasn’t wasted."
"You can report back to your mother now."
"Who knew the great Liam Winston still runs to Mommy at his age?"
Sophia saw right through their scheme.
Mrs. Winston didn’t care about her son’s suffering.
She pulled out her phone and started recording.
The footage showed Liam’s bloody face and Chloe Evans’ panicked expression.
"You have three seconds to decide."
"Or we forget this ever happened."
"Three."
"Two."
Liam shook with rage.
At the last second, he nodded sharply.
The Radiant Beauty opportunity was too valuable to pass up.
Though he seethed with hatred, he had no choice but to yield.
With Ethan protecting Sophia, he couldn’t touch her now.
But Ethan wouldn’t shield her forever.
When the time came, he’d make Sophia regret this.
Chloe’s panic grew.
"You’re going too far, Sophia."
"Do you think this slot gives you the right to act however you want?"
They’d achieved their goal, but at what cost?
Mrs. Winston would see her as useless for letting things go this way.
She’d meant to sabotage the deal, not watch Liam get humiliated.
Now everything was ruined.
"I refuse!" Chloe shrieked.
Sophia arched a brow. "So you’re giving up the slot?"
Liam shook his head desperately.
Chloe clenched her teeth. "...We’ll take it."
The thought of Mrs. Winston’s scornful face made her stomach twist.
Sophia laughed softly.
"You call this going too far?"
"This is just the beginning."
She leisurely put her phone away and backed up the video.
"I warned you at the Civil Affairs Bureau."
"I hold grudges."
"Stay out of my way if you want to avoid more beatings."
Ethan chose that moment to speak.
"Instead of playing the victim, Ms. Evans,"
"you should get Mr. Winston to a hospital."
"Maybe they can still reattach that finger."
"Can’t have him signing contracts with a missing digit, can we?"
Sophia smirked at the remark.
She almost wished she’d broken Liam’s middle finger instead.
Imagine him greeting clients with that permanent gesture. Now that would’ve been poetic.
Chloe flushed crimson with anger.
"You—you’re despicable!"
Tears sprang to her eyes on cue, but Ethan remained unmoved.
Liam was too busy nursing his injuries to comfort her.
Wiping her own tears, she helped Liam up.
"Let’s get you to the hospital, Liam."
"This isn’t over."
"A stupid collaboration slot isn’t worth this humiliation..."