Chapter 155 Can't Be Stopped

Amanda's POV

"I get it now! Even if Miss Sophia signs, it won't actually be valid!"

"Sophia Davis isn't one to stay in her lane," I said calmly, already three steps ahead in my mind. "Don't go straight to Robert Sterling or she'll throw a fit. Try reasoning with her first. If she insists on signing anyway, then report to Mr. Sterling so Sterling Group can prepare accordingly."

As I gave this advice, I already knew exactly how Sophia would react. Rich girls like her are so predictable—stubborn, deaf to advice, ignoring even life-saving warnings. Trust fund baby syndrome at its finest.

After the representative left with gratitude plastered all over his face, Stephanie looked at me with worry. "Amanda, Sophia is Sterling's daughter. If we burn that bridge, we're in for trouble."

I raised an eyebrow and shot her a smirk. "Did you see how she acted? You think I had a choice?" Every interaction with Sophia turned into a battlefield, with her constantly gunning for me, willing to bet her daddy's company just to see me fail. We were oil and water—never meant to mix.

I patted Stephanie's shoulder. "We just focus on our job. The rest isn't our problem."

For tomorrow's plans, I decided to spend the night here before visiting another company an hour away. Done dealing with Nicholas King's nonsense, I took Stephanie back to our hotel—learning from past mistakes, I avoided Nicholas's recommended place and picked a random upscale hotel instead.

Stephanie nervously suggested we share a room, afraid that morning's horrible incident might repeat itself. I waved her concern away with a laugh. "Don't worry. We'll get adjoining rooms. If anything happens, you'll hear it."

At around four, Stephanie knocked on my door to confirm tomorrow's appointment. Then her expression turned uneasy, hesitating before finally mumbling, "Amanda, Nicholas sent an invitation... for a celebration dinner. For his partnership with Sterling Group."

My eyebrow shot up. This was obviously a trap. But considering everything that happened, this dinner would definitely feature some drama worth watching. When Stephanie sweetly offered to decline for me, I stopped her. "No need. Get the time and address. We didn't partner with him, but we should still congratulate him. Otherwise, they'll call us sore losers."

My face displayed nothing but innocence, while inside I felt completely confident. Such amateur tricks were painfully transparent.

At eight sharp, I pushed open the private room door. Scanning the space, I immediately noticed several men in ill-fitting suits with thug written all over them—gold chains peeking through their collar gaps. So Nicholas planned to make a move on me. Talk about asking for trouble.

I sat down without showing any reaction. Sophia spotted me, her lips curling upward—the smugness in her eyes completely obvious to me.

"Amanda, thought you weren't coming. Arriving right on time means you owe us a drink, doesn't it?" Sophia held her glass, her tone surprisingly pleasant.

Immediately someone poured whiskey into a wine glass—such a basic intimidation tactic. People clapped rhythmically, chanting, "Drink up! Drink up!"

I set the glass down and poured myself some water instead. "I arrived at the agreed time. I'm not late, so I don't owe anyone a drink."

The chanting stopped. Finally, someone taunted, "It's just one drink. Why so uptight?"

Smiling sweetly, I pushed the whiskey toward them. "Exactly. It's just one drink. Don't be uptight. You drink it."

Their face darkened instantly. "This was for you! Why are you pushing it to me?!"

"No reason. I'm uptight, so I can't drink. You take it." I stared directly into their eyes until they squirmed.

"This much would send someone straight to the hospital. You think I'm stupid?" They looked away uncomfortably.

"No, you think I'm stupid. You know it'll land someone in the hospital but pressured me to drink it anyway. I'm 'uptight' if I refuse? What, you can dish it but can't take it?" I swept a cold gaze across everyone, disgusted by their juvenile tactics.

The atmosphere turned awkward and silent.

Nicholas stepped in to smooth things over. "Everyone got carried away. We can't expect a lady to drink that much." He grabbed an empty glass, poured a tiny amount, and handed it to me. "Whiskey should be savored slowly. Here, Miss Davis. About before—I was wrong. Let me drink to your forgiveness."

He downed his drink while I merely sipped my water.

Nicholas's expression soured. "Miss Davis, are you really going to disrespect me like this?"

"Mr. King, you must be joking," I said, sitting down calmly. "You have no respect in my book." Inwardly, I scoffed at this weasel trying to pressure me with drinking etiquette.

Nicholas nearly crushed his glass. "Miss Davis, since you're here, you follow our rules!"

I stood up immediately, movements quick and decisive. Nicholas hurriedly called after me: "What are you doing?"

"Mr. King is right. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. But since I can't drink, I'll excuse myself." My response was cool and collected. I'd made my appearance—I could watch the show from outside.

Nicholas looked ready to burst a blood vessel. Sophia jumped in: "If Miss Davis doesn't drink, we shouldn't force her. Amanda, Blackwood Group and Sterling Group are partners. This is my celebration dinner. Walking out shows disrespect to Sterling Group. Do you want our partnership to end?"

That accusation was so ridiculous I almost laughed out loud. She just worried her carefully planned show wouldn't happen if I left.

"Sophia, you're exaggerating. Your deal with Nicholas is between you two. My respect or lack thereof has nothing to do with Sterling Group."

"What do you mean?" Sophia glared, gripping her glass tightly. "I'm Sterling's daughter! My partnership with Nicholas equals Sterling Group partnering with him!"

They clearly wouldn't let me off easy unless I played along. "You're right. But I need to use the restroom. Are you going to stop me from doing that too, Sophia?"

After leaving the room, I headed straight for the bathroom. Nicholas was definitely up to something, and I'd rather face it head-on than wait for his move. Sure enough, just as I reached the sink, several men approached from behind.

"Hey beautiful, wanna have some fun? We'll show you a real good time!" one man leered.

I gave him a dismissive glance. The guy wore an ill-fitting suit with a gaudy floral shirt underneath, unshaven, cigarette butt hanging from his mouth, yellow teeth and sleazy face—absolutely revolting.

"Sorry, even for fun, I have standards. Can't mix humans and animals." I grabbed a paper towel, already preparing my next move.

His smile froze. "Did you just call me an animal?!"

"Quick on the uptake. Now I need to go, so move." I quickly counted four men, all looking like street thugs.

They blocked my path. "Boss, what do we do?" one minion asked.

"Since she thinks we're animals, let's show her what it feels like to be treated like prey!" the leader sneered.

Four against one. Bad odds. Just as I readied myself, two men walked out of the men's room—Robert Sterling and Ken Ford.

"Who the hell are you?" the leader barked. "Get lost or you're next!"

I bit my lip not to laugh and nodded to Robert. "Evening, Mr. Sterling."

"So that's why you're so brave? Got your boyfriends hiding in there?" The thug sneered, eyeing the two men in their expensive suits and Ken's gold glasses.

"Beat it now," he growled, fist raised. "When I start swinging, I don't care who gets hit!"

I felt concerned—I'd never seen Robert in a fight, and these thugs meant business. "Mr. Sterling, Mr. Ford, this is my problem. You should leave."

I could handle these lowlifes. But whatever happened next—even I was starting to get curious.