Back in 2014, when Dino was sent to prison, the Koenigsegg Regera was all the rage. The RS hadn't even been developed yet. Not to mention the latest Aston Martin Vulcan, or the legendary non-production D16. Even the Hennessey Venom wasn't widely known.
Inside the prison, there were no car news updates, and Dino didn't have the habit of reading newspapers. So when Leon casually mentioned these three cars, Dino froze—like an ignorant schoolboy who didn't understand a word the adults were saying.
"Heh," Leon said with a cold, merciless mockery.
Dino was the typical show-off rich guy, always bragging about his wealth and possessions. Until a true master comes along to publicly humiliate him, making him a laughingstock. And that's exactly what was happening now.
Leon repeatedly challenged him, giving him no face whatsoever. Dino, humiliated and furious, slammed the table.
"Who the hell are you?!" he roared.
Leon's calm demeanor made Dino wary. Unsure of his opponent's true identity, Dino dared not act recklessly. His worst fear was offending a big shot and losing everyone's support. So he tried to probe Leon's background, expecting him to be evasive. But Leon boldly announced:
"West Coast Car God… Leon," he said confidently, his voice firm, exuding authority. Just having him here seemed to solve all problems, like a leader whose presence commands respect.
Dino froze, staring for a few seconds, stunned by Leon's high-profile status. But then a sly smile appeared, slowly growing into a full-blown, arrogant laugh.
"Hahaha! West Coast? That backwater place? How could it possibly have a Car God?" Dino sneered. "A rural area can't compare to New York. You think O'Neall's a pushover?"
O'Neall's reputation was immense, even more influential than Dominique. Born into wealth, everyone wanted his favor. In the capitalist world of the U.S., money equaled status. But fame without skill meant nothing.
"You say O'Neall? He's lying in a hospital now," Leon replied with a smirk. "If you have any decency, bring him some fruit. The Wi-Fi there is super fast, 5G even—you wouldn't understand."
The naked sarcasm made Dino's face burn with shame. He had no dignity left. Members of Tobey's team smirked knowingly. Benny and Anita whipped out their phones, ready to film. Benny loved causing trouble, and Anita, fueled by hatred, relished seeing her enemy humiliated.
Just being released from prison and already encountering Leon—Dino's luck was abysmal. Anita's smirk widened. The worse Dino's luck, the happier she was.
"F***!" Dino shouted violently. "I don't care who you are on the West Coast! When I'm on the East Coast, I am the king! Tobey's nothing!"
He was frenzied, face red, hands raised in excitement. "I've already sent a request to Monark. This year's Leon Cup will redefine the Car God!"
Dino pulled up a video on his phone and placed it on the table. On the screen, a car was racing furiously, shot from a drone above. The vehicle was a blue Pagani. Its aggressive styling justified the 30+ million price tag. Even the Ferrari LaFerrari couldn't compete.
The rear end featured an exaggerated spoiler and massive diffuser, giving it an F1-race aura. Aerodynamic design included large air intakes and extra winglets. Powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine, it was the undisputed track king.
"I recently got an interesting video," Monark's voice played. "It's the Pagani, challenging to redefine the East Coast Car God. Tobey's top speed is 480 km/h. Let's see what it can do."
The Pagani raced like the wind, leaving black tire marks and smoke in its wake. On corners, thick clouds of tire smoke followed its path.
"Already past 400 km/h?" Monark exclaimed. "What's the top speed?"
The speed kept climbing. The video finally cut to the speedometer: 513 km/h—far surpassing Tobey's 480 km/h. This Pagani, fully modified, had massive performance upgrades.
The crowd cheered. Monark added: "513 km/h! A new East Coast legend! Let's see if he's legit."
The Pagani came to a stop. Dino stepped out, beaming with pride, exuding arrogance as though he were the strongest.
"Oh, s***," someone muttered. It was Dino, showing off in front of Monark.
Dino's pride froze when Monark spoke—sharp, cutting words that left him no face. The aura he had painstakingly built collapsed in an instant. Everyone laughed.
"Still, 513 km/h is impressive," Monark admitted, scratching his chin. "The Leon Cup welcomes you. The Car God battles require grand events, like the Indy Racing League in the U.S., full of professionals. Dino once won the league championship. If the Leon Cup becomes a prestigious event, it will enhance its influence across the country—even nationwide."
Hearing Monark's praise, everyone watching the video applauded.
"I know Dino. After a few years in prison, his skills have improved. Amazing. Even after five years, he's still top-tier," they commented.
The original Leon Cup had been explosive. Dino was humiliated, imprisoned, and his story became legendary. Now, his return naturally caused a stir.
"But 500 km/h? To challenge the West Coast's Car God, that might not be enough," Monark added. The West Coast Car God sat just in front of Tobey and his team.
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