Rio City, nestled in the picturesque western suburbs, boasted a magnificent two-lane asphalt road that stretched far into the distance. Journeying along this road, one would be treated to breathtaking scenery on either side.
At the road's end awaited a sprawling manor across hundreds of acres encircled by majestic mountains and rivers. The natural beauty surrounding it was indeed a delightful sight to behold.
Within the manor stood several exquisite villas, each more enchanting than the last. However, the grandest of them all was a five-story mansion resembling a regal castle that spanned over a thousand square meters.
Positioned before the mansion was a spacious parking lot adorned with an array of luxury cars. Just a stone's throw away, a glistening artificial lake sparkled under the sun's gentle rays. And nestled discreetly behind the grand villa was an impeccably manicured golf course.
On this court, a middle-aged man named Evan Joyce revelled in the extravagant lifestyle that only the super-rich could afford. He swung his golf club with effortless grace, causing the ball to trace an elegant arc through the air before gracefully landing on the distant green.
In the midst of his leisurely game, a young man approached Evan Joyce, exuding a respectful demeanour. Leaning in closer, he whispered into Evan's ear, bearing news of significant importance.
"Boss, Chen Hu has once again claimed the men's 200m gold medal, setting a new record," the young man relayed.
Evan Joyce's countenance immediately darkened. When the Rio Olympics commenced, Liu Yong had placed an astounding $800 million bet. Evan had anticipated a substantial windfall from this venture. Little did he expect Chen Hu to secure victory after another, thus undermining their prospects.
Evan Joyce's voice resonated with a tinge of gravity as he inquired, "Which gold medal is this for Chen Hu?"
The young man promptly responded, "It marks his seventh gold medal. Tomorrow, the men's triathlon final awaits. If Chen Hu emerges triumphant, he will have accumulated a total of eight gold medals."
Contemplating the implications, Evan Joyce mulled over the odds. He slowly voiced his concerns, "If Chen Hu secures the gold medal tomorrow, what will our total losses be?"
The young man confidently replied, "We've performed the calculations. Liu Yong's wagers amount to a staggering $800 million. Based on the odds, our losses will tally up to a staggering $3.52 billion."
$3.52 billion—a sum of monumental proportions.
While Evan Joyce could indeed afford such a substantial amount, the burden weighed heavily upon him. It threatened to erode his wealth, painstakingly amassed over the years, draining nearly half of his fortunes into Liu Yong's pockets.
No.
This was categorically unacceptable.
Evan Joyce abruptly abandoned his golf club, gesturing dismissively, declaring, "Gather the leaders for a meeting at the manor tonight at eight."
"Understood, boss," the young man acknowledged.
Evan Joyce's intent was crystal clear—to summon his subordinates to discuss nullifying this impending loss.
Under no circumstances would he allow himself to be burdened with such an astronomical debt.
The following day, the men's triathlon took centre stage. As expected, Chen Hu emerged victorious, once again obliterating records.
Against the backdrop of this momentous Olympic triumph, Liu Yong sought out the finest upscale restaurant in the vicinity to commemorate the occasion. Nestled within a private room, a lavish feast awaited—a cornucopia of local delicacies renowned for their unique flavours.
Li Changle, the four bodyguards, and two individuals named He Qiang and Gilsnut were Accompanying Liu Yong. The rest of their group remained discreetly stationed at various locations in Rio, meticulously observing Evan Joyce's every move.
Gilsnut, a longstanding member of the Wolf Warriors, held a prominent position as the first team leader. Possessing fluency in Mandarin and boasting a quarter of Yan Kingdom lineage, his skills have proven commendable over time.
Amidst the joyful atmosphere, Liu Yong raised his glass in a toast, exclaiming, "Originally, I had wanted to invite Chen Hu to join us, but considering his current record, I will make sure to celebrate him properly upon our return to China."
His words resonated, prompting everyone to follow suit, raising their glasses in unison.
