Chapter 3

Hilda saw Barron kneeling at my feet and didn't flinch. If anything, she saw it as solid proof of her excellent skills in "taming her man".

She even turned the camera on him and proudly boasted to the livestream viewers. "See that, guys? This is how you handle men!"

Another wave of flattery, like "Queen Hilda!" and "Teach us your ways!" flooded the livestream.

Satisfied, she swung the camera back to me. "Well, have you made up your mind?"

The corners of her lips curved in a mocking smile as she continued, "But now, it's not just 3,800 dollars anymore. You cost me business, ruined my mood, and made Barron kneel to you.

"You don't know how humiliated I feel. Everything should be considered in damages for emotional distress!"

She lifted a nicotine-stained finger, yellowed from years of smoking, and waved it in front of me. "Let's round it up to ten thousand dollars. Pay up, and today's matter ends here."

Ten thousand dollars?

I laughed in disbelief.

Mildred had had enough. Hiding behind my shoulder, she took out her phone and secretly tried to call the police. But when she unlocked her phone, she noticed there wasn't a single signal bar.

"Don't bother," Hilda said after noticing her actions. The mocking grin on her face widened.

"This place has had a signal jammer installed ages ago to prevent guests from skipping the bill after their meal and phoning backup to cause trouble.

"I turned it on when I noticed you trying to weasel out earlier." Her tone sounded matter-of-fact.

Looking at her smug, triumphant expression, I slowly said, "Fine. I'll pay the ten thousand dollars."

A victorious smile couldn't help but spread on Hilda's face when she heard me relent. "Smart choice."

I stared into her eyes and continued enunciating every word, "I can give you the money, but you're giving me a written receipt."

"A receipt?"

That caught her off guard before she blinked and burst out laughing. "Hah! Are you scared that I'd come asking for more money again?"

As she laughed heartily, her fans in the livestream joined in the mockery.

A sly glint flickered in her eyes before she continued, "Sure. I'll write it for you, but it won't be a receipt. I'll write a 'voluntary donation' agreement so you won't wave the paperwork around and ruin my farmhouse's reputation."

She darted into the house and came back with a pen and paper.

With nearly ten thousand viewers watching in the livestream, she hastily scribbled a so-called agreement.

"This serves as an agreement that Elden Huff willingly donates ten thousand dollars to Ms. Hilda Ross as payment for his Hilda's Farmhouse experience. With this payment settled, there are no further disputes or entanglements between the two parties."

When she was done, she slapped it on the table along with an ink pad.

"Sign. Thumbprint."

Without hesitation, I picked up the pen and signed my name at the end of the agreement. Then, I pressed my thumb hard into the ink pad and firmly stamped my fingerprint.

Satisfied, Hilda snatched up the agreement and blew on the ink, not even bothering to hide the greed and triumph on her face.

After holding it up to the camera, she instructed me, "Just signing isn't enough. Hold this up and verbally tell my viewers that you voluntarily gave me the ten thousand dollars.

"Also, sincerely apologize to me and all my fans for your dine-and-dash behavior today."

When I took that humiliating agreement, the livestream comments went rabid with excitement. Viewers filled the comment section with insulting, mocking remarks.

Everyone thought I would bow and apologize, until I said in a slow, calm voice, "I'll give you the money, but on one condition."