Noah returned to the cafe with a sleek black suitcase containing the hundred thousand dollars in cash. The woman and her two enforcers were already waiting, their expressions showing greedy anticipation mixed with composure.
He placed the suitcase on the table between them with a decisive thud that made the weight of the money audible.
But before allowing them to touch it or verify the contents, Noah held up his hand. "Papers first. Sign the settlement agreement and release of all claims, exactly as you promised."
The woman's smile tightened slightly at his insistence on proper procedure, but she couldn't refuse without revealing the scam's true nature. She withdrew the prepared documents and signed them.
"Now we need witnesses," Noah stated firmly, gesturing toward the cafe staff. "Independent third parties to verify this transaction occurred and the settlement was properly executed."
