Chapter 12 You Brought This upon Yourself

• Sydney's words woke everyone up as if from a dream.
• "We, the Hollands, will increase the wager by 100 million!"
• "I, the Woolerys, raise 100 million!"
• "I, the Freemans ... "
• One by one, people began to raise their stakes. It wasn't about the money anymore. Their real goal was to force Petra into a debt she could never repay.
• Once that happened, they were free to do anything they wanted with her.
• "Alright, okay, I accept it all. Come on, bring the pen and paper. Everyone, write it down in black and white!"
• Liam, at that moment, seemed even more excited.
• Money! This is all money!
• Soon, nearly everyone had written down their bet amounts and signed their names.
• "Seven, eight ... hahaha, ten billion, a total of ten billion!"
• Liam had just finished tallying up the numbers when he turned around and lifted Petra in his arms. He praised, "Wifey, you're truly my lucky charm. We're going to be rich! This is it! We've made it!"
• For the first time in his life, Liam realized just how simple it could be to make money.
• Petra was completely numb. Several places flashed through her mind—possible destinations to escape to.
• Meanwhile, everyone else present had just one thought: Liam had gone completely mad.
• "Rich? Hahaha!"
• Philip burst into laughter. "You country bumpkin, what kind of dream are you living in?
• "I'm hereby declaring. You've already lost!"
• "Mr. Philip, it's not your place to declare the result."
• Petra could no longer hold back. Though she had a feeling they might lose, at least she wanted to wait until Tyra arrived.
• "Petra, you're not convinced?"
• Philip sneered, "Then I'll tell you why you've already lost.
• "Yes, the partner for Electra Group was chosen by my genius sister herself. However, she only chooses from the list I give her!
• "And you two, I've already stripped you of any chance to participate!
• "Not that you had much of a shot to begin with, but now I've eliminated even the slimmest of chances!"
• For a moment, there was a stunned silence, as if no one had expected the bet to end so quickly.
• "Philip, playing both judge and contestant? Don't you have any shame?"
• Liam frowned. He really hadn't expected Philip to pull something like this.
• Wasn't this entire trip a waste if he didn't get to meet Tyra?
• "This is my house, and I get to be the judge!"
• Philip suddenly roared, "You, a worthless piece of low-class trash, dare to challenge the entire high society of River City!
• "When I say you lose, you lose!
• "Ladies and gentlemen, this is my judgment—who agrees, who objects?"
• Philip's gaze swept across the crowd, and they quickly caught on. Everyone began to chime in.
• "I, Lizzie Reid, agree!"
• "I, Sydney Wells, second!"
• "I, Osbert Snowden, agree!"
• "I, Alex Turner, agree!"
• "I, Eric Snowden, agree!"
• "Agree!"
• "Agree!"
• ...
• The result was surprising. Almost everyone agreed—except Petra.
• "I object!"
• Petra was furious. "You're absolutely shameless!"
• "You object?"
• Philip's expression twisted into a mocking grin. He questioned, "Petra, do you think your objection matters?"
• "These past few years in River City, you've only risen because of me!
• "When I lift you up, you're the prestigious Ms. Snowden. But when I step on you, you become the lowly wh*re!
• "And since you've chosen someone like Liam, a piece of worthless trash, I'll make sure you turn into the filthiest, most disgusting joke of River City!
• "This is the path you chose!"
• Petra's face turned pale. She could feel the many men in the room leering at her with lewd, sinister eyes as if she were already their plaything.
• Unconsciously, she gripped Liam's arm tightly, her body trembling slightly.
• She was truly scared now.
• A small part of her regretted coming here at all.
• "Don't be afraid."
• Liam gently patted Petra's arm, trying to reassure her.
• Then, his gaze slowly swept across the room.
• "I'll ask just once," Liam's voice was calm and indifferent.
• "Are all of you planning to use these despicable tactics to declare that I lost the bet?"
• "Of course! You've already lost!"
• "Liam, stop struggling. It's game over for you!"
• "We are the representatives of the top hundred families in River City. When we say you've lost, you've lost!"
• "You, a mere bumpkin, don't deserve to stand here!"
• The room was filled with jeers and scornful laughter.
• This was the Mallins!
• Liam believed he could turn the tables, despite Philip's determination to destroy him.
• It was pure fantasy!
• "Alright then, I hope you'll still be so bold when you come begging for my help later.
• "Remember this—you brought it upon yourselves," Liam said, his voice ice-cold.
• "Haha! Even at death's door, you're still so arrogant!"
• Philip sneered, "Liam, to me, you're nothing but an ant!
• "Do you really think a tiny bug can topple an elephant? Let me show you what it means to mess with my family!"
• With a wave of his hand, Philip gave the order, "Go and break his limbs! After that, I'll personally castrate him!"
• "Yes, Mr. Philip!"
• The bodyguards followed his command and rushed toward Liam.
• "Stop it!"
• A calm voice rang out from the entrance.
• A group of people slowly made their way in.
• "Ms. Tyra from Electra Group has arrived!"