DEVI
"Hooh!"
I can't count how many times I've sighed heavily, but my heart keeps racing in my chest.
I should feel grateful for landing a job so soon after resigning—more like being fired, I suppose. And then there's my affluent boss who assigned me my first task: withdrawing money...money I have no clue about—
Well, now I know where that cold hard cash will be used.
Why are we here? Is my boss involved in some kind of betting activity? Maybe, since wealthy individuals often gamble on something they find amusing; I guess my boss is one of those.
It's an underground fighting venue, and it seems like my boss intends to wager everything he's brought.
Haha!
Hooh.
Forget it. I don't want to think about anything further. Here I am, clutching a briefcase, trailing behind my boss. I can hear noise coming from within the place. We passed numerous people on our way in, and my boss seemed indifferent to them. After walking for what felt like ages, we finally reached the office.
Several individuals are seated inside. One person, positioned in the central seat behind a table adorned with various belt awards on the wall behind him, appears to be the main boss. An elderly man with a cane is on the left sofa, two people stand behind him, and one other person, at first sight, gives off a bad vibe. His eyes are sharp and piercing, glaring at my boss with evident disdain. He didn't even try to conceal his contempt, while some muscular men loitered by the walls on either side.
Every gaze was fixed on my boss, examining what sort of person he was. The man immediately illuminated his face with a smile and inquired, "Are you the one we've been waiting for?" His eyes remained locked on my boss, trying to gauge the unknown figure stepping into his territory.
However, judging by the grin on his face, it wasn't likely he was impressed, but rather intrigued.
The old man also scrutinized my boss with a furrowed brow. "Is he one of the competitors? He certainly doesn't appear to be one."
Huh?
My boss is actually going to fight? He's not merely here to gamble...but to compete?
Then—
I glanced at the pile of cash behind the old man's seat.
Is that for his own wager then?
My boss, at first glance, is definitely not the sort of participant who regularly enters the ring. His skin is unblemished, his muscles well-defined, lacking the distinguishing bulges typical of fighters. He is youthful and handsome, clearly someone raised in privilege with better surroundings, not in a violent environment. Anyone could easily tell he is not a combatant, yet someone like him is about to step into the arena.
My boss scanned the room and fixated on one particular individual. "Yes, I was invited. It would be rude not to accept the sincere invitation extended to me." I bit my lip and rolled my eyes at the person he was focused on.
I could tell he was the one who invited my boss. Psh! How pathetic. I can sense he is a manipulative schemer. He reminds me of my previous bosses—those detestable people who could smile like a devil while believing things would always unfold according to their wishes. Someone who presumes they have already secured victory before the fight even begins.
Ugh! He spoiled my mood.
"Well. It's nice to meet someone new...fresh."
I stood firmly two steps back next to my boss, staring blankly into space as I listened to their dialogue. It was ridiculous that they were smiling while their flattering remarks were nothing but absurdly critical, particularly that deceitful snake grinning widely. He thinks he's charming and cool, but he's merely a hypocritical fool.
I could only sigh internally and cast a sidelong glance at the person standing behind the old man without turning my head.
What the hell is he doing?
I sensed someone was watching me and felt compelled to discover who the hell was observing me. But what? It's that guy behind the old man. Why is he staring at me? He looked up at me and smiled. I returned the smile and tucked my hair behind my ear, then adjusted my glasses with my middle finger. I made sure he saw my utmost sincerity.
Hahahaha!
His smile disappeared instantly, replaced by a glare. Whatever. I just wore a mocking grin and raised my brow, looking at him with blatant disdain and rolling my eyes.
You think you look appealing smiling at me? Trying to flirt and charm me? Are you even worthy?
I dismissed him and shifted my focus back to the conversation.
"Since I've already expressed my thoughts, do you have any objections? Although, even if you do, the arrangements can't be altered now."
The snake smirked and tilted his chin, looking down on my boss. Ugh! He truly resembles my boss from the past. It's infuriating. I felt nauseous just at the sight of his ugly face.
My boss pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He shook his head with a smile and confidence. "I have no objections whatsoever. I'm not petty enough to retaliate over trivial matters. I'm fine with any arrangement."
Both individuals glanced at the snake-man, who averted his gaze and looked at my boss with disdain.
Huh?
That snake-man arranged for my boss to fight without his consent? How childish.
"But... it wouldn't be exciting if I'm the only one fighting."
Silence enveloped the room, but before anyone could respond, my boss smiled at the snake-man. "What if we place a bet?"
The snake-man straightened up and grinned. "Sure. I'm game, let's bet as we did last time."
My boss merely laughed and shook his head. "The last bet was a mere drop in the ocean; let's raise the stakes," he said, gesturing to me. I set the attached case on the table and opened it. "A paltry ten million doesn't satisfy me, so I'm upping it to ten times that. One hundred million. What do you think? Is that acceptable?"
It may sound like innocent, polite wording, but behind his words lay a provocative implication aimed at one person.
Everyone present had their eyes wide open, staring at the pristine stack of cash. It was dazzling and tempting. Just looking at it could make you drool, and you could feel the urge to rub it against your body. It was invigorating. The alluring scent of money filled the four corners of the room.
I smirked slightly.
