Chapter 444 - Cut His Tongue?

Meanwhile…

"Wah… Boss Wen, look at what you've done to the master's lobby!" Currently, the living area where the battle ended was packed with men. Some could not help but be in awe at how the grand and lavish living area that was better than a royal family's castle was now in such a state.

The antique furnitures, porcelain vases, and paintings that Matthew had obtained through black markets and legal auctions were either shattered or had holes in them -- reducing whatever value they had. 

"Woah… looks like someone ambushed the place." One man traveled his gaze around, still in disbelief upon laying his eyes on the place unlike when they were watching it live.

"Good thing they're in total immunity… else, Boss Wen wouldn't fire a single shot. HAHA!"

"Boss Yan is still the best!" One man went to Ryan's side, giving him an excited thumbs up as if to comfort his close win.

"Hey! If I were you people, I wouldn't touch anything. Our immunity was over once the game ended -- sucks for you people if you break even that piece of shattered vase." Owen, who was watching his comrade flock inside the living area, spouted mockingly.

Since everyone was used to his unstoppable mouth that mostly spouted unpleasant yet honest remarks, no one took his words to heart. Yet, unlike before, some cast him a glance in dismay. Obviously, Owen noticed the odd glances from his other comrades which made him knit his brows.

It was not only Owen, but also, no one went to check today's winner. If there were still people talking to Owen, Carter, on the other hand, had to face a different discrimination. No one bothered to talk to him as if he was just air. They were obviously ignoring him, showing how displeased they were at the results.

The only person who was treated the same was Ryan. The three participants, of course, noticed it. However, Owen and Carter decided to shrug it off, but not Ryan.

"Okay, people," Ryan cleared his throat, catching everyone's attention. "What's the problem? You people seem to have problems, why not say it now instead of ignoring your captains." He demanded, his usual cheerful eyes now filled in disgust at the air around them.

"They are not displeased at the results, Boss Yan." The man who was standing beside him hesitatingly glanced to his side and shifted it to the men around. "It was the method how it was obtained." He added, giving a brief explanation of what the game made them feel.

Of course, since they weren't the one who participated, they could not understand the three. After all, what they saw was not just a battle but also betrayal of their comrades.

They didn't see the same enlightenment as the three had seen, but rather, stuck to the fact that Carter and Owen made an alliance to take down Ryan. Despite considering it was a game, conducting such schemes behind, everyone could not help but doubt the two.

All they knew was that they were greedy, and would do everything to achieve their goal. In real life, if their goal was to exterminate all of them and take down their big boss named Matthew, then, it would be easy as Matthew trusted them. Not just him, but everyone looked up to them and trusted them.

"If anyone has some concerns about the game, come to me instead." In the middle of the thick silence, Matthew's cold voice changed the air. 

The thick air grew even more thicker, suffocating everyone as they held their breaths. Slowly, they turned to the direction of his voice, moving it up to the stairs where Matthew was walking down like a king. Behind him was the woman he was with earlier, and the person who proposed this vicious game.

When Matthew reached the first floor, his eyes roamed across the area. "Well?" His right brow arched, tilting his head a little to the side because no one was speaking. "What were you saying?" He asked, displeased that now that he was here, no one had the nerve to speak.

'Gosh… who would have the courage to speak if you're intimidating them?' Zoey glanced at his side profile, her brows twitched as Matthew was seeking for answers, yet his tone said otherwise.

"You," Since everyone had turned mute, Matthew turned to the person who explained the situation to Ryan. "Continue your explanation. I won't get your tongue cut, don't worry." He reassured, causing Zoey to let out a faint continuous cough.

'Cut his tongue?! Do they do that here?!' She gasped, casting Matthew a disdainful glare as she couldn't believe her ears. 'Maybe, he was just scaring him?' She thought, moving her gaze to the other man who somehow found the will to speak upon hearing the reassurance.

'What? He believed he would get his tongue cut out?' By the looks of the person's face, Zoey discerned that the man was relieved to get the reassurance.

"Master, the problem is, Boss Wen and Boss Ter betrayed Boss Yan. Even if it's just a game, how they did it without remorse made us question their loyalty. If ever they were put in a survival situation, how could we trust that they wouldn't sell us out? They did it so easily, after all." After clearing his throat, the man began to explain what he thought everyone felt watching the game. 

After he said his piece, the man glanced at Matthew before he mustered his courage to say everyone's conclusion. "Also, wasn't that the purpose of the game? To see someone's nature?" 

"Heh, you bet. I will truly sell you out or sell your brains since they are not being used." Owen snorted, irking everyone as he didn't care much if their views towards him changed. As long as Matthew knew wouldn't question his loyalty, he wouldn't care much. 

"Huh," After a minute when the man finished his explanation, a short cold chuckle slipped past Matthew's lips. For some reason, when they heard his short chuckle, their shoulders stiffened as sweat broke out on their foreheads and back.

"And who said that's the purpose of the game?" Slowly, Matthew traveled his menacing eyes across each of their faces as the side of his lips tilted into a smirk.

"No, it's noooot!" In the background, Zoey chimed in as she uttered her words in a low and long tone while her hands were on the side of her mouth.