Amidst the celebratory ambience that honoured Chen Hu's remarkable achievement of securing eight gold medals, an underlying undercurrent of excitement lingered—a sense of anticipation surrounding the vast sum of money soon to come into Liu Yong's possession.
He Qiang said, his voice brimming with admiration, "Boss, your prowess is truly astounding. Had I known earlier, I would have wagered tens of thousands alongside you. The gains would have been astronomical. Now, it's merely a few hundred thousand."
Liu Yong chuckled, a glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes. "The money isn't in my hands just yet. It will require some effort to retrieve it."
Gilsnut's expression tinged with determination interjected, "Boss, if Evan Joyce dares to renege on his debts, shall I gather my brothers and teach him a lesson at his doorstep?"
Gilsnut's words carried an air of unwavering conviction. He regarded Evan Joyce as nothing more than a trivial obstacle, one easily subdued should he dare to default on his obligations.
Liu Yong responded assuredly, "There's no need to worry. Today, we shall pay a visit to Amos Gaming Building. If the cashing process proceeds smoothly, it will be the ideal outcome, minimizing unnecessary complications. However, should the funds remain elusive, we shall confront Evan Joyce once more."
Liu Yong was fully aware that the likelihood of successfully retrieving the money was slim. Evan Joyce would undoubtedly resist parting with such a substantial sum. If pressed to the extreme, Liu Yong would emphatically declare, "Young man, you overestimate yourself. I cannot simply let go of what is rightfully mine."
Amidst the camaraderie and revelry, the meal progressed harmoniously. Congratulations were extended to Chen Hu for his astonishing feat of capturing eight gold medals, while accolades were bestowed upon Liu Yong for his impending fortune.
The following day, Liu Yong embarked on his mission with only one bodyguard in tow. The remaining three bodyguards and Li Changle opted to remain at the hotel temporarily.
Liu Yong personally ventured to the Yamos Gaming Building, where he was greeted by the same senior manager who had previously attended to him. The manager's initial demeanour exuded warmth and enthusiasm, yet as Liu Yong broached the topic of cashing in, a cascade of excuses and explanations followed.
Naturally, Liu Yong's frustration began to simmer. He emphasized that the agreement stipulated an honorarium to be paid within 24 hours following the conclusion of the eight competitions.
With Chen Hu's eighth gold medal victory having occurred over 20 hours prior, a mere three hours remained before the cashing deadline expired.
Observing the manager's litany of excuses, Liu Yong decided against further indulging in fruitless discourse. Leaving behind a stern declaration, he warned that failure to transfer the total sum of $3.52 billion beyond the agreed-upon timeframe would incur severe penalties.
The senior manager, seemingly dismissive of Liu Yong's words, allowed a hint of disdain to surface on his face. Even his demeanour shifted, shedding the earlier pretence of warmth. Meanwhile, an individual standing beside the manager suggested hushedly, "Boss, why don't we detain him and confiscate the agreement? Then we can deny that Liu Yong ever placed a bet."
The suggestion was straightforward: by absconding with Liu Yong's agreement, they could eliminate any evidence of his wager, thus denying his claim altogether.
The senior manager cast a contemplative glance at Liu Yong, who was walking away, and then at the security guards, who seemed prepared to take action. Ultimately, he shook his head, deeming the plan inappropriate. Deep down, he believed that his boss possessed a superior strategy.
One thing remained certain in his mind: even if Liu Yong possessed airtight documentation, retrieving the total $3.52 billion or even the initial $800 million wagered seemed highly improbable.
Meanwhile, Liu Yong's departure signalled the conclusion of the encounter, his departing words serving as a final warning. He stressed that late fees would undoubtedly be incurred if the deadline expires without the $3.52 billion credited to his account.
The senior manager's expression darkened, and a whisper escaped his lips, "Inform Evan Joyce of what Liu Yong just said. Once the deadline passes, the debt will exceed $3.52 billion, and additional charges will apply."
Although the senior manager did not take Liu Yong's words seriously, he realized that challenging the determined gambler might prove difficult. He suspected Evan Joyce would be unwilling to accept such an exorbitant sum.
...
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