Chapter 763

Liam Cooper lowered his head, staring at the bill in his hand.

Over three million...

His pupils contracted sharply.

He snapped his head up to look at Mia Truman. "What do you mean by this?"

Mia ignored him, merely lifting her chin slightly toward the manager.

The manager immediately stepped forward. "Mr. Cooper, your total consumption tonight amounts to three million five hundred and seventy thousand. Will that be by card or cash?"

Liam was stunned, his gaze shifting back to Mia.

Mia smiled.

The way she said "Young Master Cooper" was light and slow, the tail end of the word drawn out long, dripping with sarcasm.

She looked at him coldly, the corner of her lips curling up. "The manager is asking you to settle the bill. Why are you looking at me?"

Liam's Adam's apple bobbed, his expression ugly. "Mia Truman, stop messing around!"

Mia crossed her arms. "You're the one who can't pay. How is that me messing around?"

Chloe Raymond beside him was also bewildered.

Her two friends exchanged confused glances, whispering to each other.

"Chloe, isn't this bar owned by the Cooper family? Didn't we always just put it on the tab before?"

"Yeah, what's going on? Mia's acting like she's the boss..."

Chloe hurriedly tugged on Liam's sleeve. "Liam, what on earth..."

Liam opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Mia chuckled lightly. "Paying the bill is only right and proper. Surely Young Master Cooper isn't thinking of skipping out?"

She turned to the manager. "What's the procedure for dine-and-dash?"

The manager's face was stern, his words deliberate. "Call the police. With an amount involved over three million, the sentence would be ten years or more."

Mia then glanced at Chloe and her friends. "And them?"

The manager smiled. "Accomplices. Three to five years."

Mia raised an eyebrow. "Hear that? If you can't pay, you and your little girlfriend are both going in. Hurry up and settle it."

These words landed heavily.

Evelyn Ross and Natalie Castillo felt the stifling anger in their chests instantly dissipate.

All the humiliation they had suffered earlier was now returned in full.

Natalie cracked sunflower seeds even more cheerfully, her little mouth making soft sounds.

A small pile of shells quickly accumulated by her feet.

She nudged Evelyn with her elbow. "Feels good, right? Putting scumbags in their place is definitely the best feeling in the world!"

Evelyn: "..."

What kind of hobby was this?

On the other side.

Chloe's face was pale, her voice trembling. "Liam, what's really going on? What right does Mia have to..."

Mia scoffed. "Who owns the bar isn't important. What matters is—you can't weasel out of tonight's bill."

Her gaze swept over Liam, then landed on Chloe. "What, can't afford it? How about... you and your girlfriend go Dutch?"

Chloe panicked instantly. "I... I don't have that kind of money!"

Mia said calmly, "Liam has spent quite a lot on you over the years, hasn't he? Coughing up half isn't too much to ask. Otherwise... you're an accomplice. Five years of prison food."

"You!"

Chloe grabbed Liam's arm tightly. "Liam, say something!"

Liam gritted his teeth, grabbing Mia's wrist and lowering his voice angrily. "Mia Truman! Don't go too far! With so many people watching, save me some face!"

Mia shook off his hand. "How much is your face worth?"

"You..."

Liam took a deep breath.

He glanced back at Chloe and her friends' probing looks.

He steeled himself and spoke. "You pay first. Later... I'll pay you back."

Mia looked like she'd heard a joke. "Beg me? Fine."

She held out her hand.

The manager immediately handed her a bottle of red wine.

Mia shoved the wine into Liam's hand. "However you poured it over my head just now, do the same to yourself. Then I might consider it."

Liam's face turned ashen.

Mia stared at him. "Not willing? Then I'll have the manager call the police right now."

Liam's chest heaved, a vein throbbing at his temple.

Chloe and her friends were all watching... He couldn't give himself away!

"...Fine!"

He grabbed the bottle, aimed it at the top of his own head, and poured it down hard!

Dark red wine streamed down his hair, over his cheeks, soaking his white shirt, spreading a stain.

Liam wiped his face, glaring fiercely at Mia. "Satisfied?"

"Satisfied."

Mia nodded.

Liam breathed a sigh of relief. "Then hurry up and pay!"

"Pay for what?" Mia tilted her head, smiling innocently. "I said I'd consider it. Now I've considered—I've decided not to help."

Liam exploded with rage instantly. "You're messing with me?!"

He was about to step forward, but his wrist was clamped tightly by the manager.

Mia spoke lightly. "Settle the bill, Young Master Cooper."