The price of betrayal (Jack and Ashley) novel Chapter 331

Wasn't it enough to beat him? Did Nolan really have to humiliate Leonard like that too?

"Please, let me go," Leonard begged, his voice cracking. "If you want me to crawl like Mr. Shaun, I'd rather die."

"'Rather die.' What a brave declaration," Nolan mused, a chilling smile spreading across his face.

"Funny how people cling to pride and claim they'd rather die than be humiliated. But in the end? Take Mr. Shaun, for instance. Wasn't he just as proud? And yet, here he is, crawling just fine now.

"So, are you really prepared to die rather than be humiliated?" Nolan stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "If that's what you want, Leonard, I can oblige. I'm very accommodating."

"Very accommodating"—those words silenced Leonard.

His lips pressed shut, not even daring to draw a breath. He wanted to muster the courage to defy Nolan, to demand death over this torment. But the fear—cold and all-consuming—rendered him powerless as he trembled from head to toe.

"You have three seconds to decide. Crawl, or die."

"One."

Nolan didn't spare him another glance, beginning his countdown with a cold indifference. Leonard's face turned ghostly pale, every muscle in his body quaking.

"Two."

As Nolan opened his mouth and was about to count to three, every gaze in the room fixed on Leonard.

Despair and grief flickered in Leonard's eyes, but his hands moved mechanically, shedding his jacket. Piece by piece, he stripped away his dignity, until only his last shred of clothing remained. He clutched it desperately, his voice hoarse.

"Is this enough?"

Nolan's voice cut through the silence, calm but commanding. "You heard him. Get on with it, Leonard. I don't have all day."

Leonard's body trembled as he removed the final piece of clothing, his face a mask of shame and hopelessness. Then, he crawled alongside Shaun through the lavish banquet hall, reduced to less than a man.

Satisfied, Nolan turned back to the stunned crowd with a faint smile. "Well, the show's over.

Enjoy your meal, everyone. Please eat and drink well! Don't let this dampen your appetite."

Then, he shifted his gaze to Jennifer and then to Blake. "Blake, since you're from the Norwich family, how about handling the jewelry from Norwich Mall? Jennifer doesn't need trinkets—she needs money. And given her pride, she wouldn't dare step foot in Norwich Jewelers herself. Take care of it."

As Nolan's words registered, the guests realized that, amidst the chaos, the real winner was Jennifer.