Chapter 3

I wasn't just uninterested in Cohen. I was going to go back and report him to Ruben so he could properly punish this idiot.

I didn't want to waste another second dealing with this toxic pair, so I turned to leave.

However, Kate suddenly reached out and snatched the bag I had just bought. "Bitch, you can leave, but the bag stays!"

Oh, so she was just going to rob me in broad daylight?

I grabbed her arm hard. She let out a sharp scream, and her grip loosened. The bag slipped back into my hand.

"Nobody has ever taken what's mine before. People have only taken things I chose to throw away!"

Tears welled up in Kate's eyes as she turned to Cohen. "Mr. Campbell, this bitch is humiliating me. You have to stand up for me—"

Before she could finish, I slapped her across the face. "If I hear you call me a bitch one more time, I'll tear your mouth apart!"

Some people would never learn unless they were taught the hard way.

Kate froze in shock, then immediately hid behind Cohen. Tears poured down her face like a broken faucet.

Feeling for her, Cohen pulled her into his arms. He glared at me and yelled, "How dare you slap my woman? I'm going to teach you a lesson today."

He turned to his bodyguards and ordered, "Get her. Take this crazy woman down."

I was skilled, but even I couldn't take on that many at once. It didn't take long before they restrained me.

Seizing the chance, Kate stepped forward and slapped me twice.

My cheek burned instantly, and blood trickled from the corner of my mouth.

While flexing her wrist, she said, "Bitch! That was for the slap you gave me. I'm paying you back 100 times over."

The crowd looked at me with pity.

"If she takes 100 slaps, her face is going to be ruined."

"What a shame. Such a gorgeous woman, and she's about to be turned into a total eyesore."

"We warned her not to cross Ms. Barnes, but she wouldn't listen. She's getting exactly what she deserves now."

If I didn't surrender now, this crazy woman might really destroy my face. I quickly said, "Fine, I'll give you the bag. Take it. I don't want it anymore."

Kate slapped me again. "Too late! At this point, one measly bag isn't even close to settling the score!"

I swallowed the pain and said, "I'll pay you. I'll give you whatever you want. Just let me go!"

Kate made an outrageous demand. "Alright then. If you can cough up 100 million dollars, I'll let you go today."

I answered immediately, "Okay. I'll call someone to get the money here right now."

Cohen let out a sneer. "You really can lie without blinking, huh? There are only a handful of people in Klistead who can produce 100 million dollars in cash. Stop pretending!"

I forced myself to stay calm and replied, "Ten minutes. If the money doesn't arrive in ten minutes, do whatever you want with me."

"Fine. Ten minutes it is."

Kate started a timer on her phone and looked at the crowd. "Everyone heard her. If the money doesn't show up in ten minutes, I'll strip her here and let everyone have a good look."

The crowd cheered and jeered as the countdown began.

Amidst the jeers and heckling of the crowd, I finally managed to snatch my phone back and frantically dialed my dad's number.

"Bella, how did it go? Are you happy with the date?"

The moment I heard his voice, my eyes burned. I choked out, "Dad, I got slapped…"

"What? Who had the nerve to touch you? Do they have a death wish?"

I quickly summarized everything that had happened.

"Dad, she said if she doesn't see 100 million dollars in ten minutes, she's going to ruin my face and strip me in front of everyone."

Dad's rage erupted through the phone. "This is outrageous! Bella, stay there. I'm sending people there right now!"

After I hung up, the weight on my chest finally eased. Once Dad's people arrived, I'd be safe.

Kate stared at her phone as the countdown ticked down. When only ten seconds remained, she swept her eyes over me. Her gaze was dripping with mockery.

"Time's almost up. You might as well strip yourself and save me the trouble."

The moment she finished speaking, dozens of trucks came to a halt right at the mall's entrance.

The lead driver stepped out and shouted, "100 million dollars in cash has been delivered."