In fact, in Mendes's eyes, it wasn't far from it.
Cutting off someone's financial source is like killing their parents.
Although there wasn't this saying in Night City, the feeling was pretty much the same.
This Veronica, she just had to spread her legs and serve people, and everything would be fine. She could continue to make money and be popular, and he, Mendes, could continue to be the company's top agent.
But what about that stubborn woman?
She bloody refused.
In the end, he had to suffer with her.
But what was the result? Didn't she still end up filming adult movies?
She might as well have agreed back then.
"So that stubborn woman owes me, and it's not over yet. Our contract can't be terminated that simply. She'll still have to pay me back in the future!"
Listening to Mendes become more and more presumptuous, Jessica frowned, and her fists clenched repeatedly.
She was almost unable to tolerate this rude guy any longer.
Although she had been involved with gangs, beating debtors, and forcibly collecting protection fees, she could still distinguish what true, ingrained evil was.
"Alright, that's enough!"
Jessica interrupted Mendes's endless rant, suppressing her anger.
She was afraid that if the other party kept talking, she wouldn't be able to stop herself from resorting to violence.
She pulled a wad of cash from the bag on her waist and threw it into Mendes' arms.
"Here are fifty thousand eurodollars. Take this money, and from now on, you and Veronica have no connection."
"Heh heh, how could that be!"
Although he received the money he had been longing for, Mendes wasn't particularly happy.
Because it was far from meeting his demands.
"I knew why that crazy woman Veronica didn't dare come see me herself—she wanted to avoid paying back the debt!"
"Let me tell you, if you don't give me all the money, this won't be over. Don't blame me if I find others to come collect the debt!"
"Heh heh, do you think I was raised to be scared, you bastard!"
Jessica laughed when she heard Mendes' threat.
Who could a corporate dog like him—especially a down-on-his-luck corporate dog—find for help? Probably just Mercenaries and Gangers.
A good girl like Veronica might be scared, but who was Jessica?
She was the one who collected debts; she had never seen anyone dare to try and collect a debt from her.
Mendes' threat was like a child waving their fists trying to scare an adult.
He truly hadn't seen what a Blackhand was.
"I advise you to quit while you're ahead."
"When Veronica was popular, you certainly profited a lot, didn't you? Besides, Veronica might be easy to fool, but do you think I am? corporate dogs asked her to accompany them—would you, her agent, not know about that? Are you playing me for a fool?"
"So what? Are you trying to threaten me? With just you, a rotten Mercenary covered in cheap cyberware?"
He didn't deny it, but Mendes' face was full of ferocity.
He made no attempt to conceal his cruel nature.
"Heh heh..."
After staring at Mendes for a moment, Jessica laughed out loud.
"You really are someone who wants money more than life."
Before Mendes could retort, Jessica spoke first.
"Making your client live in a cheap rental while you live in a big house at 4 Boninger Street—you must be very proud, huh?"
"Your life really makes people jealous, Mendes. A happy family, a beautiful wife, and a twelve-year-old daughter. Hmm, I've seen the photo. She's in the bloom of youth, very pretty, unlike her money-grubbing father."
"You... what do you mean!?"
It was like having his weak spot suddenly seized during an argument. Seeing that he had been doxed, Mendes' face instantly turned pale. His arrogance vanished, and he became much more agreeable.
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