Chapter 601:
He didnât have that much money, and he was sure that his uncle wouldnât pay that kind of money for an unfamiliar person. Santino, struggling to keep his cool, stammered, âYouâre joking, right? How could a young woman like her owe so much?â
Allison only raised an eyebrow, looking at him as if he were hopelessly dense.
âMr. Barker, if you doubt it, Muisvedoâs casino will happily confirm. Feel free to verify,â she said coolly.
Santino was left speechless. Just hearing âMuisvedoâ again sent a cold sweat down his back. That place wasnât somewhere anyone could mess around with. Even the most powerful could lose everything there.
Anyone who racked up tens of millions in debt there was nothing more than a desperate gambler. The realization sank in with brutal clarity.
Santino finally understood heâd been played. The sympathy heâd felt for Melany vanished, replaced by the crushing sensation that his world was caving in around him.
Ferdinand, lounging nearby with his chin propped on his hand, chuckled. âMr. Barker, didnât you say you were going to pay her debt? Why so quiet now?â
Some onlookers, noticing Santino clenching his fists, joined in, smirking and laughing. âDidnât listen to good advice, and now look at you, humiliated. Hey, itâs not your fault. That womanâs a master at twisting things â no wonder you fell for it.â
âDid you see him earlier? Practically crawling after her, like a little puppy!â
The mocking voices grew louder, each jab stripping away more of Santinoâs pride. Unable to turn his anger inward, he rounded on Allison. âYou filthy woman,â he spat, fury twisting his face. âWhy didnât you tell me sooner? You tricked me!â
Santino had never felt such shame. His pride, his most precious possession, was now bruised and battered under the crowdâs relentless scorn. His rage flared as he clenched his fists.
âYou want to talk about debts?â he shouted, voice shaking with barely restrained fury. âYou hurt someone, so now itâs my job to teach you a lesson!â
With that, Santino lunged, his massive frame barreling forward, face contorted in rage. He resembled a bear, eyes blazing as he bore down on Allison.
The crowd scattered, some shrieking as they hurried to get out of his way.
âWhatâs he doing? Has he lost his mind?â
âHeâs not someone you want to cross! Run!â
But Allison stood her ground, calm and unmoving, her eyes fixed on Santino as he closed in. His movements were slow and clumsy in her eyes. He had too many openings. If this was a real fight, heâd have been dead a hundred times over.
Just as his fist was about to land, the crowd collectively held its breath. Then, before Santinoâs blow could connect, someone struck him from the side â a brutal kick to his knee.
The impact sent him crumbling to the ground with a resounding thud.
Santinoâs knee hit the cobblestones hard, and he let out a howl of pain, clutching his injured leg.
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