Chapter 142

"Get her!" The one-eyed man narrowed his cold gaze and signaled to the burly thug beside him.

The six-foot-tall brute swung his fist at Evelyn with a vicious grin.

Ten seconds later, he crashed heavily onto the floor in front of his companions with a dull thud.

"Useless!" The one-eyed man spat. "All of you, attack!"

The private room soon echoed with agonized groans. Within five minutes, over a dozen enforcers lay sprawled across the floor. Hostesses screamed and fled in panic as the crystal chandelier swayed precariously from the brawl.

Evelyn helped Sophia straighten her disheveled clothes. Just as they reached the exit, Lina blocked their path with a group of security guards.

"Miss," Lina's red lips curved, though her eyes remained icy. "You can't just walk out after assaulting my patrons."

"What do you want?"

"Leave behind a finger." She twirled a fruit knife in her hand. "Or else—"

Evelyn scoffed. "You think you can stop me?"

From inside the room, the one-eyed man roared, "Lina Xu! Let her escape today, and I'll burn this place to the ground tomorrow!"

Lina's face paled. The one-eyed man was infamous in the underworld—a rabid dog with endless grudges.

"Seize her!" she barked.

As the guards advanced, a voice colder than steel cut through the air.

"Touch her, and you die."

Everyone turned. Ethan stood at the end of the hallway like an avenging deity. The hem of his black trench coat flared with each step, his presence crushing the air from their lungs.

Lina rushed forward, flustered. "Mr. Sullivan, this is just a misunder—"

Before she could finish, a bodyguard kicked her aside. She slammed into the wall with a gasp.

"Mr. Sullivan..." She curled into herself, wincing. "Please let me explain—"

Ethan ignored her. His hawk-like gaze locked onto Evelyn. "Come here."

Evelyn pressed her lips together, steadying Sophia as they approached. "She needs a hospital."

"Mm."

As she turned, the one-eyed man charged out, bellowing, "Ethan Sullivan! I paid five million for that woman!"

Ethan's eyes darkened. "Name your price."

"F-four million!" The man faltered under Evelyn's glare.

Suddenly, Evelyn released Sophia and strode toward him.

"Stay back!" he shrieked, scrambling away.

Crack!

A scream tore through the air as Evelyn twisted his wrist. "Six million. The extra million buys your hand."

In the hospital corridor, Sophia finally broke down, sobbing. Evelyn gently rubbed her trembling back, fingers brushing damp tear tracks.

"It's over."

Sophia buried her face into Evelyn's shoulder, tears soaking through the fabric. The emergency lights flickered in the distance, casting their intertwined shadows against the wall.