Chapter 440 You Are Not Worthy to Know Who I Am
"Breakup fee? Emotional damages?"
Hugo clenched his jaw. "How much, Maddox? I'll pay."
After Lila's public humiliation, Hugo was completely done with her. Better to end it cleanly than drag out the pain.
"Smart kid." Maddox smirked. "Just a million dollars."
"A million?" Hugo's eyes bulged. The man's greed was staggering.
"Got a problem with that?" Maddox's expression hardened instantly.
"That's insane!" Hugo protested. "My family hasn't earned that kind of money in our entire lives."
"Maybe your family hasn't, but you have it. Everyone knows," Maddox rolled his eyes.
The sound of another car interrupted them. A black Passat pulled up, and two women stepped out.
Lila—plump and plain in a red jacket—had changed out of her wedding dress and rushed back with her bridesmaid in tow.
"Lila," Hugo said, his voice hollow.
"Don't 'Lila' me. We're nothing to each other now," she snapped before turning to her brother. "Did you get the money?"
"Not yet. He seems reluctant to part with that million," Maddox replied with a cruel smile.
"Reluctant?" Lila's face darkened. "That money is rightfully mine. My reputation is ruined because of you. I might never find another husband. Don't I deserve compensation?"
"You deserve something, but a million is too much," Hugo forced a smile. "How about $100,000? And you can keep the $168,000 wedding gift."
"$100,000?" Lila's friend scoffed. "Are you paying off a beggar? Lila wasted three years on you, and now her reputation is trashed. You think that covers it?"
"One million dollars—not a penny less," Lila said coldly.
"You heard her." Maddox pressed his knife against Hugo's neck. "If you don't agree, I'll cut off both your arms and break your parents' legs."
"Don't you dare!" Hugo's eyes flashed with fury.
He could take pain himself, but his parents were off limits.
"I dare whatever I want," Maddox said confidently. "Don't forget who runs things around here. If I break your parents' legs, I guarantee I won't see jail time."
Hugo's face fell. Maddox was right. In this remote village, police barely existed. If something happened to his parents, authorities would look the other way.
Worse, Maddox had a powerful backer—a brick factory owner worth millions who had the town mayor in his pocket. The man controlled factories across the region, including one planned for land he'd just bought from Hugo's family.
If Maddox hurt his parents, he'd face no consequences. One word from his boss and he'd walk free.
"Fine. I'll give you the million," Hugo finally said, his fingernails digging into his palms.
His eyes burned with a mixture of anger, self-reproach, and hatred. He hated Maddox for bullying him, Lila for betraying him, and himself for being powerless to resist.
But what good was hatred? He couldn't fight Maddox and his gang. Even if he somehow won, they'd return with reinforcements. And if he killed Maddox, who would care for his parents?
Tears streamed down his face—tears of helplessness, humiliation, and injustice.
Hearing Hugo's agreement, Maddox and Lila exchanged satisfied smiles.
"Smart kid. When my boss builds his factory here, I'll let you work security. Two grand a month. Don't thank me," Maddox lowered his knife.
"What a loser," Lila's friend muttered.
"Hurry up and transfer the money," Lila demanded impatiently, practically salivating at the thought of that million hitting her account.
"I will," Hugo said, pulling out his phone as tears continued to fall.
"I gave you that million for your parents' care, not to give away to others."
A calm voice cut through the tension.
Hugo froze, turning to look at the young man behind him. Noah stood with his hands clasped behind his back, smiling confidently as if everything was proceeding according to plan.
"Who the hell are you?" Maddox turned to Noah with an icy stare. "Kid, get lost. This isn't your business."
"Who am I?" Noah stepped forward, his emotionless gaze settling on Maddox. "You don't deserve to know."
Under that stare, Maddox involuntarily shuddered—a primal tremor that ran through his entire body. It felt like being an ant suddenly spotted by a giant.
"Is this Hugo's friend?" Lila whispered.
"Dressed so plainly—another nobody," her friend snickered.
"I don't deserve to know? That's rich." Maddox laughed coldly. "In all of Graves Village, there isn't a person I don't deserve to know."
He waved his hand and barked: "Beat him up!"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
