Chapter 19: Underestimate Me

Leyton's anger flared as Jared continued to laugh. "Jared," he snarled, "it doesn't matter that you know. You're about to die. They're from the Crimson Dragon Gang—ruthless killers. Do you think you'll survive this?"

A menacing expression twisted Leyton's face; his gaze was vicious.

"I think I'll be just fine," Jared smiled, glancing at the dozens of Crimson Dragon gang members. "Didn't Felix warn you all about offending me?"

The gang members froze, scrutinizing Jared.

"Who are you? How do you know Mr. Lawson?" a middle-aged man in a long-sleeved shirt—clearly the leader—asked.

"You don't need to know. Call Felix before you attack," Jared said calmly.

"Stop pretending, Jared! You can't just summon Felix!" Leyton stepped forward. "Don't be afraid! I know this 'jerk'—he's nothing but an ex-convict! Kill him! Two hundred thousand to whoever kills him first, another hundred thousand to whoever attacks him!"

Leyton knew the lure of money; the right incentive would override any rationality.

The promise of two hundred thousand sent the men charging frantically. (The extraneous website promotion has been removed.)

Despite paying the Crimson Dragon Gang handsomely, their individual shares were meager. Watching them rush to their deaths, Jared scoffed, grabbing a large knife. Before anyone reacted, he snapped it in two.

The leading gang member stared in fear at his broken knife. The others were stunned. They hadn't expected him to break a knife barehanded, completely unharmed.

"How?" Leyton's eyes widened in disbelief.

Before anyone could recover, Jared kicked the leading gang member over ten meters, sending him crashing to the ground in front of Leyton. Blood gushed from his mouth; his survival was uncertain.

A grim expression settled on Leyton's face; Sandy cowered behind him.

"Attack! Even if he can stop a knife, you have numbers! Cut him down!" Leyton roared.

The gang members charged again, but Jared moved like a blur, dodging and weaving. He showed no mercy. Within a minute, they were all on the ground, groaning in agony, their limbs broken, but not fatally wounded.

Leyton trembled at the sight; Sandy’s face was pale with terror, avoiding Jared's gaze.

"Is this your best? Are you underestimating me?"

Jared strolled slowly toward Leyton.