Chapter 3

I pointed at the two empty rows on the wine cabinet.

"You guys really know how to pick. These bottles were ones I bought at a European auction for eighty million dollars. If you can't pay up today, I'm sending you all to prison!"

Seeing this, Joey's drunk friends instantly sobered up.

They waved their hands frantically, trying to distance themselves.

"This has nothing to do with me! Joey said to treat this place like our own home and invited us to hang out!"

"We didn't touch those cars either. I have video proof. Joey did it all by himself. He lied and told us he was the heir to the Jones family fortune, and said the Jones family wouldn't care about this small amount of money!"

Before he could finish, Joey punched him.

"You bastards, you're selling me out?"

Several of them got into a brawl until a police officer shouted them to a stop.

Perhaps realizing things couldn't be salvaged, Joey knelt before me with a black eye.

"William, I'm sorry. I know I was wrong."

"Could you please, for my dad's sake, let me off just this once?"

I said nothing.

Since childhood, Joey had always competed with me.

Competing over grades, over the number of awards.

Later in college, it became about stealing everything from me.

Stealing gifts, stealing recommendation spots—I didn't care about any of that.

Even on my wedding day, when he drove off with my luxury car and my bride, I didn't really do anything to him.

But now, all the resentment accumulated over the years finally erupted.

This time, I absolutely wouldn't let him off!

"Can't pay? Then I'll contact my lawyer to file a lawsuit."

"The sports cars and wines are worth over a hundred million. Looks like you'll be spending the next twenty years in prison."

I patted his shoulder, my tone light and airy.

Watching his face turn deathly pale, I felt immensely satisfied.

At the same time, Mia had already rushed to the villa.

When she saw Joey's black eyes, she pushed me hard without asking any questions.

"William, you actually hit someone in broad daylight? Do you have any respect for the law?"

"The law? This is my house. He broke in, smashed my cars and wine, and now in front of the police, who's the one without legal awareness?"

Mia was stunned.

At this moment, Joey grabbed her clothes like a drowning man clutching at straws.

"Mia, I really didn't mean it. I just wanted to show my friends around, but William not only wants to sue me, he wants me to go to prison for twenty years. Please save me!"

Hearing this, Mia looked at me again, her tone no longer as harsh as before.

"Joey's just a bit playful. These material possessions—we can just buy more. Why make such a big deal out of it?"

"Fine. You compensate for all the damages at market value, and I'll let him go."

Meeting my gaze, Mia hesitated for only a second before gritting her teeth and agreeing.

"I'll pay."

With her commitment, the police left after having both parties sign documents, citing private mediation.

I instructed my assistant, who'd arrived late.

"Renovate the entire villa from top to bottom. As for the compensation, once the lawyer determines the total amount, transfer it directly from Carter Group's accounts. If that's not enough, liquidate company shares until it's covered."