Bill, look at what you've done to Mr. Norris. How could you treat him like this? Sean turned to Bill, his expression stern. "Quick, tell Mr. Norris you're sorry!"
Bill wiped his mouth, stifling a laugh, and approached Norris, who was sitting on the ground. He bowed slightly. "I'm sorry, Mr. Norris."
Norris looked confused. "Huh?"
"Come on, be serious!" Sean scolded from behind.
"Yes, yes," Bill replied, bowing again. "I'm sorry, Mr. Norris. I shouldn't have hit you. It was my fault that you… well, you know. You forgive me, right?"
Norris, a man of dignity, hesitated, glancing around as if contemplating what would happen if he refused to accept the apology.
"It's nothing! Just a misunderstanding," Bill said cheerfully, trying to lighten the mood. "Right, Norris?"
"Well, I guess…" Norris replied, still unsure.
Bill straightened up, grinning. "See? He accepted it!"
"That's great! From now on, let's just smile at each other if misunderstandings arise," Sean added, clapping softly. "Now, Bill, help Mr. Norris change into some clean clothes."
"Sure!" Bill offered his hand to Norris, who winced in pain as he got up.
"Oh, and don't forget to apply some medicine to prevent infection!" Sean called out. "If it really hurts, take a shot of morphine!"
"Thank you for your concern!" Norris replied sarcastically.
Half an hour later, Norris returned looking sharp in a suit and leather shoes, exuding a newfound energy. As he surveyed the room, he noticed a camera set up, along with a notebook and pen on the coffee table.
"Come here, dear Norris!" Sean beckoned, gesturing for him to sit on the sofa. "I prepared a pen and paper for you to write down everything you just said."
Norris looked alarmed. "Are you serious? What's with the camera?"
"No, all demons are kinder than you!" Sean shot back playfully.
If Norris documented everything, he feared he would be handing over his lifeline to Sean, who could control him at will.
"Absolutely not! I won't write anything down!" Norris protested.
"You need to write it clearly," Sean insisted, his smile turning menacing. "You will be mine from now on, and you'll still be the General Manager of the company!"
"You'll have a strong backer, and the company will flourish. You'll attract beautiful women from all over the world—more beautiful and famous than anyone you've been with before. Picture it: sunshine, beaches, yachts, cigars, and the envy of countless people. You can have it all!"
"And all it takes is your signature. One side is heaven, the other is hell. The choice is obvious!"
"You are a wise man, Norris Dennis," Sean concluded.
Norris, fearful after his recent humiliation, felt a desperate urge to survive. "I… I think I'll go along with it, sir."
Once the line was crossed, there was no going back.
As he fantasized about a better life, Norris picked up the pen and began to write.
"Writing while speaking makes it more vivid," Sean said, stepping back, signaling for the camera to start recording.
"Yes, sir!" Norris replied, taking a deep breath and writing as instructed.
He began detailing the dark dealings within the brokerage, from entertaining drug criminals to money laundering. Sean had him document all his past illegal activities, complete with dates and evidence.
Norris could no longer refuse Sean's demands, and for nearly two hours, he recounted the sordid details of his life, leaving Sean, Bill, and others speechless.
"This is so Hollywood!" someone exclaimed, realizing their own actions paled in comparison to Norris's.
By the time Norris finished, dawn was breaking.
Sean stretched, clearly exhausted. "Finally done! I'm so tired."
Norris glanced at the half-filled notebook, feeling tears of relief welling up.
"Look at you, crying out of happiness!" Sean joked, patting Norris on the shoulder. "We're about to enter a great era!"
Norris chuckled nervously. "So, when will you give me the money?"
"Money? What money?" Sean asked, feigning confusion.
"Aren't you buying my film company? The money for the purchase?" Norris's face twisted in worry.
"Do I really need to pay for acquiring the company?" Sean asked innocently. "What's the relationship between us? If we start talking about money, our bond will fade."
"Did I withdraw money for helping you out of trouble?"
"Absolutely not!"
Norris was growing increasingly anxious. "But I worked so hard for this!"
"Don't worry, Norris," Sean reassured him, a smirk creeping onto his face. "I, Sean, never let my people suffer. No one in Newark knows about this. You'll just be grateful for the wise choice you made today." He patted Norris on the shoulder, a glimmer of mockery in his eyes.
Norris felt a sinking realization. What about the strong backing Sean promised? The greater development, the sunshine, beaches, yachts, and beautiful women? Had he been fooled?
"Is this some kind of joke?" he thought, feeling utterly trapped.
"Alright, let's wrap this up," Sean announced, clapping his hands to break the tension. "Everyone's tired after a long night. Let's grab some breakfast and take a break. We still have things to handle later."
Just then, Jonas approached, looking uneasy. "Uh, Sean, I've got a bit of a problem."
Sean raised an eyebrow. "What kind of problem?"
"I went to bring Mr. Norris in, but there was a woman with him," Jonas said, rubbing his hands together nervously.
"Huh? And then?" Sean's frown deepened.
Jonas stepped outside and called in a man of color, whispering the details.
"Wait, you did what?!" Sean exclaimed, incredulous. He kicked the man in frustration, sending him sprawling. "Where is that woman? Where is she now?"
"She's in the car downstairs," the man replied, still on the ground.
"Damn it!" Sean shouted, his anger boiling over. "We need to handle this immediately!"
Norris, still reeling from the unexpected turn of events, felt a mix of dread and anticipation. What had he gotten himself into? The stakes were higher than ever, and he was caught in a web of deceit and danger.
As Sean stormed out to confront the situation, Norris sat in silence, the weight of his choices heavy on his shoulders. He realized he'd stepped into a world far darker than he ever imagined, and there was no turning back.