Under the heiress facade

Six burly thugs, armed with long machetes and baseball bats, blocked the entrance to the hall. They wore menacing expressions. "Bruce, it looks like we've got a beauty here," one of the goons said as he eyed Hera.

"I don't need you to state the obvious! I'm not blind!" Bruce Wallace, the leader, snapped while his gaze remained fixed on Hera.

He spat.

"I'm here for the money. Her looks won't change that."

Bruce's eyes lingered on Hera's smooth, flawless skin, but his focus remained on his mission. He was here to collect a debt. It would be a miserable New Year for everyone if he didn't.

"Hey, old hag, are you even listening? Stop wasting our time. Do you have the money or not?" growled a scruffy man who was gesturing aggressively toward Catherine with his baseball bat.

Hera stepped forward to shield Catherine. With a swift kick, she knocked the bat aside.

"Don't point that thing at her!"

Caught off guard by Hera's audacity, the scruffy man fumbled his bat and eventually dropped it.

Meanwhile, the other thugs quickly surrounded Hera, brandishing their weapons. One pressed a gleaming machete against her neck.

blade and pleaded nervously,

admire Hera's calm demeanor amidst the danger. Nevertheless, letting her

the money?"

IOU

subtly twitched her fingers to retrieve a

she noticed Hera's gesture, Catherine grabbed Hera's arm tightly to silently warn her against making

with two million dollars in interest. The borrower's ID information was indeed Catherine's. However, the signature was forged, though the fingerprint matched

using her ID

"Hands off!"

knife, with Everly close behind, gripping a frying

dissipated. Worried for her safety, he hastily pulled

hurt them!

tossed the

and threw it

not this fucking pocket change! Don't play a hero if you can't pay up.

was scattered across the floor. Wayne's veins bulged with rage as he gripped the knife, ready to charge

assistance in this remote location, fighting seemed