As everyone looked on in confusion, Gene snorted, whipped out his checkbook, and wrote a dazzling number.


    "Hmph. In that case-I''m betting a hundred million on the mysterious martial elite to win."


    Though Gene stated that number very calmly, the bookie dropped on his rear in shock.


    But that was Gene Pearce for you-he really went all out from the first stroke.


    In fact, the total bets at the moment totaled up to just 500 million, which means Gene bet made up a fifth of it!


    Everyone around him gasped, but they soon came to their senses.


    "Wait... Which bet did he make?"


    "The fourth!"


    "What? Has he gone senile?"


    "Yeah, how could he believe that Jaden Favoni would lose?"Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    "You don''t get it. The man doesn''t care who wins-the money spent is just to flex."


    "Flex? Really? Throwing away all that money would only convince everyone that he''s stupid."


    While everyone kept yapping around him, Gene remained nonchnt as he continued his jovial chat with Walter.


    The vibes around them were certainly cheerful.


    Backstage, a servant of the Favoni family reported to Titus, "Sir, Gene Pearce has arrived and just made a hundred million bet."


    "Gene Pearce? Really?" Jaden appeared surprised andughed coolly, "Now that''s a big bet. So which bet did he take?"


    "He, uh..." The servant was actually afraid to answer.


    "What? Are you saying he didn''t take the ten strikes bet?" Jaden was at once shocked and annoyed. "Hmph. It seems he really has no faith in us!" "Sir, actually..."


    "What, are you saying he took the hundred strikes bet?"


    Jaden was furious even before the servant could finish, eximing in disbelief, "What''s Gene Pearce''s problem?! This is an insult to us Favonis!"


    "No, sir!" the servant quickly butted in, pursing his parched lips as he braced himself and said, "He didn''t bet on you... He''s betting on the other side!" "What?!" Jaden''s eyes went wide in sheer fury.


    He could ept that Gene was not confident about him winning... but this was way worse!


    He kicked the stool beside him, reducing it to dust and bellowed even as the servant was trembling, "He thinks I would lose to some mysterious man?! He''s way out of line!"


    While Ste sat quietly in a corner, hanging her head, her sister Chelly was scowling just like Jaden. "Gene Pearce has always been our partner, outsourcing his bodyguards and martial artists from us. Is he making a statement here, that he''s cutting us out?"


    "Hmph!"


    Jaden snorted and barked at the servant, "Go make an


    announcement-I''m taking a bet too, that I will take down that cheating loser in ten strikes! I will show Gene Pearce that us Favonis won''t take insults lying down!"


    "How much are you betting, Mr. Favoni?" the servant asked, shuddering.


    "500 million!"


    "500 million?!" The servant was dumbstruck. That was all the money they brought to establish a foothold in Zamri!