Erick, feeling like a beaten dog, was invigorated by Victoria's call. Meeting at her place during the day could only mean one thing. Victoria was about to marry Bryan, and Erick had just suffered a defeat. Her invitation suggested she found him more satisfying than Bryan. Men, when down and out, often seek self-assurance, and women are the best source of comfort and validation.
Erick's body reacted immediately upon receiving Victoria's call. Hearing the building door unlock, he imagined rolling in bed with Victoria, humming a tune and feeling his blood boil. Reaching the 19th floor, he was about to knock when the door opened. Erick, with a mischievous grin, was ready to pounce but froze upon seeing Henry.
Henry stepped back, watching him silently.
Realizing he couldn't escape, Erick reluctantly entered, seeing Victoria silently sitting on the sofa. He understood that Henry had forced Victoria to call him.
Henry snapped his fingers at Victoria, who stood up and left without a word. Erick hoped for a signal from her, hoping she'd call the police once outside. Henry, reading his mind, took Erick's phone and handed it to him, saying, "If you want to call the police, go ahead. I won't stop you."
He glanced back, seeing Victoria reach the elevator, and closed the door. Erick, covered in goosebumps, knew calling the police was futile. Henry could easily snatch the phone away before he could dial.
Erick swallowed hard, "You want me to marry Victoria? I agree!"
Henry, experienced from prison, knew how to extract information. He didn't state his purpose, making Erick reveal it himself.
Henry approached Erick, asking, "What else?"
"What else?" Erick, not one to be honest, feigned confusion.
With a swift kick, Henry dislocated Erick's ankle. Erick screamed in pain, falling forward. "Ahhh!"
"I'll tell you! I paid Tristan to hire those fighters."
Henry stomped on his knee, dislocating it. Erick screamed again.
"What else?" Henry asked.
Erick was stunned. Unsure if Wyatt or Ryan had contacted Henry, he said, "Tristan mentioned Wyatt, and I called Quentin's brother-in-law, Ryan."
Henry stomped on his elbow, dislocating it. Erick screamed in agony.
"What else?" Henry asked again.
Erick, in tears, said, "I swear, that's all. I didn't contact anyone else. Wyatt is the top dog in Harbor Springs. If Tristan sought him, who else could I contact?"
Henry stomped on his shoulder blade, dislocating it. Erick screamed, "I swear, that's all!"
Henry coldly asked, "What about the backup hard drives?"
Erick cursed Jason internally, realizing he must have informed Henry. "I don't have any backups! I kept the three hard drives and all my money together because they were the most important. Why would I have backups?"
Henry twisted his heel on Erick's neck, causing him immense pain. "I swear, I don't have any backups!"
No one could endure such pain. In prison, Henry used this method to subdue his enemies without leaving visible injuries. Henry removed his foot, crouched beside Erick, and asked, "Why didn't you leave when I told you to?"
"I'll leave, I'll leave. I'll never return to Harbor Springs!"
"I asked why you didn't leave before."
"I was unwilling, but I'll leave this time."
Henry said, "Don't think I won't kill you because of the consequences. There are fates worse than death, and I have a hundred ways to make you suffer. Understand?"
"Yes, I understand."
"If you go to your uncle or aunt, you'll experience even worse pain. Understand?"
"I understand. I won't go to them. If I wanted to, I would have already."
Henry nodded, "I'll give you another chance. It's up to you whether you change your ways or continue down this path, leading to a fate worse than death."
"I understand."
Henry silently reset Erick's dislocated joints. As Erick was about to thank him, Henry kicked his joints out again, causing him to scream in pain.
Henry, still expressionless, said, "Disappear from my sight, and you'll live a good life. Otherwise, you'll experience this pain ten times a day. Understand?"
"Yes, I understand."
Henry coldly asked, "Do you want to leave on your own or call an ambulance?"