"This is the result of Wenshte Group's year-long hard work, the fruits of relentless effort from my and Lambert's research team. How dare you try to take it all away with just one sentence?" Tiffany protested indignantly, leaning out from behind Lambert to glare at Mia.
"Because I am Mia," she replied, her words instantly silencing the room.
"If you don't comply, 20% of Wenshte Group's operations will shut down. The choice is yours." A cold, breathtaking smile graced her lips, as mesmerizing as a masterpiece.
Without giving anyone a chance to react, Mia, supported by her subordinates and under the envious gazes of the crowd, exited the hotel lobby.
Tiffany had been utterly humiliated. The whispers and mocking stares were enough to crush her.
"Lambert," Tiffany called out, expecting him to stay by her side—or at least escort her out safely. But he didn't.
Instead, he followed Mia out, leaving her alone to face the crowd's scorn. Even Mr. Louis, who had once supported her, dared not speak up now. He slipped away from the stage and disappeared into the crowd.
By the time Lambert rushed to the hotel entrance, a Ferrari was already speeding away, leaving only exhaust fumes behind.
He assumed it was Mia's car, unaware that she was actually sitting in a Rolls-Royce under a nearby tree, watching him play the role of a lovesick fool. She heard him call her name as he ran out, clear as day.
Did he really think a few hollow words could erase his past betrayals? Wishful thinking.
"CEO, should I handle the nuisance for you?" Gene, her assistant, handed her a glass of warm water and posed the question.
Mia shook her head. "Physical suffering is too lenient—and it wouldn't even faze him."
Having lived with Lambert for so long, she knew him better than anyone. His most prized possession was Wenshte Group. He had faked a disability and endured years of hardship just to secure his position as chairman and CEO. What she wanted was to bankrupt Wenshte Group and destroy what mattered most to him.
"Shall we head back now, CEO?" Gene glanced at the darkening sky—a storm was brewing.
"Not yet. I'm waiting for someone." Mia answered leisurely, rolling down the window as a chilly wind swept in.
About half an hour later, the wind howled, signaling an impending downpour. The area had emptied out by the time Tiffany finally emerged from the hotel, disheveled and shivering in the wind as she made a phone call.
"Gene, bring her to the car. Head to the outskirts." Mia's gaze fixed on Tiffany, her eyes burning with hatred.
"Yes, CEO." Gene obeyed, stepping out of the car with two subordinates. They approached Tiffany, clamped a hand over her mouth, and dragged her into another vehicle.
"Where are you taking me? I'm Lambert's girlfriend! If you harm me, he'll make you pay!" Inside the car, Tiffany struggled against the two men restraining her, panic-stricken.
"You're Mia's people, aren't you? Tell her that if she ever wants to see William again, she'd better let me go! William doesn't recognize her—no matter how capable she is, she's still a nameless bastard!"
Slap! A sharp blow landed on Tiffany's face, drawing blood from her lip. She whimpered softly, tears streaming.
They took her to a deserted area in the suburbs and threw her out of the car. As soon as she staggered to her feet, a bucket of icy water drenched her from head to toe. Already thinly dressed, she now felt as if she were submerged in freezing water, the cold seeping into her bones.
"Lambert will never forgive you for this! Mia, you'll die a wretched death!" Tiffany spotted the parked car ahead, knowing Mia was inside. She screamed curses, trying to provoke her.
The car door opened slowly. Mia stepped out gracefully, a glass of red wine in hand. She walked up to Tiffany and splashed the wine in her face.
"'Frustrated at work, getting drunk in bars late at night, and hanging out with men in the wild.' If such a scandal were reported, it would be enough to cover up all the glory around you." Mia had just finished speaking when two half-drunk men appeared from behind her. They were fat, had big ears, and had a mouth full of yellow teeth, and were disgusting to look at.
"Mia, what are you doing?!" Tiffany's eyes widened in terror as she tried to break free.
But Gene gripped her chin and forced a bottle of water down her throat.
Within minutes, Tiffany's body burned with fever. Pushed into the arms of one of the men, the cold touch against her skin felt strangely soothing.
"No, Mia, you can't do this to me!" Her desperate plea was cut short as the man covered her mouth.
Dragged into the bushes, her dress torn to shreds, Gene captured every humiliating moment with his camera.
"Mia, just kill me!" Tiffany's voice came out as a sultry moan, betraying her body's betrayal.
"Get rid of them," Mia ordered. Her subordinates yanked the men away from Tiffany.
No actual violation had occurred—the men had merely posed over her for the photos.
Tiffany writhed on the ground, curling into herself as if flames licked her insides and ants crawled beneath her skin. She needed release—or she'd go mad.
Crawling weakly toward Gene, she managed to grab his pant leg, only to be kicked away mercilessly.
Mia had drugged her, stoked her desire with those men, then abruptly stopped—leaving her in agonizing torment. It was cruel beyond words.
"Gene, spread the news of Tiffany's disappearance. Make sure Lambert hears it," Mia commanded coldly. She crouched beside Tiffany, picked up her fallen phone, and tossed it into the river.
"This is just the beginning. From now on, if you disobey me, these scandalous photos will be leaked instantly. Let's see if your beloved Lambert comes to your rescue."
"No...Don't leave me here…"
Tiffany's consciousness wavered, barely comprehending Mia's words. She could only watch helplessly as Mia and her entourage drove off, vanishing into the distance.
The torment was unbearable—worse than anything she'd ever endured. If there had been a knife nearby, she would have slit her wrists without hesitation.