Demi had no choice but to retract her foot and stood back next to Coen with reluctance.
Sonnyâs tone was firm, commanding attention.
âThis 2.
5 million will cover the expenses for Luisaâs upbringing, but the money comes with strings attached.
â
Coen and Demi exchanged nervous glances, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.
Sonny continued, his voice unwavering, âCoen, you engaged in illegal trafficking when you took Luisa to Eurfrica.
You squandered all illicit gains on gambling.
The National Security Bureau has compiled detailed evidence of all your activities.
Accepting this money means you also accept the consequences, including potential prison time.
â
âWhat?!â
Coen gasped, disbelief etched across his face.
Demi, thrown into a panic, protested, âWhy am I being implicated? I never supported him in doing such things!â
Luisa, her voice tinged with scorn, countered, âWhen I was taken to Eurfrica to be sold, werenât you the one who pushed for it?â
Demi retorted desperately, âThatâs absurd! I advised against it-I never supported such actions!â
Sonny chuckled darkly.
âNo worries.
If youâre reluctant to confess, the National Security Bureau will find ways to coax the truth out of you, though the consequences will be far more severe.
â
Demi shivered, retreating behind Coen, her panic palpable.
Coen was equally bewildered.
With all the evidence collected, denial seemed futile.
Moreover, challenging the claims or denying the evidence would Likely result in severe consequences.
They dared not doubt whether the deputy director of the National Security Bureau was bluffing or truly threatening them.
After a momentâs hesitation, he asked, âIf we end up in prison, how long are we looking at?â
Sonnyâs smirk was chilling.
âLifetime sentences.
â
âWhat? No!â
Both Coen and Demi gasped in shock.
Demi whispered urgently, her voice trembling, âHeâs tricking us, right? Accepting that money means admitting to human trafficking, which could lead to life in prison.
What good is money if we canât enjoy it?â
Coen, sobered by the seriousness of the accusation, knew better than to provoke Sonny further.
Attempting to soften the situation, he pleaded, âMy future son-in-law, letâs resolve this as a family matter, shall we? I only took Luisa to Eurfrica for a trip.
It was a misunderstanding, not intentional trafficking.
Surely, we donât deserve life sentences?â
Sonnyâs response was icy.
âThereâs an alternative.
You could sign a document renouncing any claim to Luisa as your daughter and vow never to contact her again.
â
Stunned, Coen weighed his limited options.
Signing the document would mean losing any potential benefits from Luisaâs connection to Sonny.