"Someone has to take responsibility for the losses," Ryan said coldly.

Catherine opened her mouth to plead again, but before she could speak, Ryan cut her off.

"There is another way to resolve this," he said, his tone casual yet sinister. "If you're willing to be my mistress for the next five years, I'll make sure your father walks free."

Catherine froze, her jaw dropping in shock.

She had known Ryan could be selfish, but this? This was a level of shamelessness she hadn't expected. He wanted to have it all—his perfect career, his rich fiancée, and her body at his disposal.

Her entire body shook with fury. "*Ryan, you're disgusting!*" she spat.

Ryan's voice remained maddeningly playful. "*Come on, Catherine. You've always known what kind of man I am, haven't you?*"

Grinding her teeth, Catherine snapped, "*I'd rather die than be your mistress. No chance!*"

Unbothered by her outburst, Ryan chuckled darkly. "*Suit yourself. But if that's your decision, you'd better start looking for a top-notch lawyer to defend your father. You know how this works—embezzlement of this scale will land him in prison for at least ten years.*"

Catherine refused to back down. "*I'll hire the best lawyer in the country if I have to!*"

Ryan's laugh deepened, dripping with mockery. "*Oh, you mean Shawn Reed? Did you forget he's my future brother-in-law? Do you really think he'd help you go against me?*"

Catherine's fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. Words failed her—she couldn't even find a way to argue against him.

Ryan, sensing her frustration, smirked smugly. "*I'll be waiting for you to come crawling back to me, Catherine. You know how this will end.*"

Unable to listen to another word, Catherine ended the call abruptly. Her hands trembled as she gripped her phone, her anger boiling over.

Audrey, who had overheard the conversation, cursed loudly, "*That bastard! Don't worry, Catherine. We won't let him get away with this. He'll never have the chance to hurt you again!*"

Tears of rage streamed down Audrey's face. "*But Ryan isn't wrong about one thing,*" she added reluctantly. "*Mr. Reed is his future brother-in-law. Why would he risk his relationship to help us? Catherine, we have to find another way…*"

Catherine remained silent, staring at the floor.

Finally, after a long pause, she spoke softly. "*I've met Mr. Reed before. I'll try to talk to him.*"

Audrey blinked in surprise, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. She had always been a perceptive woman, and now she took a closer look at her stepdaughter.

It was then that she noticed the faint smell of alcohol lingering around Catherine and spotted the expensive coat draped over her shoulders. Audrey didn't say anything, but it was clear she had pieced together some of what had happened.

Still, she didn't press Catherine for details.

Reaching Shawn again, however, was far easier said than done.

Catherine made her way to Sterling Law Firm, but her plan hit a roadblock almost immediately. In the grand, marble-floored lobby, the receptionist gave her a polite yet firm rejection. "*I'm sorry, miss, but you can't go upstairs without an appointment.*"

Catherine's lips tightened. She regretted deeply not keeping the business card Shawn had offered her the night before.

"*When's his next available slot?*" she asked, her voice tinged with urgency.