“I’m done playing games with you. Since you’ve decided to show up again, it’s time we settle everything from the past,” Vincent said, his voice low and filled with a cold resolve. His eyes sliced through the air, sharp and unforgiving, exposing any falsehoods.

Dalton flinched, unable to hold himself back.

Sophia’s eyes widened with fear, and she instinctively took a step back, clearly unsettled by Vincent’s cold presence. “Mr. Adams, I honestly don’t understand. Have I done something to upset you in the past?”

Katelyn observed every shift in Sophia’s face, seeing the brief flicker of panic and confusion as if Vincent’s mere presence had her on edge. Katelyn had always trusted that eyes told the truth, and strangely, Sophia’s expression seemed completely sincere.

Vincent’s stare was deep, almost searching. “You’re still refusing to tell the truth. Maybe a visit to the basement will help you remember who you are,” Vincent said, his words carrying an unsettling weight, pushing Sophia further into a corner.

He knew all too well how brutal the punishments in the basement could be. Even a seemingly ordinary whip was lined with iron barbs on its surface and could strip the flesh from a person’s body in the blink of an eye. He had climbed to the peak of the corporate world not just through cunning business strategies, but by employing dark, unspeakable means when he had to.

Sophia’s face turned pale, and her whole body shook with fear.

Katelyn’s eyes were filled with many thoughts as she lightly pulled on Vincent’s sleeve, aware of the growing attention from the crowd around them. This was a corporate gala, after all, and they were surrounded by eyes that seemed to be everywhere. Even the smallest thing could quickly become the center of attention and spark a ripple of gossip.

Sophia bit her lower lip, her body trembling with disbelief as she stared at Vincent. “Mr. Adams, I don’t understand what you’re trying to do. Have I offended you in some way? Why are you treating me like this?”

? : ν﹒

Dalton, feeling the weight of the moment, stepped forward, trying to diffuse the tension. “Mr. Adams, it seems there’s been some misunderstanding. Whatever issue you have, it’s with someone else. I can assure you that this is Miss Marshall, not whoever you believe she is.”

Vincent’s eyes slowly narrowed, his expression hardening. A cold intent flickered in his gaze, sending a chill through Dalton. “Is that so?”

Tears began to fill Sophia’s eyes, and she instinctively raised her hand to cover her trembling lips. “I admired you, which is why I took the chance to approach you. I never imagined I’d be treated this way. I’m so disappointed in you. You don’t deserve to be my idol.”

With her vision blurred by tears, Sophia turned away and walked off.

Katelyn’s face held a mixture of emotions, hard to read. Vincent? Her idol? Was this supposed to be some kind of judgment on his business skills?

Dalton watched as Sophia walked away, tears brimming in her eyes.

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