At that moment Liam stumbled backward, like gravity had suddenly doubled just for him. His legs felt like wet paper. The chair behind him scraped loudly as he reached for it to steady himself, but even that didn't stop the tremor that shook through his arms.
He was silent—too silent for someone who came here with his chest puffed up, ready to prove a point.
He couldn't all that pride, all that planning, now scattered like ashes in the wind. He couldn't even gather his thoughts, not when everything around him was crumbling faster than he could grasp.
He had prepared for a confrontation—A few exchanged words, a clash of egos, maybe even humiliating Raymond in front of Valentina. That was the plan. That was his victory to claim.
But here he was. Defeated without a single swing.
