This really was a first. We in the Cerulean Gang had always been the ones saying that to others. I couldn't believe I was the one being threatened today.

A cold smirk tugged at my lips. I looked straight at her and said, "Don't hide behind other people like a coward. Not even Cohen would dare talk about ruining my family. Who do you think you are?"

"Who are you calling a coward?" Kate snapped.

"You, obviously," I shot back.

"You… You bitch!" Kate lost it completely as she swung at me.

I stepped aside effortlessly. She missed and crashed straight to the floor.

"Ms. Barnes, you didn't have to prostrate yourself to me. Thank you, but that's too much."

Kate scrambled up and pointed at me. "Bitch, just you wait!"

I coldly warned, "Keep running your mouth like that, and I don't mind teaching you some manners myself."

Since childhood, Dad had me train under various martial arts experts so I could protect myself. Someone like Kate was all talk and no threat. I could take on three of her without breaking a sweat.

She froze under my stare, suddenly unable to speak.

More and more people gathered around. I had no interest in being put on display like some kind of spectacle.

I bent down, picked up my bank card, paid for the bag, and turned to leave.

However, Kate blocked my way again.

That last bit of patience in me snapped. I lifted my foot, ready to kick her aside.

"Stop!" A deep voice cut through the air from behind me.

Kate immediately ran over, turning on the waterworks. "Mr. Campbell, you're finally here! She's been picking on me."

I turned around and finally saw Cohen. My eyes lit up. No wonder Dad said I'd be happy with this match.

With his broad shoulders, long legs, and sharp features, he looked about 70% like my favorite comic character.

That alone was enough for me to give him one more chance.

I smiled. "Mr. Campbell? I'm Bella Hurley, your blind date. Your father should have told you about me."

Cohen's father, Ruben Campbell, had once been nothing more than a small-time underling in the Cerulean Gang. It was Dad who recognized his business talent and gave the Campbell family the backing to rise step by step to where they were now.

Cohen's gaze swept over me slowly before he spat out with pure disdain, "A 28-year-old virgin? We're not a good match."

His words were sharp enough to cut. My anger flared instantly.

28 was old?

I had kept myself clean and never fooled around. Who gave him the right to insult me like that?

"Did you eat garbage before coming out today? Your mouth reeks! Did your parents forget to teach you basic manners?"

Cohen's expression darkened. "Manners? Someone like you isn't qualified to talk about that. I don't care what kind of spell you've put on my father, but I will never marry a hick like you."

Kate clung to his arm, smirking at me. "Look at that hideous face of yours. You aren't fit to even stand beside the brilliant and handsome Mr. Campbell!"

The crowd immediately chimed in, "Seriously, look at what she's wearing. That can't be more than 100 bucks. And she thinks she can marry Mr. Campbell? In her dreams!"

"Mr. Campbell has looks, wealth, everything. He can have all kinds of women. Why would he ever choose her?"

"Just a delusional old maid. Someone should wake her up!"

I might not be some world-class beauty, but I was easily a ten-out-of-ten in any room. How did I end up being dragged through the mud like this?

This world really just worshipped men like gods.

"Even if you were begging to marry me, I wouldn't have you! Go back and tell your father that I'm not interested in you!"

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."