Tiger finally agreed to meet with Lucas. He took a sip of his tea and asked, "Mr. Petterson, why are you here after trying to meet me so many times?"Lucas had attempted to meet Tiger several times but was consistently ignored. Despite claiming to be the young heir of the Pettersons in Dortmund, Tiger seemed uninterested in their affairs. It was only today that he found some free time and decided to see what Lucas wanted.Tiger didn't even request tea for Lucas.Lucas smiled and said, "Mr. Kirkby, I've come to discuss something very important.""Go ahead," Tiger replied, not lifting his gaze.Lucas continued. "Mr. Kirkby, you're the top figure in Salt City's underworld. But with the recent crackdowns, I imagine life hasn't been easy for you."Tiger put down his teacup.It was true that the crackdowns had made life challenging for their circle. Some of his associates had even gone legit. As for Tiger, he did have some business assets, but they weren't substantial."Get to the
"Mr. Kirkby!" When Tiger gave the order to leave, Lucas began to feel uneasy. "I know you're into underground fighting. Your two fighters got beaten. Don't you want to get back on top?"Tiger froze. It was true that Eric had injured two of his fighters, and one was still recovering.Seeing Tiger's silence, Lucas felt hopeful. He seemed to have struck a chord with Tiger.As the leader of Salt City's underworld, Tiger couldn't stand his fighters being defeated. Losing money was one thing, but losing respect was even worse.Tiger finally spoke. "Can you provide me with better fighters?""Yes!" Lucas nodded eagerly. "The Pettersons invest millions annually in training fighters. They might not match King City's powerhouses, but they're quite capable. I have a fighter with King City experience."Tiger leaned back. He had spent years grooming fighters, and the two injured fighters were his best. However, they weren't qualified for underground fights in King City. He knew formidable figh
Tiger confirmed the time and location, then asked Big Sis to pass the message to Eric. They were meeting at Tiger's upscale place, Aqua Oasis, which stayed open during the day.Upon arrival, Eric told the waiter why he was there. The waiter quickly took him inside, showing that Tiger had made arrangements.Shortly after, the waiter led Eric to a hot spring area, where Tiger relaxed in a pool, surrounded by two beautiful women.The waiter whispered to Tiger, "Mr. Kirkby, the guest is here! He's alone!"Tiger turned to Eric with a smile. "I thought you might not show up or would bring others. Your courage reminds me of my youth!"He clapped, and a group of stunning women in bikinis approached.Eric might have been tempted in the past, but things had changed. After enjoying fine food, returning to his old ways was unappealing. However, Tiger's lifestyle was undeniably luxurious.Tiger pointed to the women. "Choose a few you like. They'll take care of you!"Eric replied, "Mr. Kirkb
Jasmine had taken a bold risk by placing her hopes on Eric in such a situation. If Eric had claimed not to know her, she would have faced a terrible fate. Yet, she had gambled right this time.Regaining his composure, Tiger said, "Brook is your brother-in-law, and you'd eventually hear about these things from him. Let me give you a quick rundown for now."In the underworld, apart from me, there are other influential figures, like Big Sis. While Big Sis and Brook's methods may not be as ruthless, their actions aren't very merciful either. Many others are even less forgiving."Many of the girls in my club are brought here by them. Every year, I provide them with money. These girls get replaced annually, and after leaving my place, they end up as valuable assets for other establishments. Still, their lives don't get any better."Eric understood. Beneath the glamorous facade, a dirty business thrived. Despite efforts to crack down on it for years, these illicit activities persisted due
Eric nodded and said, "Yes, it's only been four months. Testing my abilities was just one reason. The other was that someone in my family strongly opposed it."Tiger suddenly grasped the situation. It turned out that Sylvia was the reason Eric avoided getting involved in underground fights despite the attractive prize money. This explained Eric's reluctance—their affection ran deep.Tiger sighed, seemingly reflecting on past regrets, then nodded and said, "I understand now that Ms. Williams is against it."Shifting the conversation, Tiger asked, "Have you met Lucas Petterson?""Lucas?" Eric's furrowed brow indicated his familiarity with Lucas.Tiger continued. "This morning, Lucas approached me, seeking my connections to deal with the Williams and Sonnex families. Initially, I declined, but he dangled the prospect of experienced fighters from King City. It got me thinking."Eric fell silent but quickly regained his composure. If Tiger shared this information, he might not agree t
After their conversation, Eric departed.Mainly, Tiger discussed the matter of underground fighting with him, but he didn't expect Eric to fight right away.Jasmine was now in a different attire, waiting outside Aqua Oasis. When she spotted Eric, she rushed toward him."Eric!" Jasmine called out.Eric furrowed his brow, nearly forgetting about Jasmine."Do you need something else?" Eric asked, eager to return to Williams Corp. He needed to inform the Williams and Sonnexes about Lucas' actions and take preventive measures."I didn't know you knew Tiger too," Jasmine said, studying Eric. She had heard Tiger address Eric as "Mr. Johnson." Such respect indicated Eric's significance in Tiger's eyes.David had informed her about Tiger's identity. He had mentioned that if Tiger took interest in her, her life would change, though the likelihood was slim.However, Jasmine couldn't help but notice that Eric had transformed since their breakup. Even Tiger addressed him as "Mr. Johnson", a
As newcomers, the Pettersons needed a lot of money, which they couldn't afford. Making matters worse, the Williams and Sonnexes were already forming alliances and strengthening their positions. This made it even harder for the Pettersons to enter the scene.Sylvia cautioned, "We need to be careful. Lucas isn't trustworthy." She knew Lucas well—he was deceitful and relentless in pursuing his goals.-At Sonnex Corp.Irvin showed little concern. "I'm familiar with the Pettersons. They're the top family in Dortmund, known for a history of violence. It's logical for them to approach Tiger.""But don't worry, Eric," Irvin reassured. "They won't be much of a threat here in Salt City."Eric nodded, not because Irvin was arrogant but because the Sonnexes had a strong history in Salt City. On the other hand, the Pettersons were unlikely to pose a significant threat.Still, the Williams and Sonnexes agreed on one thing: while the Pettersons might not be a major danger, caution was essenti
At the Williams residence.Two well-dressed men stood at the entrance, appearing imposing and possibly serving as bodyguards. Their defined cheekbones and rough hands hinted at their expertise in martial arts.Eric and Sylvia exchanged confused glances. They knew they had never hired bodyguards of this caliber before, which raised questions about the visitor's identity and purpose.Shortly after, Sylvia's brothers returned home, all curious about the distinguished guest who warranted such vigilant protection. The presence of these bodyguards hinted that this visitor was not an ordinary person.Upon entering the living room, they discovered a woman engaged in conversation with Henry. She exuded elegance and grace, her appearance comparable to Sylvia's.Eric and the group were baffled. They didn't recognize this woman and had never seen her before."Ah, here they are." Henry chuckled and pointed to his children. "These are my kids, all around your age."He introduced them one by o