Chapter 47 Naked

Chapter 47 Naked
Talia's POV：

Watching Erin freeze in place without responding, the smugness in my eyes nearly overflowed.

Just a whore propped up by Kingsley. Did she really think she could make waves?

I was certain she cared about the Perez family. I'd given her enough incentive.

I didn't believe she could still insist on revenge after hearing such conditions.

Once she softened and forgave Mark, I'd settle this score slowly.

How dare she make me, Talia, bow my head and show weakness. There would come a day when she'd cry and beg for mercy.

I clenched my fists slightly, the sensation at my fingertips reminding me of last night's bloody smell in the basement.

When Kingsley took Erin from Mark's apartment, I knew we were in trouble.

I immediately had Mark tied up.

When he was thrown onto the concrete floor of the basement, he still begged me to save him.

So he knew that offending Kingsley was basically receiving a death notice.

I absolutely couldn't let Kingsley trace this back to me.

Only if Mark stepped forward and confessed to everything could I protect myself.

Who knew he'd immediately change his tune after hearing my plan, collapsing on the ground and refusing no matter what, repeatedly muttering "Kingsley will kill me."

"Kill you?"

I bent down and patted his face, picking up a fruit knife from the coffee table.

"If you don't agree, it won't be Kingsley doing it. I'll make your parents disappear first, then take back your company shares, and finally send you to reunite with them. A family of three together in hell. How touching."

He actually thought I was joking and started yelling.

"I'm your cousin! You can't do this to me!"

I didn't waste words. I grabbed his left hand and pressed it on the coffee table.

When the blade fell, his screams nearly lifted the roof.

The severed finger rolled to the floor, blood splattering my dress.

He stared at his empty knuckle, his face pale as paper.

Finally he was scared, crying and shouting that he'd confess.

Actually, whether Mark lived or died didn't matter to me.

But I couldn't tolerate him losing his life because of that bitch Erin.

Thinking of this, anger rose in my chest again.

For trash like Erin, I had to personally come forward to apologize and plead!

It was a tremendous insult to me!

And that useless Gloria couldn't even handle such a small matter.

I suppressed my anger and glanced at Kingsley standing with his arms crossed.

His face was calm, as if he didn't object to my words.

He was my fiancé. Of course he'd stand by me. Erin was just a little maid. Even if Kingsley was temporarily interested in her, so what?

Kingsley was so outstanding, the don of the Baker family. It was normal for him to have several women, but I would be the future madre of the Baker family.

Since Kingsley had spoken about punishing Mark, as his future wife I naturally had to cooperate.

I forced myself to put on a gentle expression, keeping my tone as calm as possible.

"Erin, I know you're kind and surely won't really hold a grudge against Mark. How about this? I'll have him buy you the latest sports car as compensation. Just for my sake, forgive him this once, okay?"

A latest model sports car, worth millions. A woman from a small family like Erin could only own one in her lifetime.

She'd definitely agree!

Who knew Erin would firmly interrupt me.

"I don't agree."

The smile on my face instantly froze. I thought I'd misheard.

This woman actually dared refuse me?

What gave her the right?

Rage shot straight to my head. I clenched my fists, my nails nearly digging into my flesh.

If Kingsley weren't here, I'd tear that face of hers apart on the spot.

Erin's POV：

Watching Talia's expression crumble, barely maintaining her facade, the anger and grievance I'd been holding finally dissipated considerably.

Even my back wounds seemed less painful.

"Erin, what do you mean?"

Talia's voice was trembling. She was clearly furious.

"One car isn't enough? What exactly do you want? A house or jewelry? Whatever you ask for, I can satisfy. Even to save Mark, I'll accept all of this."

She deliberately emphasized "to save Mark."

Her eyes kept glancing toward Kingsley.

She was clearly trying to hint to Kingsley about her kindness and my greed.

I turned to look at Kingsley. I wanted to know if he thought the same.

Kingsley chuckled coldly. "Talia, didn't you just say 'whatever compensation you want is fine'? Besides, Mark was in the wrong first. Erin hasn't even made her demand yet, and you're already unhappy?"

Talia's face flushed red and white. She opened her mouth but couldn't speak.

Kingsley defending me like this suddenly filled my heart with sweetness.

Especially since he was defending me in front of Talia.

Obviously Talia thought the same, which was why she was so angry.

After a long while, Talia had no choice but to compromise.

"Fine. Tell me, what exactly do you want? As long as you forgive Mark, I'll agree to any demand."

Any demand?

I turned to look at Mark curled up on the floor.

He was staring at me with venomous eyes, but quickly lowered his head when our gazes met.

This kind of person would definitely seek revenge later, even if he apologized now.

Kingsley was right. Revenge must be thorough, or don't act at all.

I spoke slowly, my voice quiet but loud enough for everyone in the living room to hear clearly.

"My demand is simple. Make Mark walk naked through Downtown, record the whole thing. If he dares stop midway, start over."

I wanted his dignity completely crushed, wanted all of Varedo to know Mark was a pervert!

"No! Absolutely not!"

Mark screamed, struggling to get up, only to be kicked back down by a nearby bodyguard.

"Erin, you vicious woman! I'd rather die than do such a thing!"

Talia panicked too, pointing at me angrily.

"Erin, you're too evil! How could you think of such a humiliating method!"

This was evil? Compared to what Mark had done to me, I felt this punishment was nothing!

Talia turned to Kingsley, her tone pleading.

"Kingsley, look at her! This isn't about solving the problem. She wants to destroy Mark! You won't agree to this, right?"

My heart tightened. I instinctively looked at Kingsley.

Talia's plea was so earnest. She was Kingsley's fiancée. Would he help her?

I felt uneasy but also held a trace of hope.

Uneasy that Kingsley might side with Talia, hopeful that perhaps he'd stand by me.

Kingsley's expression was complex. He was silent for several seconds before finally speaking, his voice low and firm.

"Erin, you can't do this."

Sure enough, Kingsley still chose Talia.

My heart filled with indescribable sadness.