1204: Challenge

Challenge

After settling down, the group decided to wait in their own room to not make more commotions than they needed to.

Finally, the night had arrived. The banquet started with all the promising young people coming to meet each other.

There were new people coming to the party because Rachel wasn't the only one who had entered this ranking. However, their attention was focused on Rachel this time, so they had been waiting for Theo and Rachel to arrive.

However, the first one to arrive was none other than Winston and Lexie.

Their appearance stunned everyone because they thought Winston was too ashamed to appear here after his two defeats against the current first and second person on the list.

But it seemed Winston was planning to challenge them again in this banquet.

"Hey. That's Winston. What is he going to do today?"

"As expected, he'll ruin the challenge this time."

"But I think Winston has become a different person after this defeat, I don't know why."

"Yes. Look at his expression… Even Lexie has started smiling more often right now."

"Is there something happening behind the scenes? Like Lexie pampering Winston after he lost?"

"Hii—"

"Don't say anything else. He's going to hear us."

The people suddenly stopped. Although he had prepared for this, Winston still couldn't take all of their insults.

However, everyone's attention soon shifted to the person that entered after them.

She had long blond hair tied into a ponytail. Despite wearing a dress, she chose a blood-red color as if she wanted to intimidate everyone. Coupled with her cold gaze, everyone somehow froze upon her arrival.

"This is…"

"So, this is Rachel Vikson."

"Yes. This is the first time I've seen her."

The people started whispering to each other. Unlike Winston, they had so many things to talk about due to their lack of information. They simply didn't know much about Rachel Vikson just like Joker last year.

Finally, after a five minutes pause, the door opened again. This time, the main party had arrived.

"Hahaha! We've finally arrived! Time to fuck you up, motherfuckers!" Isaac couldn't contain himself anymore. His words certainly stunned everyone.

"Joker is really here."

"I can't wait for them to fight!"

"Yeah."

"But look, there are Mark and Isaac as well."

"Still, look at Maya, man. She looks exhausted."

"True. The current situation makes me pity her to be honest."

"Well, I dislike her because of her arrogance."

"Indeed."

"By the way, do you know that girl over there? She comes together with Joker and the others…"

"Now that I think about it, I feel like I've seen her somewhere."

"Wait… She is… no way! Has Joker managed to pique that person's interest?"

"That person? Who?"

"She is Nagasawa Rea!"

"Japanese?"

"Idiot! If he's talking about Nagasawa Rea, he must be talking about the Sword Saint's daughter!"

"What? Is there a connection between Joker and the Sword Saint? Impossible."

The people were stunned. Even Winston never expected Theo to bring such a person to this banquet.

At the same time, Rachel made her first move by standing in front of Theo, stopping his group.

"I don't like what he said earlier…" Rachel narrowed her eyes, glaring at Theo and Isaac. "Does this mean you're stronger than me?"

"Who knows?" Theo shrugged.

"Then, we shall find out tomorrow. You and I will fight to determine who is stronger."

"And why should I accept that?"

"Because I'm the second rank! The only reason I can't become the first is you! If you don't like this necessary problem, you should have stepped down, Coward." Rachel snorted.

"Coward, huh…" Theo smiled and glanced at Rea. "What do you think?"

Rachel looked at Rea as her expression darkened. On the other hand, Rea politely bowed to her as a greeting. "Hi, Rachel. It's been a few years."

"Nagasawa Rea. You shouldn't get yourself involved in this."

"Why? My Honorable Father sent me to help him. Is there anything wrong with it?" Rea squinted her eyes, not scared of Rachel's threat. "If you don't like it, why don't you bring your teacher? My Honorable Father hasn't fought against your Teacher after all…"

Rachel's eyebrows twitched.

"I want to remind you. If your teacher wants to kill him, she will fight with my father." Rea stated coldly, threatening Rachel back.

Rachel clenched her fists and said, "Kill? You are using a heavy word there… I just want to challenge him. I want to see which one of us is stronger. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"Of course not."

"Then, you should fuck off! I don't care about you." Rachel snorted and glared at Theo. "Do you dare to fight me, Coward?"

"Haha. Do you think you're worthy?"

"Heh, you're hiding behind those words again. It's already old." Rachel snorted.

"I'm not hiding. I just want to warn you that I won't hold back. Even though this is just sparring, I might not be able to stop at the last moment and accidentally send you to the hospital." Theo chuckled.

"I don't need your concern. You're the one who should prepare a hospital bed." She snorted. "Since you've accepted my challenge, I have no interest in this banquet anymore. I'm going back to my room."

Without wasting any more time, Rachel left the hall. The people were stunned for a moment while Theo's group had already spread around to enjoy the banquet. Maya, of course, didn't have many people around her anymore because of the fall of the Star Group and the Starry Group, so she ended up staying with him.

She looked at Theo and asked, "Are you sure you're not planning to leave the Star Group until the contract is over, Joker?"

Theo smiled and patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll stay since I have the CEO of the Star Group and the Starry Group working for me. How can I leave?"2

"…" Maya closed her eyes and asked, "If I surrender everything to you, including myself, will you help the two companies go through this crisis?"

"The Maya that I know is a strong and independent woman. If I need to use an analogy, you're like a blazing fire, burning everything with your intense heat. But now, your blaze might be smaller, but it's very stable. This incident has given you the opportunity to stabilize the foundation of your talent. Trust yourself, Maya…"

"…" Maya didn't expect to receive that kind of praise from Theo. But before she could say anything, Theo patted her shoulder again and walked away.

Still, he left one message.

"That's right. There is one thing you need to know. The group I created is like a family… and you're included. I won't do something like my parents… You don't turn back on your family even if they do."

Maya's expression suddenly brightened, understanding Theo's words. He already knew that she was going to make herself big because she didn't want to work for Theo. However, Theo never planned to abandon her.

"You…"

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