[5]

I stared in disbelief at the three pieces of paper Maximilian Von Ziegler thrust in front of me. Ever since I first set foot in this magnificent building-which is far more futuristic and iconic-I had no idea that my arrival would end like this. My heart was beating wildly, getting more and more uncontrollable as my eyes couldn't take my eyes off the numbers.

“This... is impossible.” I finally managed to make a sound, though it sounded so weak and shaky. “You're blackmailing me?” I stared angrily at the man in front of me. “There's no way the repairs are this expensive.”

Maximilian just chuckled softly, as if enjoying my surprise. “You forget, Miss, my car is the latest Lamborghini. Limited edition. You can check it on the luxury car market and try to calculate the price yourself. The damage you caused may seem trivial, but that pole damaged my car's engine and dashboard quite badly.”

I gaped wide.

“Should I hold that power pole over there accountable?” He leaned back comfortably in his chair, then lit a cigarette from his coat pocket without caring that this room would be filled with toxic fumes. His sharp eyes were still watching me, waiting for my reaction with contrived patience.

I tightened my grip on my hand.

I knew this man was setting me up on purpose. He had designed everything well. It didn't make sense that the cost of repairing his car could reach this amount. I may not know much about the automotive world, but I know the difference between a reasonable price and a deliberate exaggeration.

But what could I do? I had no evidence to refute it.

I heard a rumor from one of the employees of the garage where the car was repaired. It was said that Maximilian had asked them to double the amount of the f*e. In fact, it wasn't just doubled, it was tripled! The head of the garage that handled the car even gave a suspicious glance, questioning the man's intentions. However, Maximilian only gave an answer that made me even more convinced that he had planned all of this.

“Catching whales requires a big lure.”

I didn't know who he meant by whales. But seeing how he treated me, I felt that I was the target he was after. I don't know for what purpose.

My eyes returned to staring at the rows of numbers on the paper with mixed feelings. Meanwhile, the man in front of me was still looking at me with a triumphant look. As if he knew I had no other choice.

“Do those details seem far-fetched, Miss?” He exhaled his cigarette smoke slowly. “You can check with the repair shop yourself. Sorry, Merry is my favorite car. I treat it very well. And if there's even the slightest scratch, I never hesitate to spend a lot of money.”

I snorted softly.

I didn't care how he treated his car. I didn't want to know that much.

Reluctantly, I put the sheet of paper back on the table. “Give me a deadline to collect all these listed expenses,” I said, trying my best to remain calm. I might not believe him, but I also had no evidence to refute him.

Maximilian raised one eyebrow, seemingly intrigued by my decision. “How long?”

I swallowed. I knew this would be difficult. I knew it wouldn't be easy. But I also knew I had to find a way out of this trap.

And for that, I needed time.

The woman seemed to think before finally opening her voice, her voice soft but firm. “Two weeks.”

I knew very well that there was no way that the distribution of the property listed on the divorce papers would go into my account immediately. The fact that I would have to think about my own survival after this was even more suffocating. Finding a job out there wasn't easy, especially with my current status.

Selling the family home? Seriously. That's not an option. I still had my wits about me and although it wasn't much, I had my skills. If only my problems with Maximilian Von Ziegler were over, I could start reorganizing my life.

“I only have half of the expenses,” I said, making sure there was no misunderstanding that could put me in the position of an irresponsible woman. I didn't want to be seen that way, especially by the man who was still casually enjoying the nicotine stick between his fingers. “I'll make the payment right now and send the proof to your number.”

Max just nodded, as if waiting for the reaction he expected from me. I knew this game. I know the look in his eyes that expects me to flinch, expects me to show fear like the others he's pushed before. But I won't give her that satisfaction.

However, underneath the calmness I displayed, my fingers trembled slightly as I picked up the cell phone. During my marriage to Roderick, not once did I touch his money. All my needs were met through the cards he provided, the choice of clothing and jewelry was the decision of Marguerite Langley, the woman who diligently bought me things I never even dreamed of owning.

And now, the only money left in my account is from selling the jewelry I accidentally brought along. The card Rick gave me? I left it in that room. I didn't want to touch it anymore.

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to drown out the rumbling in my chest. After everything that happened, after Rick's vicious accusation against me when Sebastian passed away, I vowed never to rely on anyone again. The pain of that accusation was far more painful than his cold demeanor that had become part of my daily life.

I took a deep breath, pressing the 'transfer' button without hesitation. If this was the price I had to pay to end all this, then so be it. I just needed to hold on a little longer.

When the successful transaction notification appeared on the screen, I quickly captured a screenshot as proof. “I've already done-”

“Alright, I give up!”

I gasped.

Max's voice sounded annoyed. He put out his cigarette rudely in the ashtray, then grabbed the sheet of document on the table only to crumple it and throw it on the floor.

“You win!”

I blinked, not understanding. “Won?”

He exhaled roughly. “You don't have to make any payments.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Wh-what does that mean?"

“I release you from responsibility for Merry,” he said, as if it were a trivial matter.

I froze.

This was strange. It made no sense. I was prepared for the consequences, but suddenly he was retracting his demands?

“But, sir...”

“In exchange, I want other responsibilities.”

His voice sounded dangerous. I didn't like that tone.

My brain was spinning fast, trying to understand the hidden meaning behind his words. However, before I could formulate a response, the expression on his face changed.

“From your expression... have you transferred to that account over there?”

I swallowed. Without hesitation, I nodded.

He massaged his forehead, expression thoughtful. “Um... what about it, huh? That money can't be returned easily it seems.”

I was flabbergasted.

“It means you chose to be trapped, Eva.”