Laura's mind was consumed with one thought—if she had to die, she would take Anita down with her.
In her madness, she didn't notice anything strange about Julian's tone over the phone.
They agreed to meet at Julian's rented apartment.
Laura rushed there without hesitation.
When she arrived, Julian and his men were already waiting, watching her with eyes filled with something dark and unfamiliar.
But she didn't notice.
She was too far gone. The obsession had taken over.
The moment she walked in, she shouted, "I don't care how you do it—tie her up, drug her, knock her out—just destroy Anita!"
Julian asked calmly, "What about the monk who's always with her?"
"You have so many people and there's only one monk!" Laura snapped. "There will be a moment she's alone. Do you really need me to spell it out for you?"
Julian frowned. "It's too dangerous. If that monk finds out something happened to Anita, he won't let us go."
"After you get the video, leave the country! What can that monk do then—chase you overseas? You've got legs, don't you? Or are they just decoration?"
"Laura," Julian said, his voice tightening. "Don't talk to me with that arrogant tone."
"Arrogant?" Laura's face twisted in rage. Her voice rose to a screech. "So now that I've been kicked out of the Swift family, you think you can talk back to me too?"
"Calm down, Laura," Julian said.
"Save it. I don't want your excuses. Just do what I said. I want results in three days!"
"Three days?" Julian said, eyes narrowing. "That's too short."
"Don't bargain with me! This is an order! Finish the job and this card is yours."
She pulled out a supreme VIP card from the Commerce of City and tossed it at his face with disdain.
Even though she had been expelled from the Swift family, she was once a famous celebrity and had savings to back it up—evident in the card she now used like a whip.
The card hit Julian's face and dropped to the floor, like a slap.
He didn't react immediately.
After a long pause, he bent down, picked up the card, and stared at it.
Then he looked up.
"Laura," he said, his voice low and cold, "I admit it—I'm greedy. I've done plenty of dirty things for you over the years. But do you know what matters to a man besides money?"
He paused.
"Dignity."
"I kept quiet when you ordered me around. I swallowed it when you humiliated me. But time and again, you've trampled on my dignity with your damn money. And now you want me to risk my brothers' lives for this insanity?"
His hands trembled with rage as he suddenly snapped the card in half—and hurled the pieces back at Laura's face.
"Do you really think people are your slaves just because you wave a little cash around?!"
He was shouting now. The anger he'd buried for years erupted all at once. His eyes burned red as he glared at her like a beast that had finally broken free of its leash.
"You—you dare?" Laura gasped.
Only now did she realize something was wrong. Julian's men were closing in. Panic surged through her.
"What are you doing?" she shrieked.
"What am I doing?" Julian sneered. "Laura, after everything I did for you, you couldn't even show a little respect. But now? You want to ruin someone's life, and you think I'll help? That's rich."
Then—he slapped her.
Laura staggered back. The wound at the corner of her mouth, still healing from Alger's earlier beating, split open again. Blood trickled down her chin.
"I'm warning you! Don't do anything stupid!" she cried, fear creeping into her voice.
She turned to run, but the exit was already blocked by two of Julian's men.
"You want us to rape Anita?" Julian said coldly. "You want us to take a video and post it online? Fine. Let's start with you."
His smile turned cruel.
He grabbed Laura and began tearing at her clothes.
Laura screamed and struggled, but it was useless. The men pinned her down to the table, immobilizing her. Her mouth was gagged. She could only shake her head desperately, her muffled cries lost under the thunder outside.
"Hey, guys, look!" Julian mocked. "She used to be a superstar!"
His eyes blazed with twisted excitement. He remembered the hotel in New York not long ago—the image flashing back as he stared at her.
"You loved ordering me around, didn't you? Well, now you tell me what to do next!"
Meanwhile, John was unaware—and uninterested in—Laura's fate.
He had already left for the Long family estate with Sophia.
Anita was still filming in New York, so they wouldn't be returning to Houston for some time.
As for Bertha Carter, she had separated from John shortly after arriving in Houston. She mentioned visiting her old mentor, saying that by the time her visit ended, John would likely be done treating Sophia's grandfather.
At that point, she promised to introduce her mentor to him.
In the past, before Bertha became a martial artist, she had been accepted into a prestigious university in Houston. There, by chance, she met Alexandra, her mentor.
Recognizing Bertha's talent, Alexandra encouraged her to take up martial arts and study at the Houston Martial Arts School.
Bertha had hesitated.
But Alexandra assured her that she wouldn't have to drop out of university—martial arts training could be taken as an elective. She could continue her academic studies while practicing when she had time.
Bertha eventually agreed.
Despite juggling both, she rose quickly in the martial arts world. Her talent was undeniable, and she soon became a rising star at the Houston Martial Arts School.