The terms of the employment agreement were simple.

I would be Liam's personal assistant, responsible for handling all the paperwork he assigned me. However, there was no salary. He only covered basic living expenses, and I had to be on call at all times without question.

It was essentially a slave contract. It was also evidence that I would be Liam's ghostwriter, helping him continue his con game in the finance world.

I picked up the pen, my hand shaking.

They urged, "Well, sign it. What are you waiting for?"

I signed my name.

Liam grinned with satisfaction, picking up the contract and flicking it.

"Alright, go take a shower and get changed. There's a press conference tomorrow where I'm announcing the latest developments in the acquisition. Write me a speech tonight that's moving and profound, and that showcases my business genius. If it's not good enough, you can start planning your mother's funeral tomorrow."

A housekeeper led me to the servant's quarters in the basement. The place was dark, damp, and without even a window.

Early the next morning, the villa's front door swung open. Then, Liam walked in with a crowd of reporters.

He stood in front of the cameras, looking righteous.

"Friends from the media, thank you for coming. Today, I want to clarify a few things. Regarding Mr. Quinn, even though he's made mistakes in the past, he was, after all, Shirley's husband. We've decided to give him a chance to turn over a new leaf.

"Starting today, he'll serve as my personal assistant, and I'll personally supervise him to help him turn over a new leaf."

The reporters burst into applause, praising Liam's generosity.

Shirley held onto Liam's arm, looking blissful.

Someone shoved me forward, and I stumbled in front of the cameras.

The flashbulbs lit up again.

Liam put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed hard. "Marcus, in front of everyone here, apologize to the investors you hurt. Get on your knees. That's how you show sincerity."

I jerked my head up to look at him.

Liam's eyes were venomous, and he mouthed silently, "Your mom..."

My knees buckled, and I dropped to the floor. "I'm sorry."

Camera shutters clicked like crazy.

Liam nodded with satisfaction and addressed the cameras again.

"As you can see, Marcus knows he was wrong, but some of the victims' families might still be quite emotional. I heard there's a protest organized for today. Marcus, if you really want to make amends, go out there and face them."

As soon as he finished speaking, a commotion erupted outside the villa.

"An eye for an eye!"

"Marcus, get out here!"

"Give us back our money!"

Dozens of people carrying banners broke through the security guards and stormed into the yard. They were armed with rotten trash and even bricks.

Liam shoved me toward the door. "Go on. This is what you deserve."

I stumbled forward from the push and fell on the steps. Before I could get up, a brick smashed into my forehead. Blood instantly poured down, covering my eyes.

"Beat him to death! Kill this con artist!"

Fists, kicks, and sticks rained down on me.

I curled into a ball and covered my head. Through a gap in the crowd, I saw Liam and Shirley standing on the second-floor balcony.

Liam held a glass of red wine, laughing hysterically. Meanwhile, Shirley watched expressionlessly, her eyes ice cold.

A housekeeper even wheeled Mom to the window.

Looking down at me getting beaten half to death, she clapped and laughed. "Good! Beat that animal to death! Honey, do you see this? Someone's finally getting revenge for you!"

My heart went completely cold. Before long, my consciousness started to fade. Their rage seemed to have no end.

Someone shouted, "Throw him in the ocean to feed the fish!"

"Yeah! Drown him!"

Then, they picked me up and carried me far away, and the freezing ocean water instantly engulfed me.

Suffocation closed in from all sides as I slowly sank. Watching the light above me grow fainter and farther away, I refused to accept it.

I had not made that pair of scumbags pay for what they had done yet.

I could not die.