As soon as Felicia spoke up, Miranda and the others quickly chimed in.
Sophia scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain. "It was just a joke. Don't tell me you're actually taking it seriously? Victor already took off his shirt—what more do you want? You really expect him to take off his pants? You want to watch that?"
Riley didn't even hesitate. "Yeah. I do."
"You—! You're shameless!" Sophia flushed red with anger, completely caught off guard.
She hadn't expected Riley to say something like that so openly.
The manager stepped forward, his voice cold and businesslike. "You should know the rules at Auremere. If you won't do it yourself, we'll have to help you."
He flicked a glance at the security guards.
At once, several burly men advanced toward Victor.
Victor clutched his belt in panic, nearly scrambling across the floor. "Wait—don't come any closer!"
Sophia snapped at Riley, "Riley, what's wrong with you? That's disgusting! Since when did you have such sick tastes? How can you be this cruel?"
Felicia quickly added, her voice soft but edged with blame, "Riley, we're all friends. Don't take this so far. And… I don't remember you ever playing dice before. When did you get so good at this? Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
Her words carried just enough accusation to shift the mood.
Sure enough, Victor stiffened, anger flashing across his face. "I get it now! You set me up, didn't you? You knew how to play all along but pretended you didn't—just to make me drop my guard!"
The manager didn't even bother responding to his excuses. He lifted his eyelids lazily, unimpressed. "Sounds to me like you just lost because you're not good enough. What are you waiting for? Do it."
Calling her a fool again and again—no respect at all.
Not for her.
Not for the woman who stood at the center of Auremere.
"Move."
At his command, the guards surged forward, pinning Victor to the ground.
Hands grabbed at his waistband.
"Ah—! Let go! Let go!" Victor howled, all dignity gone as he thrashed helplessly.
"Riley, make them stop!" Felicia cried anxiously. "If you don't, they're really going to strip him!"
Around them, the crowd watched with undisguised curiosity.
No one pitied him.
Why would they?
Especially when they noticed something strange—
The manager, who usually carried himself with arrogance, was now standing respectfully beside Riley, almost deferential.
That alone was enough to tell them—
She wasn't someone to mess with.
Not just the onlookers—
Even Felicia and Evan began to realize it.
A chill ran through them.
Could it be… Riley really knows someone influential here?
Felicia's teeth clenched.
No.
There's no way that fool has connections like this.
It must be because of Adrian.
That has to be it.
A useless fool like Riley—what right did she have to be treated like this?
If not for Adrian, would the manager be this respectful?
Damn it.
Realizing this, they quickly urged Victor to give in.
Victor, now half-exposed with his gray boxers already showing, finally broke.
"I was wrong! I admit it—I lost!" he shouted desperately. "Riley, please—make them stop! Don't strip me anymore!"
Riley's lips curved in faint disdain.
Honestly, she didn't even want to see this.
His body wasn't even half as appealing as her Hubby sitting in a wheelchair.
Trash like Victor—
All bark, no bite.
A little pressure, and he fell apart completely.
She popped a grape into her mouth, chewing slowly before waving her hand.
"Enough. I don't feel like watching anymore."
She tilted her head slightly, voice light.
"Just have him run three laps like that."
The moment she spoke—
The guards immediately released Victor and stepped back into place, disciplined and silent.
Evan and the others stared in shock.
They could hardly believe what they were seeing.