Third person's POV
The soft sunlight gently bathed the vast ocean, the sea shimmering with a dreamlike radiance.
The large ship, after a night of turmoil, finally regained its calm, drifting effortlessly on the sea like a light leaf.
For the guests on board, the previous night had been nothing short of a catastrophic disaster.
All the ship's infrastructure had been subjected to large-scale, wanton destruction.
ATMs were brutally pried open, the casino left in disarray, and all cash looted clean.
Items that couldn't be taken were either smashed to pieces or utterly ruined.
Wealthy merchants stood naked and disgraced, gamblers with bloodshot eyes, having lost everything, huddled helplessly in corners, too afraid to make a sound.
In such a critical moment, they knew that preserving their lives was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune. Wealth was but an external possession.
Matilda was forcibly dragged to a high place by Alvin. As she witnessed the chaotic scene below, her eyes instantly filled with tears, and she cried out hoarsely, "No, stop it!"
Her heart was flooded with endless regret and terror.
She had never anticipated that her momentary selfishness and hatred would lead to such a catastrophic disaster.
Once, she had acted with impunity on this ship, accustomed to wielding power.
Whenever the boss was absent, she fancied herself the queen, ruling with absolute authority and no constraints.
Recalling her past arrogance, she was filled with remorse, unaware that she had recklessly collided with an unyielding force.
Seeing the boss's years of hard work about to be destroyed, she knelt in despair, looking at Alvin, pleading, "I beg you, stop! I was wrong. I truly know I was wrong. Kill me, chop me up and feed me to the fish, but spare the ship!"
Her thoughts were a chaotic mess. She feared the harshest punishment and deeply blamed herself for her actions.
She knew her transgressions were unforgivable, plunging her into extreme turmoil and agony.
Now, she had guessed that she had provoked a powerful figure who feared no one.
In this world, the law of the jungle is cruel and merciless. The strong make the rules and hold the power over life and death.
Alvin scoffed lightly and said, "When you held power, did you ever show a shred of mercy to others? We tried to settle matters privately with you, but did you give us a chance?"
"I..." Matilda slumped to the ground, mumbling incoherently, unable to form a complete sentence.
Her heart trembled as she sought excuses for herself, only to find none.
She knew her past actions had been too ruthless, leaving no room for the other party.
Alvin's face, hidden behind the mask, showed a cold smile, "You didn't. The only thing in your heart was revenge, not even sparing the innocent and children. Do you know what they, the mother and daughter, mean to him? They—they are his life!"
Matilda shook her head frantically, muttering, "I didn't know. I really didn't know."
Her heart began to sink into deep confusion and bewilderment. She had never thought her vengeful actions would touch such crucial figures, nor had she expected such profound emotional entanglements behind them.
She started to reflect on whether her actions were too impulsive, but it was too late for regrets.
"You stood at the pinnacle of power, controlling the lives of others. Did you ever consider that there might be beings more powerful than you in this world? There are always stronger people, and today's events are the consequences of your own actions, both you and your boss. Watch as the ship is destroyed before your eyes."
Matilda wailed in despair, "No!"
Her heart was filled with fear of the impending doom and profound sorrow for her fate.
Watching the chaos before her was like witnessing the stark contrast between her past glory and present downfall, a disparity that nearly drove her to the brink of collapse.
"The taste of being throttled isn't pleasant, is it? Don't forget, not long ago, you treated a woman and a child the same way. Wasn't she desperate for you to spare her child then?"
Matilda's mind instantly conjured the face of Tabitha. Yes, she had pleaded for mercy, that pitiful image deeply etched in her memory.
"What did you do? Did you give them a chance?"
"You didn't. You thought it was all their bad luck, that they deserved this calamity, and they were just pawns in your revenge scheme, a means to quell your own anger."
Alvin coldly pronounced the final verdict, "Repay the debts you've incurred. Feel the agony of helplessness deeply engraved in your soul, for it is a torment you brought upon yourself."
Matilda, filled with despair, could only watch as their years of hard work were mercilessly demolished.