Chapter 224

Edward was startled to learn that Cynthia was Jonathan's fiancée. He hadn't known Jonathan had a fiancée.

Tommy said gloatingly, "Edward, you're out of touch because you don't watch TV. Mr. Bennett was on a popular variety show recently, and everyone knows Ms. Jones is his beloved fiancée."

"How dare you ask the future Mrs. Bennett to do a strip dance?" Edward knew Tommy was stirring things up.

The Sexton family was one of Betrico's four major families, but the Anderson family's recent rise had made the Sextons wary. Edward said, "Tommy, you knew! Why didn't you tell me? Are you trying to set me up?"

Tommy grinned mischievously. "I meant to, but you were so quick to send Ms. Jones to entertain. When Jonathan saw that, his face turned cold."

Jonathan coldly addressed Edward: "If you strip and dance in all eighteen private rooms on this floor, I'll let you go. Otherwise, the Anderson family can leave Betrico."

Jonathan's cold tone made Edward gasp. He knew Jonathan wasn't joking. He'd never expected the seemingly unassuming woman, who looked like a college student, to be Jonathan's fiancée. He knew the Anderson family would be in serious trouble if Jonathan didn't vent his anger.

Edward gritted his teeth and removed his shirt. "Today's my unlucky day. It's my fault. If you want me to dance shirtless, I will. I hope you and Ms. Jones will forgive me and spare the Anderson family."

Tommy heckled, "Who said just shirtless? You need to take off your pants too!" Edward's fists clenched. He wanted to punch Tommy.

Edward looked at Jonathan, who coldly ordered, "Take your pants off."

Edward decided to comply and started unbuckling his belt. Dozens of men and women gathered to watch.

Cynthia craned her neck and stared. She thought, "This well-dressed jerk has a pretty impressive body. Eight-pack abs and a model's build."

Jonathan pulled Cynthia into his arms, covering her eyes. "Don't—"

Edward was down to his boxers. "Is this okay?"

Jonathan wasn't going to let him continue. "Get lost."

Tommy, gloating, clapped and cheered. Jonathan shot him a cold look. "You need to dance in all eighteen private rooms."

Tommy was stunned. "Why do I have to dance too?" Jonathan's voice was cold, "Figure it out yourself."

Tommy couldn't understand why he had to embarrass himself, but under Jonathan's authority, he complied. Luckily, he didn't have to undress. Edward's spectacle drew enough attention.

Jonathan quickly pulled Cynthia from the private room. His expression remained dark in the car.

Chapter 224 (Continued)

Cynthia thought he was upset about the incident, so she apologized. "I'm sorry. I got you into trouble." She knew the people in those private rooms were young elites in Betrico. While not as influential as the Bennetts, they weren't nobodies either. She felt it was unwise for Jonathan to clash with them for her sake.

"I'm not angry about that," Jonathan snorted. His expression told Cynthia he wanted comfort.

She scratched his chin. "Then what are you upset about?"

Jonathan snorted coldly. "Is my body not good enough?"

Cynthia was puzzled. "You have a great body," she responded confusedly.

Jonathan said, "You kept looking at that jerk's eight-pack abs. Aren't nine good enough?"

Cynthia was stunned. She understood: he was upset about her glancing at Edward's abs.

Cynthia felt speechless. "I just took a look. I had no other intentions."

Jonathan asked, "What other intentions?"

Cynthia was speechless again. She spent a long time comforting Jonathan, assuring him his abs were the sexiest and promising to admire only his from then on.

Jonathan's expression brightened. "Why did you go into that private room?"

Cynthia recounted what she'd seen in the passageway. Jonathan's brow furrowed. "Someone dared to drug Levi! They've got some nerve. Don't they know he's the incoming regional head of Betrico?"

In Betrico, the regional head held mayoral-level power, controlling military resources. Claude had mentioned Levi's appointment to Jonathan, but it was classified. The Claude family's government connections gave them access to more secret information.

Cynthia was surprised Levi was a high-ranking official. Even before assuming office, people were trying to blackmail him with compromising videos. She feared the consequences, even for ordinary citizens, and thought those trying to set Levi up were awful.

Cynthia regretted not exposing their scheme directly. Now, she could only hope Levi noticed her note.

Jonathan knew Cynthia had given Levi a note. "What did you write?"

Meanwhile, in private room number eight, after Edward and Tommy left, everyone gathered to watch the spectacle. Levi remained, holding Cynthia's note. He unfolded it slowly. It read: "Mind Your Drink."