Right away, Amelie’s words made it all clear.


    “Charlie, remember how you got to be the head of the Lust branch? I spoke highly of you to Wace.


    Keep that in mind, will you?”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Charlie slowly raised his head, his face half-covered in blood.


    “Yes.


    ”


    “Good.


    Then, you understand you have no reason to be upset with me over this.


    ”


    Amelie nced at her nails, then looked back at Charlie.


    “Jade Paradise doesn’t keep anyone around who doesn’t pull their weight.


    I’ve always believed in you.


    Yet, you’ve botched every single task I’ve entrusted to you.


    I’ve overlooked your failures, time and again, all because of my faith in you.


    But you’ve let the troublemakers get away.


    Tell me, why should I keep you around any longer?”


    Charlie seemed too drained to even lift his head.


    With a raspy voice, he pleaded, “Madam… could you please give me one more chance?”


    Faustina, standing nearby, couldn’t help but taunt him when he was already down.


    “Another chance? Sorry for my bluntness, but you’ve messed up every task Madam’s given youtely.


    You knew Hannah wasing to cause trouble, yet you let her slip into Jade Paradise.


    you have really put Madam in a tough spot.


    ”


    Amelie sighed, her gaze icy.


    “I’ve always kept work and personal matters separate.


    I think it’s time for you to step down and let someone more capable take your ce.


    ”


    Charlie, with his eyes shut, made a desperate plea.


    “Madam, I beg you! I’ll do anything you ask… I don’t mind starting from the bottom again… Please, spare my family.


    ”


    “Don’t worry,” Amelie responded with a light chuckle.


    “You’ve been with me for many years.


    I won’t turn my back on you or make things difficult for your family.


    Faustina will take over your duties.


    I know you’ve made mistakes and you’ve been badly hurt.


    You’re not fit to lead the branch anymore.


    ”


    She then looked at Faustina.


    “Faustina will fill in Wace.


    But don’t worry.


    Once you’re healed, you’ll still manage the security at Jade Paradise.


    ”


    Faustina’s face lit up with eagerness.


    She quickly assured Amelie of her dedication.


    “You can count on me, Madam.


    I won’t disappoint you.


    ”


    After making the arrangements, Amelie turned to the two waiters.


    “Go and get more guards.


    Look everywhere for that woman.


    After you’ve made sure she’s not hiding here, you can go back to your jobs.


    ”


    “Understood, Madam.


    ”


    Once they had left, Hannah turned her attention to Charlie.


    Inside the room, Charlie was hanging in chains, and a man left behind by Amelie approached him.


    He took out a dagger and walked towards Charlie.


    “Look, boss, I don’t want you to hold this against me.


    You must have realized what Madam was getting at.


    Your family can only be saved if you die.


    I’m just following orders.


    ”


    Charlie, who had turned his back on Wace to work for Amelie, had braced himself for something like this.


    He slowly lifted his head, meeting the approaching man’s gaze with a dark look in his eyes.


    Feeling guilty, the man lifted the dagger, shut his eyes, and aimed it at Charlie’s neck.


    Charlie clenched his fists and tightly closed his eyes.


    Bang!


    But the pain Charlie anticipated never came.


    Instead, he heard the sound of something hitting the floor.


    Opening his eyes, Charlie’s gaze sharpened.