?Chapter 143:


    Elena nodded, her hands pping lightly. “Absolutely brilliant.”


    “You—” Javier had a feeling something was wrong. Was she making fun of him? He couldn’t fully figure it out, but since he couldn’t find any clear reason to me her, he simply let out a dismissive huff. “I don’t need you to tell me.”


    “Why are you huffing?” Vince couldn’t stand it any longer. He grabbed a solid wood paperweight and swung it at Javier’s back, saying, “I’m going to teach you a lesson today! For stealing!”


    Thwack! The wood paperweight connected solidly with Javier’s back.


    “Ouch!” The force of the impact caused Javier to bend over in agony.


    Driven by anger, Vince mmed into Javier with all his strength. Thud! The paperweight repeatedly pounded against Javier’s body, and soon, his skin was torn and began to bleed.


    Witnessing the severity of the beating, Jeffry finally intervened. “Vince, please, calm down. Javier is still young. What he needs is guidance. If you continue like this, you’ll truly break him.”


    Vince threw the paperweight away. “You will kneel here and think over what you’ve done, Javier. You do not move until I say.”


    Jeffry and Vince then left the study together.


    At the doorway, Elena overheard Vince ordering the maids not to provide any food for Javier. It was clear Vince was determined to teach him a lesson.


    When Javier saw that Elena hadn’t left yet, he snapped, “Haven’t you seen enough?”


    Javier wore a white hoodie, with red marks beginning to show on his back. There was no doubt his back was in terrible condition. Even so, he kept his kneeling position stiffly, pretending to be unaffected, determined not to show any weakness.


    “I haven’t seen enough,” Elena said casually, her face expressionless.


    Angry, Javier shifted and tugged at his injuries, causing him to gasp as sweat formed on his forehead. After regainingposure, he clenched his teeth and said, “Elena, you heartless creature!” Even though he was in pain, she still provoked him. Such cruelty! He knew it—she was malicious!


    Elena abruptly shifted the topic. “So, why did you sell the paintings?”


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    Javier paused briefly before answering, “What does it matter to you?”


    Elena pulled up a chair and positioned it directly in front of him. She sat down in a way that made it seem as though Javier was kneeling in submission before her.


    Javier’s anger red. “Elena! Get out of here! Who gave you permission to sit here?”


    Elena arched an eyebrow. “What does it matter to you? I’ll sit wherever I please.”


    Javier fumed with anger but was unable to stop her. His breath came in heavy gasps, and his face twisted with rage.


    Though Javier didn’t say it, Elena already understood the situation perfectly. She had recently inspected his bank card and discovered it waspletely maxed out. He had made extravagant purchases of women’s apparel and jewelry, items of no use to him. Had he been buying gifts for Samira, his spending would have been noticed much earlier. The only other exnation, if not a girlfriend, must be Elyse.


    Considering Javier’s obviousck of sophistication, Elena assumed he probably didn’t have a girlfriend.


    Amused by his ring foolishness, Elena decided it was time for a lesson. She gestured with a flick of her finger and said, “Come over here. I have something to tell you.”


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