Karl said, "Candida, I''ve gotten used to seeing your life unfold every day after work. If you ever need money, just tell me. Whatever you want, I''ll buy it for you.


    Tomorrow, I''ll have my assistant increase the limit on your card by another ten thousand.


    There''s no need for you to work anymore. Let me take care of you, alright?”


    Back then, swept away by his sweet words, Candida still managed to stay somewhat clear-headed.


    "I don''t work for the money. I just really love ying the piano."


    But Karl pulled her into his arms and whispered, "Candida, could the piano ever be more important than me?"


    Of course, the piano wasn''t more important than Karl.


    In the end, Candida gave in.


    Now, as she caught Karl''s contemtive gaze, a chill crept over her, making her hands and feet go cold.


    Would he really go so far as to ruin her hands?


    As if reading her mind, Karl met her fearful eyes, a slow, self-satisfied smile curling at his lips.


    "Candida, you''re my woman. No matter what, I''d never hurt you."


    Candida wanted to ask if he thought he hadn''t hurt her enough already.


    Did he really believe only physical wounds counted as harm?


    But in the end, she swallowed her words.


    This was not the moment to provoke Karl any further.


    Karl nced at Ste, then turned to the bodyguards beside him. "Break her hands."


    His voice was icy and merciless, sending a chill down everyone''s spine.


    "No!" Candida immediately stepped in front of Ste. “Karl, you can''t do this! This is between us-Star has nothing to do with it. You can''t drag an innocent person into this!"


    Karl seemed to delight in watching her fall apart. He leaned back, wearing a rxed, almost amused smile.


    "Innocent? I don''t think so. If she hadn''t taken you in, you wouldn''t have had the nerve to stand up to me for so long. We''d have made up ages ago."


    Candida knew better than to mention his old me at a time like this.


    All she could say was, "You know


    how


    you hurt her, Mr. Bet


    ese Star is to Mr. Burton, I


    get away with it." Content.


    you


    Karl didn''t look the least bit concerned. "He''s my grandfather. Trust me, he knows where his priorities lie."


    If the old man found out first, he''d definitely try to stop Karl.


    So Karl had already decided to act first and deal with the falloutter, giving Ste no time to call for help.


    And what if his grandfather found out after the fact? What could he even do?


    Mr. Burton had already retired-he didn''t hold any real power anymore.


    Even if he did, would he really cast out his own grandson for the sake of an outsider?


    Today, Karl was determined to teach Candida a lesson she''d never forget.


    Otherwise, she''d always believe she had someone to lean on-and always try to leave him.


    As for Ste...


    He barely even registered her existence.


    Sherman and Sellers Burton had


    both fallen for her tricks, but that et


    was only because they carried too much baggage and were too cautious to go all the way.


    Karl wasn''t afraid of Ste.


    He looked back at the bodyguards.


    "What are you waiting for? Get on with it!"


    The two men hesitated only a second before moving toward Ste.


    Panic finally flickered across Candida''s face.


    "Karl, please, don''t touch Ste. I''ll go back with you!"


    Karl''s expression didn''t change. "Toote."


    Candida shielded Ste behind her, retreating step by step.


    "Karl." Tears shimmered in her eyes and her voice softened, pleading "Star has helped me so much. m begging you please, don''t hurt her. Please?"