Betrayed Into Wealth

Chapter 5

“Wait!” Brian shouted as the four men advanced toward him.

They stopped in their tracks. Toni smiled faintly, as if anticipating that reaction. It seemed to him that it was only a matter of time before the skinny young man in front of him gave up and chose to retreat safely.

“That’s the right decision,” Toni said casually. “Rather than wasting your time and energy, it’s better to retreat. Two hundred million isn’t much. But I don’t intend to pay it anyway.”

Brian took a deep breath. His chest heaved, not out of fear alone, but from controlling his emotions.

“I’m not going to retreat,” he said calmly. “I just want to clarify the rules of the game.”

“Huh?” Toni raised an eyebrow. “Rules of the game?”

Toni’s gaze swept over Brian’s body from head to toe. His body was ordinary, even looking thin and weak. His skin was pale, his shoulders were not broad. Never mind facing four people at once, even facing one would be enough to knock him out.

“You want to make rules with me?” Toni asked, his voice dismissive. “Isn’t that wrong?”

“Yes,” Brian replied. “Everything has its pros and cons. I don’t want to waste my energy for nothing.”

Toni chuckled. To him, hearing such a remark so early in the morning felt like amusement. This young man was either truly bold, or simply ignorant.

“Tell me. What do you want?”

Brian looked at Toni directly, without hesitation. “These four men are free to attack me. But if I defeat them, you must give me the money I promised. If I lose, I will withdraw and not demand anything.”

The remark caused the room to roar with laughter. Some even shook their heads in disbelief. In their eyes, Brian was nothing but a dreamer. With such a skinny frame, he dreamed of defeating four burly men who were clearly stronger and more experienced.

“Are you sure?” Toni asked, still smiling.

“I’m sure.”

Toni clapped his hands lightly. “Okay. This is interesting. Not bad for morning entertainment. You’ve got me fired up.”

“Deal,” Brian replied curtly.

“But remember,” Toni continued, his voice turning colder. “No bargaining. If any of your limbs are damaged or left behind, don't blame us. You make the rules.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Brian was well aware that he was risking everything. Logically, his chances were slim. The four men were well-built, their muscles clearly trained. As for him? He didn't even know any martial arts.

His only asset was his experience in school brawls, which were long gone and never really useful.

But Brian had no choice. If he backed down, he was sure the system wouldn't let him. And on the other hand, the anger he'd been pent up since last night was threatening to explode.

Consider this an outlet.

“I'll imagine Lily and Alex's faces,” Brian muttered to himself.

They moved to the yard. People stood in a circle, creating an empty space in the middle. It looked like an impromptu fighting ring.

Bugt!

The first punch landed on Brian's face before he could prepare.

Bugt!

The second punch followed. Brian's body was pushed back. The four men took turns, striking him mercilessly. Brian was the target, his body like a ball being tossed around. Pain radiated throughout his body, and blood began to trickle from the corner of his lips.

Toni watched with a relaxed expression. To him, this was as expected.

Brian staggered, nearly falling. He wiped the blood from his lips with the back of his hand. His vision began to darken, and his head throbbed. Amidst the blur, Lily and Alex's faces appeared clearly in his mind. Their disdainful smiles, their insulting words, their unrequited betrayal.

And something changed.

Brian attacked.

His movements were wild, without a clear pattern, but full of power. He struck, dodged, and then struck again all at once. His body moved reflexively, as if knowing what to do.

The four men were shocked. They hadn't expected Brian to still be standing, let alone fight back.

One man fell to the ground after Brian struck him in the neck. A second man fell with a gasp as his knee swept him away. A third man collapsed after a hard blow landed directly in the pit of his stomach.

Toni stood up straight, the smile on his face fading.

Only one person remained standing before Brian.

"Do you want to continue or give up?" Brian asked, his breathing heavy but his eyes sharp.

"Never give up!" the man shouted.

He drew a sharp weapon and attacked. Several people around him were shocked. This was a clear violation of the agreement. But Toni didn't stop him.

Brian took a step back, then parried the attack.

Slap!

With one swift movement, Brian struck his opponent's wrist, knocking the weapon loose. The next blow sent the man crashing to the ground, unable to get up.

The courtyard was suddenly silent.

Brian stood in the center of the circle, his body covered in wounds, his breathing labored. He moved his hands slowly, then looked at Toni.

"I won," Brian said. "According to the agreement and the rules of the game, I should get the money. There's no way someone like you would break a promise."

Toni stared at Brian for a long moment. His face was serious.

"Who are you?" Toni asked.

"Just an ordinary person," Brian replied. "Just give me the money, and our business today is over. None of this would have happened if you had kept your promise from the start."