Chapter 18 Take A Gamble

• I turned and glanced at Tigre, but he turned his head away and avoided my gaze, rubbing the forefinger of his left hand against his thumb.
• Frowning, Rosalie glared at Howard and chastised, “Don't push it, Howard!”
• Howard ignored her.
• With his arms crossed, he stared at me and began mocking, “Theros, is fighting going to get you anywhere? In this society, it's all about one's background. Hurry up and kneel. Don't waste my time!”
• As I listened to his urge, I took a deep breath. After seeing the signal Tigre sent me earlier, I decided to go all in and take a gamble.
• “Kneel before you? F*ck you!”
• Cursing, I raised my hand and landed a punch on Howard's face.
• Howard stumbled and collapsed onto the couch, blood trickling from his mouth and nose even as his vision blurred.
• Rosalie wanted to pull me away, but I was already caught up in the moment. I landed another kick on Howard's chest and slapped him twice more.
• After doing all that sequence, I was pulled away by Rosalie. Only then did I calm down.
• Panting slightly, I shifted my gaze to the side surreptitiously. Sure enough, Tigre and Linus weren't angry. On the contrary, Tigre even winked at me.
• The action of him rubbing his index finger and thumb together was our secret code in prison. Whenever he made that gesture, it had one meaning—f*ck them up.
• Glimpsing Linus' calm demeanor, I knew my gamble had paid off. Nonetheless, puzzlement lingered within me. Why did he want me to hit Howard? The latter is the son of the district leader. Is he not afraid of offending his father?
• Howard wiped the blood trickling down his nose, his face a picture of panic.
• “What's the meaning of this, Linus? Aren't you going to do anything about him hitting me?”
• “As I said earlier, Mr. Zimmer, I won't interfere in the matter between you both. It's not my fault that you're not his match!”
• Linus' smile was innocently harmless. It was as though he felt aggrieved that Howard blamed him.
• “Fine! Just you wait!”
• Utterly humiliated, Howard was too ashamed to stay any longer. He shot to his feet and left in a huff with a glare in my direction.
• I snorted. He's all talk and no action.
• “Theros, Rosalie, come and sit here!”
• Tigre beckoned at me with a smile. Pulling Rosalie along, I took a seat beside Tigre after glancing at Linus.
• To be honest, sitting across from Linus made me feel a bit uneasy. Linus looked at me and smiled.
• “You've got some nerve, kid. Do you know that his father is our district leader and the consequences of laying a hand on him?”
• My mind whirred, and I feigned nonchalance.
• “So be it. I'll bear the consequences myself! Besides, I think Dreamouth is your territory, Mr. Linus. Even if his father is the district leader, he still has to show you respect.”
• “Haha...”
• Linus and Tigre laughed in unison. Meanwhile, I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that my flattery had hit the mark.
• “You're quite savvy, Theros!” Linus complimented.
• Then, he continued, “As you said, what's done is done. You don't need to bother about this matter. I'll handle it for you!”
• At the side, Tigre also chimed in, “Mr. Linus has had enough with that guy for a long time, Theros. Earlier, he put on airs here incessantly. Those who know him would be aware his father is the district leader, but those ignorant would mistake his father for a terrorist! But we couldn't lay a hand on him since he's just a kid. It can be said that you've helped get back at him for Mr. Linus!”
• I merely chuckled without saying anything, aware that Tigre was praising me to improve Linus' impression of me.
• Looking at me, Linus declared, “From now on, Theros, you're one of our own. Do your best at Tigre's place. If there's any trouble, I will sort it out for you!”
• Just as I was about to thank him, he continued, Don't take the matter of that lucky charm to heart, Theros. It was just an exaggeration! You can't trust the words of a charlatan fully! Just follow me and work hard, and you'll have everything you want!”
• Upon hearing that, I found myself unable to smile anymore.
• I can't trust the prophecy fully... but I couldn't disregard it either. Is he truly unbothered about this matter, or... is he merely warning me subtly? Moreover, he told me to follow him. Is this an acknowledgment of me and also an attempt to win me over?
• “Thank you, Mr. Linus. I'll definitely do my best!” I gushed pretentiously.
• “Alright. Go and send your girlfriend home first. Come again at eight tonight!” Linus said mildly.
• I knew that it was a hint for me to leave, for he had some matters to discuss with Tigre and Matthias after that.
• Thus, I tactfully left with Rosalie.
• As soon as we stepped out of Bellaros Karaoke, Rosalie looked at me with a hint of concern.
• “Theros, how did you end up mingling with Linus and his crew?”
• Upon hearing that, I was taken aback.
• “You know Linus, Rosalie?”
• “I've seen him before, but he doesn't know me.”
• Rosalie paused for a moment before she sighed and went on, “While dining in the cafeteria with my classmates last year, I witnessed him and a few of his lackeys beating the owner of a pasta stall in the cafeteria bloodied!”