[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322724E0B-554":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},554,16,"Chapter 16: The Wet Stain on Italian Wool","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Two bodyguards pinned Olivia Hayes with effortless precision. No matter how much she kicked or thrashed, she remained a statue in their grip, utterly powerless.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lawson Price ignored her screeching. He watched the tip of the dagger glow a searing, cherry-red in the open flame, then turned his back on her. He stepped toward Damon Meyer, who was hovering on the brink of blacking out from the agony.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lawson’s gaze settled on the inner side of Damon’s left forearm.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mr. Meyer, you borrowed our young master’s skin without permission. Today, it’s time to pay it back.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before anyone could react, the blade fell.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Agh!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damon’s neck corded with pulsing veins, his body convulsing violently, yet he was pinned too tightly to move. He could feel the blistering, white-hot metal parting his skin, peeling the layers away.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lawson’s hand was steady, surgical. In moments, the patch of skin—the one that had once belonged to Ethan Spencer, along with a bit of Damon’s own tissue—was carved away in one clean motion.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damon couldn't even manage a coherent scream; only shattered, wheezing gasps escaped his throat. Cold sweat soaked his dress shirt, turning it translucent against his skin.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lawson adjusted his glasses, his tone remaining clinical and icy. \"What was done today is merely a fair exchange. The Spencer family doesn’t leave bad debts, nor do we charge interest, but every cent must be paid in full.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He loomed over the man collapsed on the floor, looking down with cold indifference. \"Mr. Meyer, the debt on your arm is settled.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lawson paused, his eyes narrowing. \"But there is one more bill to collect.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damon’s dilated pupils constricted at the words. He stared up at Lawson, paralyzed by a fresh wave of terror.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Our young master’s sense of smell and taste were destroyed in the fire you ignited.\" Lawson tipped the blade, catching the light as he brought it toward Damon’s face. \"Tell me, how should we settle that debt?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The steel glinted against Damon’s nose.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m thinking I’ll take your nose... and this tongue that’s tasted so many fine things, and cut them out. You can experience the same loss he did. Does that sound fair?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No! No, please!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damon’s face turned the color of ash. He scrambled backward, clawing at the floorboards, consumed by a primal, soul-crushing fear. \"You can’t do this! Ethan, tell them to stop!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m the sole heir to the Meyer estate! If you lay a hand on me, the Meyer family will make sure the Spencers never know another day of peace. My father won't let you get away with this—none of you will survive this!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was incoherent, screaming, his voice cracking and trembling like a broken reed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lawson’s lip curled. He pressed the razor-sharp tip against the bridge of Damon’s nose. Damon felt his blood freeze, his skin crawling as if ice water were being poured over his heart.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mr. Meyer, you clearly haven't grasped the reality of your situation,\" Lawson said softly. \"Your father won’t let the entire Meyer family go to the grave just to cover for your stupidity.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lawson’s gaze hardened, his wrist tightening as he prepared to drive the blade home.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No, don't! I was wrong! Ethan, I’m sorry! Please, I’m begging you, let me go!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damon shattered completely. He crawled toward the sofa, repeatedly smashing his forehead against the floor in a desperate kowtow.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mr. Price, please, have mercy! I won't ever do it again! I'll go back and convince my father, the Meyer family will never stand against the Spencers again! Anything you want, I’ll give you! Just don’t cut my nose, don’t cut my tongue!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His voice was shrill, pathetic, and groveling—a stark contrast to the arrogant, sadistic bully who had threatened to cripple Ethan just moments ago.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Just as the blade seemed poised to slice into his flesh, the sheer weight of his terror broke his last shred of physiological control.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A hot, damp liquid suddenly seeped through his expensive Italian-tailored trousers, spreading into a dark, spreading stain across the floor.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damon Meyer had lost control of his bladder.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272910558]