Chapter 18: Get Rid of Him

Toby made a call, apparently summoning backup. Soon, several vans arrived, disgorging a crowd of club-wielding men. Seeing his reinforcements, Toby gloated, "Where are your men? Too scared to show up?"

"They're here," Jared replied calmly.

A car sped toward them. Toby scoffed, "Are you kidding me? Just a car? How many people can it hold? Even if you can fight, I can keep calling for backup. You'll be exhausted!"

"I hope you'll still be smiling after you see who's in it," Jared smirked.

The car arrived. A burly man emerged. As Toby saw him clearly, his smile froze. Everyone else gasped. The man was Tommy, and he was alone.

Approaching Jared briskly, Tommy greeted respectfully, "Mr. Chance."

Toby, dumbfounded and trembling, watched Tommy's deference. Jared glanced at Toby and instructed, "Get rid of him."

Tommy nodded, turning to face the cowering Toby. He swept his gaze across Toby's men. Their faces pale with fear, they discarded their weapons.

"Get lost! Or you'll die here!" Tommy roared.

Terrified, Toby's men fled. It was foolish for such insignificant gangsters to offend Horington's underworld king.

"M-Mr. Lewis…" Toby stammered.

Tommy slapped him hard. Toby didn't flinch, but his wife shrieked, "Who are you? How dare you hit him?"

Toby, shocked, slapped his wife. "You bitch! Shut up! How dare you?" He cursed her silently. If she hadn't provoked Jared, Tommy wouldn't have been alerted. (Note: The website advertisement has been removed.)

Jared's respectful treatment by Tommy clearly indicated his high status. However, Toby was puzzled by the dilapidated Ford he drove.

Toby's wife's face swelled from the slap. He knew he had to be firm to survive.

"Mr. Lewis, she's thoughtless. Please forgive her…" Toby pleaded profusely.

Tommy ignored him, grabbed Toby's collar, and punched him hard in the stomach, sending him sprawling.

Jared approached Toby slowly, looking down. "Didn't you say I should kneel and apologize? Why are you kneeling now?" he taunted.

Toby groveled, "Please, spare me! I was blind to who you are…"

He begged for mercy.

"I didn't want to kill you, but you threatened my family."

Ignoring Toby, Jared entered the car, smashed a Maserati (presumably Toby's) out of the way, and drove off.