"That''s right. You need to get down on your knees and apologize to me right now, and maybe I''ll forgive you," Ruby sneered, stepping forward with her hands on her hips. Her re was filled with malice. "Dad, this little slut is the reason Zane broke up with me!"


    Ivan patted Ruby''s hand reassuringly, giving her a look of fatherly indulgence. "Don''t worry. As long as I''m here, no one can walk all over you."


    Then, his eyesnded on Natalie. "Listen, girl, I don''t care what your rtionship with Zane is or what family youe from. But you better know your ce when you''re standing before me, a Sinir. Otherwise, I can''t guarantee you''ll walk away from this unscathed."


    Before Natalie could respond, a deep, authoritative voice cut through the air. "What exactly are you nning to do to my people, Mr. Sinir?"


    Marcus stepped out of Goodwill Pharmacy, his tall frame moving with effortless dominance. In just a few strides, he closed the distance and stood at Natalie''s side.


    The moment Ivan saw him, his expression shifted.


    "Mr. Holden! So this youngdy is with you?" Ivan immediately forced a smile. "Ah, what a misunderstanding! A case of friendly fire—our own people failing to recognize each other."


    Marcus'' cold gaze swept over the Sinir bodyguards standing near the car. At just that look, they instinctively backed away several steps.


    He reached for the car door and held it open. "Get in."


    "No need."


    Natalie pressed the door shut with one hand. Her expression remained impassive as she looked at Ivan and Ruby. "Even if you hadn''te looking for me, I would''vee to find you."


    She turned to Marcus and said, "This is between me and the Sinirs. There''s no need for you to step in."


    Marcus saw the clear rejection in her eyes. He didn''t push further but didn''t leave either.


    "Mr. Holden," Elijah approached, his voice eager, "if Ms. Walker needs someone to throw a few punches, I''m happy to do the honors."


    Marcus shot him a cold look. "Go inside."


    "But, Mr. Holden-"


    "She made it clear this is her issue. You still don''t get it?"


    Elijah blinked, clearly confused as to why Marcus was suddenly annoyed. He hesitated, trying to figure out what he''d done wrong.


    "Now." Marcus'' tone turned even icier.


    "Yes, sir!" Elijah didn''t dare argue further. He turned and darted back into Goodwill Pharmacy.


    Ivan was still studying Natalie with interest. His smile was calcting. "So, Mr. Holden, what exactly is your rtionship with this youngdy?"


    "None," Natalie answered before Marcus could. "Now, has your daughter paid for the damages she caused at Goodwill Pharmacy?"


    Ivan raised an eyebrow. "Not yet."


    "Then let''s get that settled. If she hasn''t paid, you, her father, can do it."


    Natalie''s voice was calm but firm. "Everything in Goodwill Pharmacy has value, and your daughter came in here like she owned the ce, smashing things left and right. If you want to discusspensation, we''ll start from the moment she stepped inside."


    She nced toward the Goodwill Pharmacy staff. Immediately, one of them stepped forward with a long receipt.


    "Here''s the list, Natalie," the staff member said respectfully.


    "Call Zane out here."


    "Yes, Natalie."


    A momentter, Zane stepped out, took one look at Ruby and Ivan, and blurted, "What the hell? Ruby, are you out of your damn mind? I already told you we''re done, and now you bring your dad into this?"


    "He''s my dad!" Ruby snapped. "Zane, are you doing this on purpose?"


    Natalie took a step forward and pped the bill against Ruby''s face. "Pay up. And while we''re at it, let''s talk about you calling me a homewrecking slut."


    "You-" Natalie turned to Zane.


    Zane shook his head so hard it was almostical. "Natalie, I swear on my life, I have never looked at you that way! You know exactly what kind of guy I am. You are way out of my league. I wouldn''t dare."


    Then he spun toward Ruby. "Ruby, don''t go making up crap! If you wanna insult me, fine. But don''t act like I ever had a shot with Natalie. A guy like me? The best I could get was you!"


    Natalie fell silent.


    Ruby stomped her foot in fury. "Zane, what the hell are you saying?"


    Zane smirked. "I''m telling the truth. My mom must''ve been blind, forcing me to


    date a girl like you. That''s the worst mistake of my life."


    "That''s enough," Natalie cut in. "Ms. Ruby, pay up."


    Ruby scoffed. "Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?"


    "So you''re nning to weasel your way out of this?"


    Ivan reached for the bill. His eyes flicked to the total about 56 million dors.


    His expression darkened. "Are you kidding me? Why don''t you just rob a bank instead? I''d like to see what Ruby did."


    "You''re wee to inspect what your daughter destroyed," Natalie said coolly. "Step inside and take a look."


    She turned and walked into Goodwill Pharmacy.


    Zane followed.


    After a pause, so did Marcus.


    Goodwill Pharmacy had already closed for the night. The staff had cleaned up some of the mess, but


    nothing had been thrown away.


    Everything Ruby had broken was still


    there, neatly collected.


    "Liam," Natalie called. "Walk Mr. Sinir through the damages. We wouldn''t want


    him thinking we''re scamming him."


    "Yes, Ms. Walker."


    Liam stepped forward, picking up a shattered piece of ceramic. "This vase was a 221 BC artifact. Ms. Walker won it at auction for eight million dors.


    "This wooden box is made of camphorwood—not that expensive, just about two thousand dors. But what was inside it were Heart Pills.


    "You should be familiar with those, Mr. Sinir. Goodwill Pharmacy sells them at 20 thousand dors per pitt-limited supply. The market price? 50 thousand dors a pop.


    "But we''re fair. Our price is our price."


    IMS


    Before Ivan could protest, Liam picked up a small bundle of dried nts.


    "This is a millennium emberbloom from the peaks of the Rockies. Extremely rare. We waited a hundred


    years to get our hands on it. And your daughter destroyed it. If we were being reasonable, we''d ask for a hundred million dors in damages.


    "But since our boss is merciful, we''re only asking for 40 million dors."


    Ivan swayed slightly on his feet. His eyes locked onto the ruined emberbloom, his face full of disbelief.


    "You expect me to pay 40 million dors for that worthless thing?"


    "If you refuse," Natalie said tly, "we''ll call the authorities. Liam, dial them up."


    "Yes, Ms. Walker."


    "Wait." Ivan took a deep breath. His gaze shifted to Ruby, filled with barely concealed rage.


    She shrank back, lowering her head in silence.


    "Fine. I want to speak to the person in charge here."


    "Are you suggesting we made all this up?" Natalie tilted her head.


    "If you don''t believe your daughter did this, let''s check the security footage."


    She gave Liam a look. He immediately turned theputer screen toward Ivan and yed the recording.


    The footage showed Ruby storming in, screaming, smashing things left and right.


    Then it showed her lunging at Natalie, only to be stopped by Marcus before getting knocked t on her ass.


    Ivan''s face turned an ugly shade of red.


    "Well?" Natalie asked, her tone cool. "Are you paying up? Or do you still think I


    owe her an apology?"