Chapter 619

The living room was a mess.

Two women—clearly mother and daughter—were tied up, their faces pale with fear.

A thug loomed over them, his voice rough. "Where's the damn money? Pay up!"

A gaunt middle-aged man wrung his hands. "We don't have it! Just two more days, please!"

"You said that last time!" The thug scoffed. "Guess I gotta teach you a lesson."

He yanked the ropes tighter around the women. "No money? Then I'll take their fingers!"

He pulled out a knife, grinning.

That was when Julian Mercer burst in.

He shoved himself between the thug and his family, eyes blazing. "If you want blood, take it from the man who owes you!" He jabbed a finger at his father, Marcus Davis. "He's the one who gambled it all. Take him—we don't need him."

Marcus's face twisted. "You little brat! I'm the head of this family!"

Julian laughed bitterly. "Head? You're a parasite. You've sucked us dry for years!"

Marcus lunged, fist flying.

Julian, busy untying his mother and sister, didn't dodge in time. The punch landed hard.

"You disrespectful—!"

The thug rolled his eyes. "Enough! I'm here for cash, not your drama!"

Then Marcus did the unthinkable.

He pointed at his wife and daughter. "Take them instead! The girl's almost old enough to marry. The wife can clean, cook—whatever you want!"

Julian's stomach turned.

His mother—calloused hands gripping her daughter—screamed, "No! Don't touch her!"

Claire Dawson, watching from the doorway, felt like she'd stepped into a nightmare.

She strode forward, heels sinking into the grimy floor.

All eyes snapped to her.

In her designer dress, she looked utterly out of place—like a swan in a gutter.

Julian's mother and sister gaped. They'd never seen anyone so... polished.

Julian froze.

Shame burned through him. Of all people, why did she have to see this?

Claire didn't hesitate. She pulled a black card from her purse and slapped it against the thug's chest. "The debt's cleared. Now leave."

The thug's eyes bulged as he processed the payment—two million, just like that.

He whistled. "Damn, Marcus. You got lucky." He leered at Claire. "Sweetheart, need protection? My boys could—"

"Go," Claire snapped.

They scattered.

Marcus eyed Claire like a vulture. "Who are you? That card really had two mil?"

Julian's mother fumbled for a chair, wiping dust off the seat. "Miss, please sit—"

"No." Claire's gaze swept the crumbling walls, the broken furniture. This was where Julian grew up?

The divide between them had never felt wider.

She turned to leave.

Marcus grabbed Julian's arm. "Who is she? Rich, huh? You should—"

"Shut up!" Julian shook him off and chased after Claire.

Outside, Claire cursed under her breath. Her tires were stuck in mud.

Julian caught up, voice raw. "I'll pay you back. Every cent."

She rolled down the window, lips curled. "How? You dropped out of med school. Back to dancing for tips? Selling yourself?"

She tossed a bag at him. "Keep it. Consider it severance pay."

His throat tightened. "Claire, I—"

"Need a lift?"

Lucas Bennett appeared, smirking. His SUV idled nearby.

Julian's fists clenched as Claire stepped out of the car without a backward glance.