After the divorce, he begged

“If you can’t handle it, we won’t force you,” Stanley said with a smile. “This has to be your choice.”

Richard’s grip around the glass tightened unconsciously. He glanced at the table, weighing his options, before finally answering with resolve, “I’ll drink.”

Rebecca had already blown it with the investors. To win them back, he’d need to drink—and drink hard. At least with Jeffrey, a real opportunity was on the line. If Jeffrey was willing to help, he’d be set for life.

Once his mind was made up, he started drinking–one glass after another.

Stanley watched as the empty bottles piled up. He shot a look at Jeffrey and muttered silently, ‘This is brutal.

With the last bottle empty, Richard was completely wasted. He swayed on his feet, his words slurred, but he hadn’t forgotten why he was here. “I–I’ve finished it all,” he said.

“Hmm,” Jeffrey said, his tone flat.

Just as Richard was about to say something, Jeffrey stood and walked out, not even looking his way.

Richard stumbled forward and blocked his path. “Mr. Hanson, you haven’t told me what the opportunity is.”

“I was going to help you rebuild your company,” Jeffrey said, his eyes icy as he glanced at Richard. “But you laid a hand on

her. So the deal’s off.”

Richard’s head was spinning. It took him a few seconds to process the words. Then, he pointed a shaky, angry finger at Jeffrey and shouted, “You set me up!”

Jeffrey just turned and walked away, not sparing him a single glance.

Driven mad by rage and humiliation–and fueled by all that alcohol–Richard snapped. He grabbed the nearest bottle and swung it hard at the back of Jeffrey’s head.

me like this–he deserves what’s coming. I’m his father–in–law, and all these years he never lifted a finger to help me.

he got. He put all his strength

one swift motion, Jeffrey caught his

Before he could even cry out, Jeffrey kicked him squarely in

and crashed into the table, looking completely wrecked. Bottles and glasses

floor in

to curse. But one look at Jeffrey’s icy, merciless expression killed the words in his throat–he

taking in every nuance of Richard’s reaction. He spoke slowly, deliberately, delivering the final blow. “Pay Mr.

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Chapter 30

them,” Richard protested

“You expecting me to cover

tone was flat, Richard heard the threat loud and clear. His face went pale. He knew that saying

he finally grasped Jeffrey’s ruthless tactics. And even if Rebecca divorced him, he would

touch her.

or card, Mr. Jensen?” Stanley asked. His tone was light, almost

the fog in his head

grand–just enough to cover that

along. “Mr. Jensen, do you plan to

panic. Treating those investors to dinner had already wiped out his last dime–he’d only taken the gamble after knowing

Jensen’s father, I won’t call the cops,” Stanley said, feigning helpfulness. “You’ll work

magician, he whipped

Richard’s

widened. ‘This was