chapter 5

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Mason, hearing the stern tone and outrage of his boss, tensed up immediately. He stammered, wide-eyed, “Who… who… are you talking about?”

“Are you a fool? The man who’s supposed to collect the debt from you—is he there?” The voice on the other end was seething with anger.

“Oh, that trash? The stupid brave man? Yeah, he’s here, and I’m about to take him out,” Mason said dismissively, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Touch him, and I swear you won’t live to see another sunrise,” his boss growled, the threat hanging heavy in the air. “You have no idea who he is. He’s not someone to mess with. He’s… big. Dangerous. He could kill me, *the boss*, in the blink of an eye.”

Mason’s face paled, his hands trembling slightly. Shivers ran down his spine. If his boss—the leader of five large mafia gangs—was terrified, then this man was far more dangerous than he had imagined.

He swallowed hard, realizing the gravity of the situation. He was doomed.

“Look, I don’t want any problems. Treat him with the utmost respect and hand over the money right away!” his boss barked.

“O… okay, sir. I’ll do it,” Mason stammered. The call abruptly ended.

Mason gulped, his throat dry as he turned toward Bryan, sweat forming on his brow.

Fiona, oblivious to the tension, wouldn’t stop talking. “Look, Bryan, you’re doomed! Their leader called because of you. You’re going to die a horrible death, you foolish, useless man!”

*Smack!*

Fiona’s eyes went wide with shock as her cheek stung with the pain of Mason’s slap. She held her face, bewildered.

Mason knew he had screwed up and needed to redeem himself. He pointed a finger at her, his face stern. “Watch your mouth! You don’t say that to him!”

“Him? Who is ‘him’? Did you just slap me because of this useless fellow?” Fiona asked, incredulous.

“Call him useless again, and I’ll cut your tongue out,” Mason warned through clenched teeth. Fiona went silent, her lips pursed in disbelief.

Mason turned to Bryan, bowing slightly. “I’m… I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were here for the debt. I… I…”

Bryan, maintaining a calm but firm expression, cut him off. “We’re here for the money. Just give it to us, and we’ll be on our way.”

Mason glanced up nervously. “Our boss…” He hesitated, but Bryan shot him a warning look.

Mason quickly corrected himself, his tone still respectful. “We’re so sorry. It’s only logical to repay a debt, and I’m doing that right now.”

He turned to his g**g, barking orders. “What are you waiting for? Count out 300 million dollars, now!”

The thugs were startled, exchanging bewildered glances before Mason roared again, “I said *now*!”

They scrambled to obey, disappearing to fulfill his orders. Fiona stood there, her jaw dropped in disbelief.

Mason, trying to save face, offered Bryan and Tracy a seat and even a drink, but they refused, standing their ground.

Minutes later, the thugs returned, lugging five large briefcases with all their strength. Tracy watched in awe as they loaded the money into their car.

As they were about to leave, Mason bowed deeply, and the rest of his g**g followed suit. Bryan and Tracy drove off, leaving Mason and his men in their wake.

“What just happened?” Tracy asked, still stunned.

“I don’t know. They just started acting strange after that call,” Bryan replied, his brow furrowed.

Tracy couldn’t shake the feeling something big had just occurred. They arrived at the grand house, where the family was gathered for dinner. The two entered, briefcases in hand, and set them down on the table.

“This is the money they owed you,” Bryan said calmly. “So, Tracy is now qualified to be one of the competitors in the family.”

Mr. Collins stared at the briefcases, utterly speechless. The money had been a symbol of war, a constant struggle to obtain, yet Bryan had brought it back as if it were nothing.

“How is this possible? How did this lowlife…?” Dylan began, but Bryan hushed him.

“Shut up, man. I brought the money, didn’t I? Why are you asking how?” Bryan said coolly.

Mr. Collins remained silent, clearly at a loss for words.

“Sir, is she qualified to compete for the Crestview investment deal?” Bryan demanded, his eyes locking onto Mr. Collins.

Mr. Collins glanced up, murmuring, “Actually, yes.”