The Tyrant's Stolen Bride-Chapter 116: Debts Are Paid in Full

"Let me go!" Nova struggled, trying to break free as she was dragged out. Outside the ballroom, she was shoved and stumbled to the ground.

"You’ll pay for this!" she screamed, raising her hands, yet no one paid her any attention.

She rose to her feet, straightened her dress, and walked calmly toward her car, but then she froze.

Someone was already waiting, leaning lazily against her car, arms crossed, a cigarette balanced between his lips.

"Ah, Miss Nova. I’ve been waiting for you," Kane said, a smirk tugging at his lips. He took one last puff from his cigarette and crushed it beneath his boot.

"You’re not going anywhere yet, Miss Nova. This way, please." Kane raised a hand, indicating the black car idled nearby, its engine humming low and steady, as if waiting for her rather than preparing to leave.

The window slowly rolled down, and Nova flinched at the sight of the man inside.

"No... it can’t be," she whispered, disbelief turning her blood cold. How had they even gotten here? She had escaped the country, disappearing after failing to pay back the debt she owed him.

Her eyes snapped to Kane, her fists clenching. Rowan must have contacted them right after he learned what she’d done to his wife.

There was no other way they could have found her in Oaklyn so quickly. Or worse, maybe they had already been here, waiting for her.

Anger had no place here, right now she needed to run.

She took a step back and bolted, but before she could get far, strong hands grabbed her.

They had anticipated her escape and were ready. She was dragged toward the car, shoulders pressed down until she collapsed onto her knees.

The man inside the car stepped out, his boots crunching against the sandy pavement, the sound sharp and threatening.

"Long time no see, Nova. Now... it’s time to settle your bill."

His hoarse voice carried a chill that crawled down her spine.

With a snap of his fingers, his right hand men in suits emerged, a document already in hand.

"Miss Nova, to clear all your debts, please sign where indicated."

He thrust the agreement toward her, several pages marked with waiting signatures.

Nova trembled, her hands shaking, but she refused to take the pen and sign. She knew she would lose everything she owned.

The man lit a cigarette and exhaled a long, slow puff, watching her.

Seconds ticked by, and she still hadn’t signed. He gave a sharp flick of his fingers, signaling his men.

Nova noticed the movement and immediately pleaded, "Please... give me some time. I’m trying to find investors for my business."

The plea slowed and stopped when the man crouched down, puffing smoke into her face as he snorted.

"How much longer am I supposed to hear the same excuses? It’s been over a year."

He straightened, and his men moved immediately. They grabbed both of her wrists as she screamed and twisted, struggling violently.

Several slaps landed across her face, forcing her to calm down and sit still. They couldn’t do their job properly if Nova kept twisting like that.

Another man opened an ink pad, pressed her thumb into it, and stamped it onto every page of the agreement.

Tears streamed down as all her assets had just been transferred out of her name.

After all the documents had been stamped, they shoved her away. Her face was pale, marked with faint red bruises from the repeated slaps, tears spilling freely.

"All set, boss," the right hand man said.

"Let’s go." He gave his men a brief nod.

They climbed into the car, and before the door closed, he tossed a card at Nova.

"If you’re looking for work, I have an opening for an escort. Just contact the number," he sneered.

The car sped away, leaving Nova behind in a cloud of dust and smoke.

Kane remained where he was, watching the scene unfold before him, his expression completely unreadable.

"Now you need to settle the bill with Madam as well."

Nova froze. She hadn’t even realized Kane was still there.

Kane had no intention of dirtying his hands. At his signal, two burly men stepped forward, grabbing Nova before she could react.

Long after several hours had passed, Nova slowly stirred, rising from unconsciousness. Faint whispers reached her ears.

"Are you sure I can do this?" Lyra whispered hesitantly.

"Yes. I’ve done this many times before," Rowan murmured back.

"But... isn’t this illegal?" Lyra asked, her voice a little louder than before.

"Don’t worry. I can cover it for you." Rowan replied calmly. His tone was reassuring, steady.

Before Lyra could respond, another voice cut in from the side.

"You need to learn not to be so soft with people like her," Enzo said. He was seated behind them, arms folded.

"I’m with Enzo on this," Marcus added, taking a slow drag from his cigarette.

"I can’t stand watching Rowan step back and apologize when he wasn’t even at fault earlier. You have to be firm with people like this." Smoke curled from his lips as he spoke.

Neither of them could stomach seeing Rowan soften so much just because of his wife.

"Come on, Lyra. You can do this—no, you have to do this. You’re Rowan Pierce’s wife. You carry his pride and power." Enzo urged but Lyra shivered at his words.

Still, she rose from her seat.

She walked slowly, chin held high, edging closer to Nova, who was now awake.

It was her first time acting like a true madam. The wife of an influential man who held authority and power.

And she felt awkward.

Then she paused and turned back. "What was I supposed to say again?"

Enzo and Marcus slapped their foreheads at the same time.

Rowan heard it and shot his friends a stern warning look before stepping toward Lyra. He leaned down and whispered in her ear.

"Oh... okay, okay." Lyra nodded in sudden understanding.

She composed her expression, schooled her features into calm authority, and finally turned back to Nova.

Nova was trembling, her hands and legs bound. She couldn’t run away.

"What are you trying to do?"

Lyra smirked. "Teach you a lesson. Of course."

Before long, a video of Nova confessing her wrongdoing and issuing a public apology spread rapidly across Oaklyn.

Overnight, she became infamous. Reporters swarmed her relentlessly, cameras flashing, questions shouted, until there was nowhere left for her to hide.