Chapter 4

Ryan was incredibly fast.

Soon, the storage room door was violently pushed open from outside. Ryan stormed in with two bodyguards.

He was startled when he saw the blood on my mouth, my disheveled clothes, and my pathetic posture, propped on the ground. He rushed forward to help me up.

I shook my head, signaling him not to speak. I took the bank card with the sticky note on it from his hand and tossed it to Blake.

Blake took the card and didn't bother me any further, waving a dismissive hand. "If that's a fake card, I have ways of finding you. Now get out."

I endured the agonizing, bone-deep pain throughout my body. With Ryan's help, I limped out of that sickening place.

Once at the entrance, I thanked Ryan. "Thanks, buddy. I'll get this money sorted out and pay you back quickly."

He looked at me worriedly. "It's just a small amount, don't worry about it. But what happened to you?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "My sister found herself a wonderful boyfriend. I guess I need to have a little chat with her."

I pulled out my phone and found the number for the restaurant's deputy manager. He was the actual manager of the restaurant, someone I had personally recruited, and he was quite loyal to me.

The call connected. I didn't waste a single word, my voice devoid of emotion. "You have ten minutes. Fire a manager named Blake."

"Otherwise, our family will pull all investments from the restaurant. Every single penny. Gone."

The deputy manager on the other end was already freaked out the moment he heard my voice. He must have detected the weakness and something wrong in my tone, agreeing frantically without daring to ask why.

I hung up without hesitation and immediately had Ryan drive me to the police precinct.

I stated everything that had just happened to the officer who received me, using the clearest, most logical terms. After giving a detailed statement at the station, I went to the hospital for a medical report detailing my injuries.

Holding that thin report, the anger of betrayal in my heart felt like gasoline poured on a raging inferno, burning hotter and fiercer.

I needed an explanation.

I needed Mia to give me an explanation, herself.

My assistant found Mia at her villa. My driver and bodyguards arrived, and we headed straight to Mia's place. I had bought that villa for her years ago.

However, when I arrived, I was greeted by ear-splitting heavy metal music and the raucous sounds of men and women spilling from the windows.

She was throwing a party. No wonder she hadn't picked up my calls.

The villa's front door was ajar. A strange impulse kept me from pushing it open immediately.

Soon, I heard a familiar male voice.

It was Blake.

He was complaining to everyone in the room, portraying himself as a helpless victim, bullied by some arrogant third party and then unfairly blamed.

"...I just asked him to pay his bill, and he threw a hundred grand in my face, then got me fired!"

"Mia, he's gone too far! He clearly has no respect for you!"

"He just wants to humiliate me, he just wants us to break up!"

Inside, Mia's usual crowd of hangers-on indignantly echoed his sentiments. Mia was loudly comforting Blake in her arms, her voice full of tenderness and doting affection.

"Blake, don't worry, I won't let you suffer like this!"

Then, as if to prove her resolve, she vowed to everyone present, "When I find my brother, I'll make him get down on his knees and apologize to you!"

Inside, the spoiled brats were still siding with Blake, shouting about how they would make me pay.

"Mia, just say the word, and we'll go drag that guy out right now!"

"Yeah! Make him realize who truly calls the shots here!"

I couldn't listen anymore. I raised a hand, and my bodyguard kicked the villa door open.

The party music ground to a sudden halt, and the raucous laughter vanished instantly. Dozens of startled eyes swung towards the doorway.

"No need to search. I'm right here. Who wants to teach me a lesson?"