454 No Order Without Rules (1/2)
The chaos quickly quieted down. The people who got involved in the fight were all led to the underground casino's office to settle the matter privately. Of course, no one there believed that this process would be peaceful. More likely, they would be taught a lesson, including being scared by the responsible party, paying for the casino's losses, and so on. But considering the involved parties' identities, the line probably would not be crossed, but to think that they would escape this unscathed, that was impossible.
”Why have we been brought here?” The woman cowered beside Ye Shuang. Her lowered voice was shaking, and her face was panicking. ”We didn't get involved in the fight!”
That was true, but the woman had accidentally been injured during the process, and that was why she and Ye Shuang were sitting there… or rather more precisely, it was because of her that Ye Shuang was able to mix into the crowd so naturally. It was not that Ye Shuang was not powerful enough to protect her, it was just that Ye Shuang needed an opening to start a negotiation. So, Ye Shuang basically did not do anything and allowed some stray punches to come her companion's way. She could not avoid it, so she could only surrender to the bad luck. If she was lucky, then perhaps Ye Shuang might have done something else.
Ye Shuang smiled at the bodyguards who were shooting daggers at them and then lowered her head gently. ”Don't worry, I won't let this rest until someone apologizes!”
Please don't! I'd rather just leave this place and suffer this blow quietly!
Even though it was called an office, this underground space was not that much smaller than the casino. The open space had no trace of a cold, detached working environment; it looked more like a living room. Other than the lack of windows, other amenities like a television, air conditioning, and kitchenette were all there. There were even doors that probably led to a bedroom, study, and so on. Someone had been staying there for an extended time. The casino's owner soon appeared from behind one of the doors. He was almost thirty. He scanned the guests that filled up the sofas. Even though he had heard the report from his people, he still had a troubled look on his face.
”The fun has gotten out of hand this time?” The owner came with two bodyguards. He took the seat on a single sofa and maintained a distance that was not too close nor too far from everyone else. ”I hope you all know about my rules here.”
Things had to be settled. If there were no rules, there was no order. If this went unpunished—even though this did not look like it was done on purpose—and he allowed everyone to walk free, then it might just happen again. But this time, so many people were involved. From his memory, quite a few of them came from powerful backgrounds, and it might lead to more troubles if the punishment was too harsh. He could not go over the line, but he could not just let it be; this was indeed hard on the owner.
The owner used the pause to think about it. His eyes scanned the guests that were seated before him. ”Rules can't be broken, but I do not wish to make things difficult for everyone. How about all of you stay here for a few days to make up for the business that I've lost?”
Paying money was fine, but being detained was such an affront to the face. The young masters who spoke the loudest bounced up immediately.
”It's true that we crossed the line this time, and we all know the rules here, but we can't stay here for a few days. We all have our business to return to. Isn't it too much for you to detain us like this?”
”That's right. Staying is impossible. At most, we'll pay you triple your losses!”
”Yeah, if I don't return, my father will come get me tomorrow!”
”Don't be like this!”
The group all agreed. The consensus was… paying money was fine. They could discuss the amount as long as they were not asked to stay back!