They appeared to be clueless fools gazing at the money as if it was their first encounter. Not that they hadn't seen such wealth before, considering their lavish attire, especially the old man who exuded the aura of nobility with dignity.
The snake man stared at the money, his eyes wide with disbelief. He was so taken aback that he swallowed his words of defiance along with his saliva. How pitiful.
"One—one hundred million?"
Ohohoho. Who knew he could even stammer? I assumed he only knew how to ridicule and act superior.
Indeed. There's nothing as influential as money. Money makes the world operate. Money causes people to drool like a stray dog. Money brings them down to their knees, begging to be showered with those cold hard bills. Being smacked by money leaves anyone at a loss for words.
Psh!
I'm also one of those people. Bohoho! I also desire money! I crave money! I'm desperate for cash! Waaaahhh!
Cass mentioned that he is generous. He even gifted Cass a watch worth millions, so I will align myself with him. I will venerate him! I will carve a statue if he grants me at least one million after this event.
Hah!
Observing the expressions of the stunned crowd, I leaned in and whispered, ensuring everyone could hear despite the quietness. "Boss, it seems he isn't content. What if I go out and get even more? Perhaps ten times this amount? It wouldn't empty your card if we add more."
My boss furrowed his brows. He looked at me with a loaded expression, then glanced at the snake. He raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and his words came out with significance. "Oh, I understand. Perhaps I should consider that. Is this insufficient? I could get more if you wish. Money is something I have plenty of; how much should we increase?"
'Cough!'
A sudden cough, followed by chuckling, turned our attention to him. The arena's owner was covering his mouth while trying to suppress his laughter but eventually burst out.
"I heard that. However, I believe it's unnecessary. I doubt the opposing party could come up with ten times your wager."
Upon hearing those words, the snake's face contorted into an unattractive grimace. He was drenched in sweat, swallowing hard as he greedily eyed the money, then his expression quickly soured. His face was twisted, as if he had swallowed a glass of vinegar and consumed something repulsive.
From his words and that ugly demeanor, I seriously doubt a man like him could even muster up 100 million. Unless he's corrupt—I'm completely convinced he is; he could only gather that much by selling whatever assets he possesses or taking out a loan.
One hundred million is not a trivial sum. You could purchase a building for that amount. You could own a high-end car or acquire an extravagant villa somewhere in the Central where everything is expensive with such a glittering figure.
But I highly doubt he possesses it. It would leave him as broke as a stray.
"Tss! Don't be so full of yourself, kid. Just because you have a lot of money doesn't mean you can throw it around carelessly. I'm genuinely worried that this kind of expenditure will lead to heartache for you. It's not a good look for someone your age to be wasting their parents' money. You should think about using it wisely. This kind of behavior sets a poor example for the younger generation. How old are you, anyway? You appear younger than my college-aged kid." His comments come off as concern for someone from a younger generation, like my boss, and the smug expression on his face as he tries to assert his authority simply because he's older is rather ridiculous.
I nearly chuckled, but managed to hold it back. Cass told me his age; he's three years my junior, yet he looks like a college student, especially when he lets his hair down. Dress him in typical college attire, throw on a backpack, and he'd blend perfectly as a student without a doubt. Yet, he's far too attractive just to be a student. Perhaps he's more suited to being a celebrity or a model.
After hearing those ridiculous comments, my boss merely smirks at him. "I don't have any family. I've been on my own since high school, and... I gladly accept the compliment of being younger than your college kid despite being 32—well, I'm still young. But I appreciate your concern. It serves as a reminder that not everyone can so easily throw around a hundred million."
The snake man's face turned an ugly shade of purple from anger and mortification. Who did he think he was, disrespecting my boss? Tss! He's unworthy.
"You! You—"
"Just admit you can't afford to make a bet. Don't be so arrogant as to think your little words of concern could sway me. I know how things really work in this world. Tsk! I've even made preparations to handle this small amount, while you can't even come up with this much." He even made a face of disappointment toward the snake man. "Never mind. Maybe this is too much for you. Winning or losing doesn't concern me much, but if you're not interested in winning this amount, then—"
Right as my boss was about to wrap things up, the snake man screeched, "Wait!"
I noticed a slight smile appear on my boss's face. Clearly, the bait had worked on the foolish ugly snake who was, quite ironically, not a fish at all!
"Hmp! That's just a hundred million, a small sum. Fine, I'll match your bet."
"Are you certain?" my boss inquired, sounding a bit doubtful. The snake man scoffed and glared at my boss with a greedy, cunning look.
"I can easily manage a meager amount like that. I intended to give you some insight into your situation, but since you're so eager to gamble this much, I suppose I have no choice but to accept. Just don't come crying to me when you lose everything," he said with an air of arrogance.
My boss merely nodded and proceeded to close the case. "Of course, as I've said, money is not something I lack. I apologize if I misjudged you. I just assumed you wouldn't be able to gather this much. But since you have what I have..." He extended his hand for a handshake. "Let's finalize the deal for a hundred million."
The man reached out his hand, his eyes shining with a deadly intent. "Deal."
Goodness. That man is utterly oblivious. Didn't he pay attention to my boss's words, or is he simply foolish?
Perhaps my boss excels at provoking others, or maybe it's just that foolish and petty individuals are easily enticed by small tricks. Regardless, my boss has a tendency to manipulate in order to seize opportunities.