Chapter 1165

Finley sat at the bar, throwing back one drink after another, the low hum of conversations and clinking glasses filling the dimly lit room. In the midst of the chatter, a woman with a confident sway sidled up, leaning in a little too close for comfort.

“Hey there, handsome, let me get you a drink,” she purred, her voice smooth and inviting.

"Buzz off,” Finley snapped, his tone as cold as the beer in his hand.

Unfazed, she slipped onto the stool next to him. “How about a little deal, Finley?"

He turned slightly, squinting at her. She seemed to know exactly who he was. Was this a setup? He swirled his wine glass, the corners of his mouth curving into a sarcastic grin.

"And who do you think you are, waltzing over here with a deal?” he asked, his voice dripping with mockery.

She smirked, her red lips curling in a playful challenge. “Doesn't matter where I'm from. Just know I can help you. You want Livia, right? I've got something that'll make her fall for you, no questions asked."

Finley's eyes twitched slightly, though he kept his cool. “And what's in it for you? What are you after?"

Her gaze was as tempting as a siren's song. “I don't want anything big, just a little favor."

"What kind of favor?" Finley pressed, curiosity piqued.

"If you help me take down Oliver, I'll make sure Livia's yours. Deal?"

Finley poured himself another drink, filling the glass to the brim. Instead of sipping it,

he flung the entire contents into her smug face.

"Get lost!" he shouted, disdain dripping from his words.

She sat there, drenched and seething, as the cold liquid trickled down her face. Grabbing a napkin from the bar, she dabbed at her makeup-smeared cheeks, eyes blazing with anger.

"Finley, I thought you were desperate for Livia. I'm handing you a golden

opportunity, and you're turning it down? Maybe you don't care about her as much as you say."

"Save the mind games for someone else," Finley retorted, standing tall with an air of defiance. "You think you can use me against Oliver? Think@gain. I won't stoop to such low tactics to win over Livia.'m no saint, but I'm no scumbag either! Tell your boss if they want a fight, they should face me, not hide behind cheap tricks. You're all as pathetic as your schemes."

The woman was taken aback, not expecting such a flat-out rejection. She thought it was a win-win situation. Why would he refuse?

As she considered making a quick exit, Livia herself stepped in, blocking her escape route.

Livia hadn't expected to stumble

upon such juicy drama when she came out for drinks with friends. And she definitely didn't expect Finley to show such integrity. Maybe she'd underestimated him before, she mused, though she wouldn't let herself get carried away.

Startled, the woman demanded, "Who are you? Move aside!"

Livia crossed her arms, coolly asserting, "I'm Livia. Funny how you're plotting my life without even recognizing me."

The woman's eyes went wide with shock. Livia was here? Listening to everything?

Caught between Finley's intense gaze and Livia's icy demeanor, she realized she was cornered.

Finley was equally shocked, unable to believe Livia was standing right there before him. The girl he'd been dreaming about was so close, he was momentarily speechless.

“Livia.....” he stammered, excitement and disbelief mingling in his voice.

But Livia ignored him, acting as if he

wasn't even there. Her focus was solely on the woman in front of her "Tell me," she demanded coolly, "what exactly were you planning to make me take?"