Elena''s threats meant nothing to Lucas. He let out a coldugh. "And what exactly is going to happen to me? Do you think anyone wille for you? Julian, that spineless coward? Or Mr. Simpson from Hastings Group?"


    A hint of mockery flickered across his lips. His expression was cruel, and his entire presence radiated menace.


    Elena was terrified. She mustered all her strength to shove him away and bolted for the door.


    But before she could even make it halfway, two bodyguards emerged out of nowhere and seized her, locking her in ce with an iron grip.


    "Let me go! Let me go!" she shrieked, struggling with all her might. But the men restraining her overpowered her effortlessly.


    "Lucas, what do you want? Just say it! Whatever it is, I''ll agree to it! I''ll do anything you ask!" Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded in a voice trembling with desperation.


    But Lucas remained unmoved. He gave a subtle nod to the man beside him. A swift, precise strikended on the back of her neck, and her vision went ck.


    When she woke up again, she found herself on a rooftoppletely bound. Thick ropes secured her body to a pir in the center of the rooftop.


    Not far ahead, Lucas sat casually on a chair with one leg crossed over the other as he savored a ss of red wine.


    "What do you want from me?" Elena cried, on the verge of breaking down. "Just tell me! I swear I''ll never do it again. Whatever it is, I''ll stop! Please, stop tormenting me!"


    "I heard that you''ve been going around telling people how close you are to Serena, even spilling details about her background," Lucas murmured while swirling the wine in his ss, his toneced with amusement.


    His voice lifted slightly at the end, but the effect sent shivers down Elena''s spine. She stammered, her whole body trembling, "A-Are you here because of Serena?" "No shit." Lucas scoffed, setting his ss down before arching a brow at the two bodyguards beside him. "I still haven''t heard the answer I want."


    Without hesitation, the two men strode forward, yanked her from the pir, and dragged her closer to the edge of the rooftop.


    As the gap between her and the ledge narrowed, panic seized her. She let out a piercing scream. "Help! Someone''s trying to kill me!"


    But the wind howled violently across the rooftop, muting her voice. No one could hear her.


    "Mr. Schneider, please! I swear I''ve learned my lesson! I won''t ever go after Serena again! I''ll apologize toz her! It was my fault. I was wrong. admit it! It was a moment of e madness. I wanted to get back at her, but I swear I''ll never do it again. Please, spare me!"


    She pleaded desperately in a tone filled with urgency as if even the slightest pause would result in her being pushed off the building.


    Lucas tilted his head, and his voice dripped with mockery. "Is that really what you think? I''ve always believed omeone like you wouldn''t shed a tear until you see the coffin."


    61°


    "I swear I know I was wrong!" Elena''s voice cracked with fear. She didn''t dare look down. They were over 50 stories high. If she fell, even ber body wouldn''t remain intact.


    "I''ll never go against Serena again. If I see her, I''ll turn the other way. Please...


    just let me go."