Chapter 7

A sharp smack echoed through the air, and Susan's body flew backward, crashing to the ground with a heavy thud.

Everyone stood frozen, staring in shock. On the ground, Susan's face was marked with a glaring slap print, and blood dripped from the corner of her mouth.

Troy stepped forward, his presence overwhelming.

Susan's eyes widened in fear as she stammered, "Wh-what do you think you're doing?"

His large hand reached out, grabbing her by the neck. His voice was chillingly calm. "Who's shameless again? I'm giving you a chance to speak properly. Otherwise, your face won't be in one piece by the end of today."

Tears welled up in Susan's eyes as she trembled in fear. "I-I'm shameless. Please, d-don't hurt me."

She sobbed, her voice breaking. Never in her life had she been treated like this.

"Now you're starting to get it," Troy sneered, his tone cold. "Would've been better if you'd understood sooner, you shameless wench."

With that, he tossed her aside and walked over to Joanna before scanning the others with an indifferent glance. "Anyone else have something to say? Come on, speak up."

The silence was palpable.

Hannah, her expression twisted with anger, finally broke the stillness. "Ragnar, is this all you're good for? Bullying a bunch of women? Does hitting people make you proud?"

"No," Troy replied, shaking his head slightly. "You've got it wrong. I'm not proud of hitting people."

Hannah's anger flared. "Then why the smug look?"

Troy's lips curled into a smirk. "Because I'm not hitting people—I'm hitting a bunch of ungrateful, backstabbing wolves. Of course I'm proud."

"What…"

The group stood stunned, unable to find words. Their faces darkened, but no one dared to speak.

Hannah turned to Joanna, fury flashing in her eyes. "Joanna, you'd better keep your man in check! All he can do is throw punches! Is that really all he's good for?"

Joanna shot a cold look at the group, her voice calm but firm. "My man can do a lot more than you think. You just don't know him."

Hannah raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "What do you mean?"

Joanna's lips curled into a sly smile. "Nothing much. I just want to say—you all think you're so smart, but in reality, you're being foolish."

Hannah's frown deepened. "No matter how foolish we are, we're not as stupid as you. How can you stand to marry someone like him? Aren't you embarrassed?"

Joanna's cold laugh cut through the tension. "Hannah, do you think Troy is useless? If that were true, would I really marry him? You all are truly clueless! You have no idea who Troy really is. If you knew, your jaw would drop to the floor."

Troy raised an eyebrow, intrigued. She knew who he was now?

Hannah scoffed, dismissing Joanna's words. "That's some big talk, Joanna. Tell us, then. What does this Ragnar even have to offer? What does he do? I know Skeldon Group's not doing too well these days, is it? I heard your financial situation is a mess. You still owe over four hundred million in loans. If Ragnar truly is so capable, he should be able to help you, right?"

Joanna's face tightened—Hannah's words hit close to home. Skeldon Group was indeed teetering on the edge of collapse.

Troy, however, merely smiled and shrugged.

"Four hundred million? It's not that big of a deal." He took Joanna's hand, his grin widening. "Honey, don't worry about it. I'll take care of it. Also, I guarantee that within two weeks, I'll double Skeldon Group's market value. How about that?"

Joanna stared at him, her mind reeling. Did he just call her 'honey', and was now talking about doubling the company's worth?

For a moment, she was speechless, but then a slight blush crept onto her cheeks.

The women laughed loudly at the audacity of Troy's claim.

"You two are really putting on a show, huh? If you could actually help, would Joanna really be begging for loans? Besides, Skeldon Group may be struggling, but it's still worth about three billion. Doubling it to six billion? Haha! You've got to be joking."

Joanna glanced at Troy, feeling helpless. It was too big a bluff.

Just as she was about to speak, Troy, unfazed, took out a cigarette and lit it. He then blew out a puff of smoke as he looked at the group with a sly smile.

"Not buying it? Fine. Remember what you said today. If Skeldon Group's market value doubles in a month, you'll all have to grovel in the alley and apologize to me. Got it?"

Hannah and the others were taken aback, their expressions faltering.

The way Troy spoke... He sounded like he could pull it off.

And then there was the fact that Joanna was still willing to marry him. Doubt began to rise in their mind. Could Troy actually have something they didn't know?

If Troy was truly capable of doubling Skeldon Group's worth in a month, their decision to annul their engagement with him would be a stupid move.

