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.

pleaded nervously, "Let her

help but admire Hera's calm demeanor amidst the danger. Nevertheless, letting her go wasn't

money?" Bruce

the IOU

her fingers

Catherine grabbed Hera's arm tightly to silently warn her

dollars in interest. The borrower's ID information was

the money using her ID

"Hands off!"

in, wielding a kitchen knife, with

seeing the machete at Hera's neck, Wayne's anger dissipated. Worried for her safety, he

hurt them! Here's

tossed the

weighed it, and threw

pocket change! Don't play a hero if you can't pay

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

police assistance in this remote location, fighting seemed