"Fifty billion!"
Victor Qian's arm trembled when he heard that number. His eyes widened in shock, and he almost bit his tongue!
All of the Summer family's assets combined—including their real estate and everything else—add up to about that much.
River City can't compare to a super-tier city like Seacrest. Even the Li family, richest in all of Haizhou, has a total worth of only about six billion.
The Summer family isn't just gambling their entire family's fate on this—they're also pushing the Lis right into the eye of the storm.
The Lis are the house for this round, offering 1:1.5 odds. In other words, if the Summer family's fifty billion wins, the Lis will have to pay out seventy-five billion!
If that money changes hands, the Summers will instantly become number one in Haizhou, and the Lis will be wiped out!
"That's right, President Sawyer Summer said it himself." The manager's face was pale—he was just as shaken by the amount.
Victor Qian hesitated for a long time, then turned to look at Aiden Li beside him.
Aiden Li had been sipping his tea, but when he heard that, his pupils shrank. He jerked his head around and stared at the Summer family's box.
None of the rooms had any barriers in front, so when Aiden Li looked over, he saw Sawyer Summer was staring right back at him.
Sawyer Summer—the same man who'd just recovered from illness and then used an iron fist to purge his entire family—looked calm. Meeting Aiden Li's gaze, he nodded slightly, totally at ease.
"Dad, isn't this bet a bit too much?" Summer Mu asked worriedly. He trusted Evan Lin, but five billion wasn't just five million or fifty million.
"Winner takes all, loser gets nothing. That's how it works. I saw what your friend can do—he's definitely no ordinary guy. Besides, our Summer family and the Lis were bound to clash sooner or later. During the company restructuring, I checked a lot of accounts. Your second uncle and eldest uncle teamed up with the Lis to try and swallow Summer assets. Honestly, tonight's showdown just brings the fight forward."
Sawyer Summer spoke softly: "Five billion—if we lose, we're left with nothing. If we win, Summer Group will officially rule Haizhou, and we can aim even higher."
"Life's short. Sure, you can't talk ice with summer bugs, but being too cautious is just petty. I spent my first half fighting in business and on the battlefield; for the second half, it's either retire in peace or shoot straight to the top."
"Worst case, it's just death."
"From the day you were born, I know you've resented me. You never cared about money—you just wanted a normal life. But the burden you've carried is the Summer family's rise, and it's heavy. If we lose, you'll still have the White Dragon Mountain Resort and can live a modest, carefree life. If we win, then you have to accept your fate and step up as the family's next leader."
Sawyer Summer's voice was calm, but his words made Summer Mu bow his head and fall silent.
He'd always been forced to accept the role of second-generation heir. Money didn't mean much to him. Hearing Sawyer's words, Summer Mu sighed and couldn't be bothered to argue anymore.
"President Li, what should we do about this bet?"
Victor Qian asked Aiden Li cautiously—this was now a matter of the family's survival.
Aiden Li didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned to Elder Gordon Jin, who sat there with a shaved head and a sharp, intimidating look. Slowly, Aiden said, "Elder Jin, if something unexpected happens and Lin Yi actually defeats my masked fighter, would you be willing to step in and kill Lin Yi on the spot?"
"Afterwards, the Li family will pay you ten billion as a reward."
Aiden Li spoke calmly, watching Elder Jin.
Ten billion was no small sum—even for Medicine King Valley, ten billion was a huge payday.
Elder Jin snorted coldly. "Nice calculation, President Li. If I step in, you'll pocket fifty billion and only give me ten. How generous of you."
"Let's not drag this out. I want forty billion."
As soon as Elder Jin finished, Victor Qian and the manager broke out in a cold sweat.
These people were tossing around billions like it was nothing—absolutely terrifying.
Aiden Li was surprisingly straightforward, laughing heartily. "Alright, forty billion it is."
With Elder Jin on our side, what could the Li family possibly have to worry about?"
Aiden Li put down his tea, stood up, and walked to the front. Hands behind his back, he glanced once at the Summer family's box, then turned to face the crowd on both floors and called out loudly, "Everyone, quiet down!"
Aiden Li's voice boomed like a bell—clearly, he was no stranger to martial arts.
"Stop the noise—Aiden Li has something to say!"
"What's he going to announce now?"
"The richest guy in Haizhou—no one saw him for years, and now he comes back with a bang. Guess some things never change."
Plenty of people looked up, turning their attention to Aiden Li.
When the crowd quieted down, Aiden Li continued, "I just heard that President Sawyer Summer of Summer Group wants to make a fifty-billion wager with the Li family."
Aiden Li spoke slowly and firmly, every word ringing out.
"A fifty-billion wager!"
"Did I hear that right? Sawyer Summer never gambled before!"
"Holy crap—fifty billion!"
As Aiden Li spoke, the crowd erupted. Tons of people craned their necks, staring at the Summer family's box and at Sawyer Summer, who sat there looking totally relaxed—everyone was shocked.
"Fifty billion!" Even the Liu family's old patriarch trembled slightly at the news, stunned.
Rachel Liu and the others' eyes went wide in disbelief.
"A fifty-billion bet?" Warren Wang frowned.
Victor Zhao looked amazed. "Who would've thought—the Summers spent a month restructuring, and now Sawyer Summer's putting it all on the line?"
"Holy crap, this is huge! This is headline news!" Wang Qitong slapped his leg—hard enough that the smack landed on Jason Zhao sitting next to him.
With a loud smack, Jason Zhao—who'd been scheming about how to mess with that Lin Yi kid way out in Minghai—suddenly felt his thigh burning and jumped up in pain.
"Ah! Sorry, slipped—my hand's numb from the shock anyway." Wang Qitong said to Jason, but his face showed zero remorse.
He just couldn't stand Jason Zhao—always thought he was a poser.
"N-no problem." Jason forced a weak smile. He didn't dare go head-to-head with Wang Qitong, the Wang family's young master—otherwise he'd be wiped out in seconds.
"Good, glad you're fine. Come on, sit down, sit down. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll smack my own leg by accident—and ouch, that would hurt." Wang Qitong grinned at Jason, acting all concerned but totally shameless.