Matthew knew I couldn’t hold my liquor, yet he still forced the entire bottle of vodka into my throat.

The moment he released my chin, the liquid surged back up. My stomach revolted violently against the onslaught.

Clamping a hand over my mouth, I bolted toward the restroom.

Kneeling over the toilet, I retched as waves of liquid poured from my mouth.

The pain in my stomach was unbearable, as though an invisible knife were slicing it to pieces.

When I saw the splashes of bright red staining the porcelain white of the toilet bowl, panic shot through me.

I quickly reached out and pressed the flush button.

Wiping the blood from my mouth with my sleeve, I glanced toward the bathroom door.

Matthew stood there, staring at me with unfiltered revulsion.

Leaning against the wall for support, I struggled to push myself up from the floor.

“I’ve done what you asked. I’ll have someone from my company follow up on the collaboration. Thank you for this opportunity, Mr. Anderson.”

I gripped the door frame for balance as I stared at him.

He grabbed my collar in one swift move, shoving me forcefully against the frame. His hateful glare locked onto mine.

“Two years ago, when the company was on the brink of bankruptcy, you forced me to sign the divorce papers.

“I thought you’d be living well by now. I never expected to see you reduced to signing contracts over a few drinks.”

He leaned in closer, his voice low and filled with venom.

“Look at me now—I’m Matthew Anderson the CEO. My company didn’t go bankrupt; it went public. Do you regret leaving me behind to clean up that mess?”

Matthew’s eyes bore into mine, his hand trembling slightly as it gripped my collar.

I avoided Matthew’s gaze, which burned with a hatred that could swallow me whole.

Tugging lightly at the hem of my dress, I pressed my lips tightly together, afraid the blood in my mouth might slip out.

At my silence, Matthew released my collar.

The sudden shift caught me off guard, and my knees buckled, sending me crashing to the floor at his feet.

He stared down at me and let out a cold laugh. “From today onwards, you won’t take a single step forward in this industry.

“I’ll partner with every major player to make sure you don’t have a chance to earn a single penny.

“Even if you get on your knees, begging for a contract, no one will give you one.”

Matthew leaned down, his eyes filled with resentment as they locked onto mine. “I’ll make sure you’re backed into a corner, trapped in a living hell—just like I was back then.”

I looked up and met his gaze, my heart twisting painfully in my chest.

I tried to plead with him. “This contract… Angela has already agreed to it. Couldn’t you…”

He turned away, his expression cold and unyielding.

“Throw her out. The farther, the better,” he barked at his bodyguards.

I struggled, trying to break free from the bodyguards’ grip.

I was so close—this last deal was all I needed to finally go in peace.

I didn’t want anyone to seek revenge on Matthew after my death because of me.

Struggling against the bodyguards, I shouted toward him, “Just this one last contract! If you let her sign it, I’ll give you my life—no complaints.”

Matthew stared at me, an unreadable storm flickering in his eyes. “Do you think your life is enough to threaten me with?”

Despair swallowed me whole as I looked at his cold, indifferent face. I stopped fighting and let the bodyguards drag me away.

They threw me out of the hotel doors with brute force.

The moment my body hit the ground, a sharp, metallic taste rose in my throat, and I coughed up a mouthful of blood.

I scrambled to my feet, disheveled and shaking, forcing my body toward the roadside. I needed to get to the hospital—I couldn’t die yet.

I still hadn’t paid off the last of the debt.

When my ride stopped in front of the hospital, I jumped out as fast as I could, clinging to my last ounce of strength as I staggered toward the steps.

But I was too late…