Chapter 20 Bertha was shocked."The rule here is, once opened, wine can't be returned." "Huh? Did I tell you to open it? You popped the cork on your own. Can't return it? Then the bill is yours." Bertha's tone turned steely."You instructed me to open it. This private room has surveillance. We can check the footage." The entire room erupted in laughter. "She's new here. Bars don't have cameras everywhere. What if someone wants privacy? Haha!" Bertha's fists clenched, her teeth grinding. She'd never set foot in such a place. So she didn't know that. Another voice piped up, "You're lucky Mr. Petersen took a fancy to you. Drink when he offers, don't be ungrateful. 'Know who Mr. Petersen is? His name would scare you! Keep him happy, and you'll have a bright future." Bertha could sense the creep was a powerful figure here. If they bullied her, she'd surely lose in a showdown. For those from the lower rungs, challenging capital meant certain defeat. A bottle of wine worth 16,000 dollars was equivalent to many people's annual salaries. Yet the wealthy polished off several in a single night. What chance did she have to fight back? But if they pinned that 16,000 dollars on her, she might as well be dead. She had no way to pay. Bertha was silent for a few seconds, then forced a smile. I was out of line, Mr. Petersen. It's too loud here. How about we find somewhere quieter to talk?" efferson perked up instantly, chuckling as he stood. Good idea. Let's find a quiet spot for a deeper conversation." ... The private room erupted in jeers, "Yeah, go get 'deeper'!" Their malicious laughter made Bertha sick. Swallowing her revulsion, she forced a grin and turned to leave. Just then, Marcus stepped out of the elevator and caught sight of Bertha slipping through the security door. He frowned and looked back. The next second, Jefferson burst from the private room, rushing toward the security door with a leer. "Hey baby, I'm coming," he crooned. Beyond the bar's security door lay a realm of shadowy encounters. It was dimly lit there, sparsely populated, a haven for amorous pursuits. 16.12 2.9% < Chapter 20 "I fell for you the moment we met. Don't worry, I'll treat you right. Such a sweet thing... I need attention'." His grin turned vulgar. "Open that pretty mouth, let me see what you can do." Jefferson couldn't wait to have fun with her. Suddenly, Bertha shrieked. Axell stiffened."Marcus, something seems to have happened to Ms. Estrada." Marcus scowled, tempted to walk away, until Casper's face flashed in his mind. He marched toward the noise, then suddenly stopped in his tracks. Jefferson was on the floor, twisting and turning, with a black garbage bag over his head. Bertha straddled him, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks. Her blows were weak, like an elementary schooler's tantrum. But her high heels dug into his flesh, drawing yelps of pain. Jefferson, clearly drunk, had no fight left in him. your 'special Menu After a while, Bertha was panting heavily. She stuck out her tongue at Jefferson, then suddenly collapsed to the floor and fainted dead away. Cursing, Jefferson struggled to his feet and ripped off the garbage bag. Who the hell did this? Somebody's gonna die for this!" Bertha groaned, clutching her head as if waking from a daze. 'Mr. Petersen, what happened? My head is killing me, feels like I I was attacked! Did you see who did it?" No... I just blacked out." got hit." Son of a bitch! Ruined my fun and clocked me. Don't worry, baby, I'll get my guys on this. Whoever did it is lead meat." Jefferson fumed, took out his phone, and called someone, Bertha said she needed to go to the restroom, wearing a mask of fear. But the instant she turned her back, her expression changed. Her face contorted with exaggerated expressions, making it obvious she was cursing him inwardly. She was cussing him out something fierce. Marcus looked at Bertha with interest. Axell stood there, stunned. Was this even possible? With a quick thought, one would know what had happened. Jefferson had tried to bully Bertha, but instead of 16.12 291 < Chapter 20 confronting him head-on, she'd outsmarted him with a clever countermove. He didn't know whether to praise her smarts or marvel at her guts. Bertha shuffled out from behind the security door, wearing a timid expression on her face. But her sparkled with triumph. Then she saw them, and her heart jolted. Marcus frowned, fixing her with an unreadable stare. Axell, meanwhile, smiled warmly. "Ms. Estrada. Fancy meeting you here again."