Sophia Merouin was tied to a chair, her face swollen and bruised. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. She looked up at Tristan Ashcroft with bloodshot eyes filled with terror.

"Boss, I've been loyal to you all these years!" Her voice trembled as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I swear, if I'm lying, may I die a horrible death!"

Tristan stood before her, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. His gaze was icy cold. Slowly, he removed his Patek Philippe watch and handed it to Ryan Casstevensa.

"We've checked everything." His voice was soft, yet it made Sophia shiver. "Jenna Roland talked."

Ryan wordlessly untied the ropes binding Sophia. The moment she was free, she collapsed to her knees and clung to Tristan's leg.

"Boss!" she wailed. "After all these years of serving you, don't I deserve some mercy?"

Tristan looked down at her, a cold smirk curling his lips. He kicked her away without hesitation.

"Do it." His order was brief.

Leon Massies and Ronan Abendroth stepped forward. Sophia screamed and tried to scramble away, but Leon yanked her back by the hair. Fists rained down on her until her face was unrecognizable.

Kevin Heilbronn stood in the corner, his face pale. He watched as Sophia coughed up blood, his legs shaking uncontrollably.

"Mr. Ashcroft!" he suddenly shouted. "Sophia and Byron Valdemar have been together for eight years! She used your money to buy him a car and open a shop! They were the ones who ordered Jenna to be followed!"

Sophia's head snapped up, blood obscuring her stunned expression. She glared at Kevin with pure hatred.

"You—" she spat through gritted teeth. "Byron treated you like a brother!"

Kevin flinched, his voice trembling. "I... I'm just telling the truth..."

Tristan's eyes darkened. He walked slowly toward Sophia and stepped on her fingers with his leather shoe.

Sophia let out a piercing scream.

"Cut off her thumb." Tristan's voice was eerily calm. "Then break her legs."

Sophia shook her head frantically, dragging herself backward. "No! Boss, I was wrong! I'll do anything!"

Tristan turned and walked toward the exit without looking back. "Do it."

Ryan pulled a gleaming dagger from his suit pocket and advanced on Sophia. Her screams echoed through the empty warehouse, like a dying animal caught in a trap.