"Let's settle the accounts," Victor Hale said calmly, as if discussing something trivial. He walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down with slow, deliberate elegance. Crossing one leg over the other, he leaned back slightly, looking completely at ease, as though he were enjoying tea rather than dismantling a family in front of everyone present. That contrast only made the atmosphere heavier.
"In the past three years, my useless son has spent quite a lot on your Quinn family," Victor continued evenly. He didn't even glance at Ryan. "I let it go because he was willing." After a brief pause, his gaze sharpened. "But now that the engagement is canceled, it's time to calculate exactly how much your family has taken."
He gestured toward the thick document on the table. "Read it."
The lead lawyer stepped forward, adjusted his glasses, and began in a steady, emotionless tone. "In May, Year One, one Porsche 911 valued at 2.8 million was gifted to Miss Sophia Quinn. In August, 15 million was injected into Quinn Group to cover operational losses. In February, Year Two, a beachfront villa in Bay No.1 District valued at 45 million was transferred to Miss Sophia Quinn."
The list continued without pause, each entry landing heavily in the room. At first, the Quinn family still held onto a trace of composure, but as the numbers piled up, their expressions gradually changed. Their faces grew pale, then paler, until the color drained completely. This was no simple bill—it was a record of complete dependence, even exploitation. Every line exposed how deeply they had relied on Ryan, the very person they had secretly looked down on.
After several minutes, the lawyer finally closed the file and announced, "The total amount stands at 138 million."
A collective gasp spread through the hall. Even the onlookers couldn't hide their shock. Over a hundred million, all spent on one woman.
"So… so much money…" Sophia's aunt muttered weakly, her legs trembling.
Victor tapped his fingers lightly against the armrest—slow, rhythmic, suffocating. "Legally speaking," he said calmly, "large-value gifts made under the premise of marriage fall under conditional transfer. Once the engagement is terminated, they must be returned." He lifted his gaze slightly. "I'll give you ten minutes. Return the money—or return the items."
Chairman Quinn nearly collapsed on the spot. The money was long gone, poured into their company and lifestyle, and the properties and luxury items were the very foundation of their status. Losing them meant losing everything.
"Mr. Hale… please…" he stammered, but his voice carried no strength.
"Uncle Hale!" Sophia suddenly stepped forward, her eyes red and her voice trembling. "These were all given willingly by Ryan. I never forced him. How can you take back something that was gifted?"
She turned toward Ryan, her expression softening into desperate pleading. "Ryan… say something. Are you really going to let your father humiliate me like this? Was everything between us just a transaction to you?"
For a moment, Ryan's lips moved. In the past, those tears alone would have been enough to break him. But this time, he felt Victor's gaze—cold, sharp, absolute. His body stiffened, and the words died in his throat. Slowly, he lowered his head without saying anything.
Sophia froze.
For the first time, her tears had no effect.
"Feelings?" Victor let out a faint chuckle as he stood up and walked toward her step by step. Each movement carried invisible pressure, forcing Sophia to instinctively step back. Looking down at her, he said coldly, "Miss Quinn, you're mistaken. You've always treated relationships like business. You took everything, but never intended to give anything back."
His voice sharpened slightly. "You want benefits without responsibility, and you play the role of virtue while enjoying the privileges. That kind of deal…" He paused, his eyes turning cold. "…only exists in fantasies."
Sophia's face turned pale, her lips trembling, but no words came out.
Victor didn't wait for a reply. He turned away and said flatly, "Proceed with liquidation. Take back everything that belongs to the Hale family. Not a single coin is to be left behind."
"Yes, sir," the lawyers and bodyguards responded immediately.
The atmosphere shifted in an instant.
"What are you doing?! This is my house!" Chairman Quinn shouted, trying to step forward, but he was quickly restrained and pushed aside. A bodyguard approached Sophia and extended his hand. "The car keys."
She froze, clutching her bag tightly. "No… I won't give it…" she whispered.
"I'm sorry," the bodyguard replied without emotion as he took the bag, retrieved the keys, and pulled out the property documents.
"That's mine! Give it back!" Sophia cried, trying to lunge forward, but she was blocked instantly.
"And that," Victor's voice sounded again, calm yet absolute. He pointed toward her neck. "The Ocean Heart. Worth twenty million. Take it off."
Sophia instinctively grabbed the necklace, her face turning deathly pale. "No… this was a birthday gift… it's mine…" she said, her voice shaking.
This was her last sense of dignity.
"Stop!" Lucas suddenly stepped forward, placing himself in front of her. "Victor Hale, this is too much! You're the richest man in the city, and yet you're fighting over material things? If she likes it, then it belongs to her. What right do you have to take it back?"
Victor glanced at him once, completely indifferent. "Since you're so generous," he said lightly, "you can repay it for her. One hundred and thirty-eight million." He paused slightly. "Card or cash?"
Lucas froze. The confidence on his face shattered instantly. "I… money doesn't define everything," he forced out, his voice unsteady. "My feelings for her are priceless—"
"If you don't have money," Victor cut him off coldly, "then don't speak."
With a slight wave of his hand, the bodyguards stepped forward again. The pressure was overwhelming, silent but suffocating.
Sophia's resistance finally collapsed.
Her hands trembled as she slowly removed the necklace.
Clink.
The sound echoed softly as it landed on the tray.
It felt louder than anything else in the room.
Within ten minutes, the Quinn residence looked completely stripped. Paintings were removed, luxury items confiscated, and even the watch on Chairman Quinn's wrist was taken. The family members sat on the floor, stunned, their expressions hollow.
Everything was gone.
Overnight.
Victor stood there calmly, watching it all unfold without the slightest hint of emotion. There was no shouting, no argument—only absolute control.
He adjusted his cuffs and glanced at Ryan. "Did you see it clearly?"
Ryan trembled slightly, unable to respond.
Victor's voice remained calm. "This is the woman you called your goddess." His gaze swept across the ruined Quinn family. "And this… is the price of your stupidity."