Hannah's pulse quickened as she regarded him. Was he really that powerful?

Troy's voice cut through the air again. "What's the matter? No one's speaking up now? Don't want to take a bet?"

Hannah clenched her teeth, her voice cold. "Fine! But what if you fail?"

Troy's smirk never wavered. "Easy. I'll visit your homes, one by one, and grovel to apologize."

A bitter laugh escaped Hannah's lips. "You'd better not back out! You said it yourself. Everyone here can bear witness, and Joanna's here too! If you break your promise, you'll be a loser. And I want to add on a condition—if you lose, you and Joanna both need to grovel and apologize at each of our doors."

"Deal." Troy's reply was smooth and without hesitation.

Joanna, growing increasingly anxious, lowered her voice urgently. "Are you out of your mind? You're seriously making these kinds of bets?"

Troy just smiled, unfazed. "Trust me, honey."

"Stop that! Who said you could call me honey?" Joanna snapped, cheeks flushed with embarrassment and anger.

Troy chuckled, squeezing her hand as he turned to face the group. "You all can leave now. And remember what I said. Oh, and just so you know—I'm the one who's dumping you. Now, scram!"

Susan and Hannah were seething with rage, and the other heiresses wore complicated looks on their faces.

Hannah shot a final, venomous look at Troy. "We'll see about that, Ragnar! And don't think this is over. I'll deal with you for hitting me!"

The group stormed off, leaving the courtyard in tense silence.

The neighbors, who had been watching the entire scene, were left speechless. Initially, they had mocked Troy for being rejected, but now they saw a beautiful woman like Joanna actually willing to marry him and join the Ragnars as their daughter-in-law. They were all feeling a little jealous now.

Quietly, the neighbors began to leave, one by one.

The only person left was Fiona Larson, who had mocked them earlier.

Fiona's fake laugh broke the silence. "So Troy, this is your fiancée, huh? Wow, she's absolutely gorgeous!"

Troy turned and met her eyes, his tone indifferent. "What is it, Fiona?"

Fiona wiped her sleeve, forcing a smile. "My son's still single. Do you think you could ask your fiancée to introduce him to someone?"

Joanna raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. Her friends and close circles were all from prominent families, and Fiona wanted her to play matchmaker?

Troy glanced at Fiona, his lips curling into a slight grin. "I remember you've been mocking us earlier, haven't you?"

Fiona froze, her smile faltering. "O-Oh, Troy… That was just a joke. Don't take it seriously."

"A joke?" Troy repeated with a smirk. "Your son has no money and no skills, and you want my fiancée to set him up with someone? Her friends would never be interested, so you can forget about it."

Fiona's face turned crimson with embarrassment and fury. "How can you say that?"

Troy chuckled. "I always speak my mind. If you don't like it, feel free to leave. I find you pretty annoying."

Fiona's face twisted with rage. "Y-You're so rude! Just wait—I'll tell my son about this later!"

She stormed off, furious, her steps quick and unsteady.

Troy called after her, "Take care!"

With the courtyard now empty, May and Gordon exchanged smiles, their eyes warm as they looked at Joanna.

May's voice was kind. "Sweetheart, I made meat stew. Why don't you stay for a little while? They'll be ready soon."

Joanna hesitated, then forced a smile.

"Mrs. Ragnar, I can't stay. I have something to take care of." She turned to Troy. "Troy, come with me. I need to talk to you."

Troy blinked in surprise. "Honey, can't we talk here while we eat?"

Joanna exhaled sharply, her temper flaring. "If I say we're leaving, then we're leaving!"

She shot one last warm smile at May and Gordon, then turned on her heel, heading for the door.

Troy followed her, a little confused, as she led the way down the alley and toward a red Ferrari parked on the side of the road.

She shot him a cold glance. "Get in."

Troy sighed, frustrated. What was with her mood today?

He slipped into the car, and before he could say anything, Joanna slammed her foot on the gas, sending the Ferrari flying down the road.

Troy reclined in the seat and closed his eyes as he tried to make sense of what was going on with her.

Suddenly, the car screeched to a halt. The tires burned against the pavement, sending up clouds of smoke.

Troy barely had time to react before he saw Joanna, her face as pale as a ghost, clutching her chest, gasping for breath. She was clearly in pain.

Troy's heart dropped.

"What's wrong?" he asked, panic creeping into his voice.