Chapter 19: Do You Think He's a Backup?

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"Let's welcome the Bronx boxing king, Richard Blade~~~"

With the passionate howl of the on-site DJ, Richard strode out of the passageway, draped in a thermal blanket and wearing shorts, bouncing into the audience's sight.

"Go, Richard!"

"Richard must win!"

"Richard, you're the best!"

The venue immediately erupted in astonishing cheers, especially from the group of middle-aged cheerleaders led by Susan, whose voices thundered through the air.

Richard grinned, waved his fist towards Susan's direction, pointed both thumbs inward at himself, brimming with fighting spirit.

"Go, Richard! I placed a big bet on you, you must win!"

Boss Andy walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, I will definitely win!"

Richard smiled confidently and continued walking forward.

"Hey, Richard, I believe in you!"

Lewis shouted from the front row.

"Thank you!"

Richard smiled and bumped his fist.

He then saw Mike, Chris, Harold, and many other neighbors in the crowd.

In the middle sat two exceptionally graceful beauties, Bundchen and her companion Angela Lindvall, who were the epitome of timeless elegance.

"Go for it!"

Bundchen shouted, waving her fist.

"I will!"

Richard kissed his fingers and sent the kiss over.

"Richard, enough already. One moment you're greeting friends, the next you're flirting with girls. Are you here to fight or visit relatives?"

Paul complained from behind.

"Yes, Richard, focus!"

Anthony also advised.

Richard sighed helplessly. Once he had money, he would definitely hire a professional team; otherwise, he was surrounded by either undercover agents or incompetent teammates, which was extremely frustrating.

"Richard, over here, meet the referee and check your equipment!"

Alvin said.

"Got it!"

Richard followed him to the referee's table below the ring.

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"Bundchen, how did you meet Richard?"

In the audience, Angela Lindvall stared at Richard and asked.

"He was injured last time, and I happened to drive by and took him to the hospital. That's how we met."

Bundchen said.

"A beauty rescuing a hero? Nice start. Did you pursue him first, or did he pursue you?"

"Neither. We're just friends, not what you think."

"I don't believe it. Richard is so handsome and well-built, you can't possibly not be attracted to him. Come on, confess!"

Angela hugged her waist and tickled her a bit.

"Angela, stop it!"

Bundchen laughed a few times, holding her hand. "Alright, he pursued me first, calling me every day, sending flowers to my office, and asking me out. I just haven't made up my mind yet."

"Made up your mind about what?"

"About feelings. I came to New York for work, to establish myself here. I didn't plan to get involved in a relationship so soon."

"So, are you going to reject him?"

Angela blinked her fox-like eyes.

"I don't know."

Bundchen frowned. "He makes me feel special, comfortable, and secure. Sometimes I think it wouldn't be bad to have a boyfriend like him.

Recently, when he was busy training and couldn't see me, I felt like something was missing, and my heart felt empty.

I thought a lot and decided to go find him and give us a chance. If he didn't care, I would focus on work. But he confessed to me."

"Wait, you said he kept bothering you for a while and then suddenly stopped contacting you?"

Angela frowned.

"Yes!"

"Haha, you fell for it. This trick is called 'playing hard to get.' You've been played by a master."

Angela asserted confidently.

"It's not like that. There are other things involved."

Bundchen briefly explained the misunderstanding with the BAA company.

"So you're saying he thought you didn't like him and stopped contacting you?"

"Yes, he said he planned to find me after winning the match, but I" Bundchen scratched her head, embarrassed. "I couldn't help but find him first."

"Is that true?"

Angela looked at the tall, handsome, and strong man in the ring. "Could someone like him feel inferior?"

"Yes, he grew up alone, with a bit of insecurity and sensitivity, and sometimes overthinks. I don't blame him."

Bundchen looked at the man in the ring with a slight smile.

"Enough. If you're not sure, hand him over to me. I'll make him happy."

Angela held her seriously. "Shakespeare said, if you love him, let him go find happiness. Bundchen, are you willing to let him go?"

"Did Shakespeare really say that?"

Bundchen smiled.

"That's not important. What's important is what you think. Are you planning to keep him as a backup?"

"I don't think that way."

Bundchen rolled her eyes. "After that meeting, we talked a lot. He confessed to me, and I didn't agree or reject. I'm planning to get to know him better. If he's still serious, and I still find him nice, I'll consider dating him."

"Tch~ You say you're just friends, but you're planning to date him. Are you trying to make me jealous?"

Angela said unhappily.

"Yes, I want to make you jealous!"

Bundchen laughed.

"You've changed, Bundchen. You weren't like this before."

"Yes, I learned it from Richard."

"Hmph~"

Angela felt a bit upset about the situation.

"Look, Montell the boxing champion is entering. He looks fierce!"

Someone nearby shouted.

At the other exit of the stadium, former WBC light heavyweight champion Montell Griffin appeared. The host was introducing his past achievements and titles.

Each introduction caused a stir.

"Montell Griffin? Is he Richard's opponent?"

Angela exclaimed.

"Is Montell very strong?"

Bundchen asked, confused.

"Not just strong, very strong."

Angela, being a semi-boxing fan, knew a lot about the sport. "Montell was the WBC light heavyweight champion for three and a half years, losing his title only this March. His strength is on par with the current champion. In this weight class, he's one of the top fighters."

"That strong?"

Bundchen frowned. Richard had told her it was an ordinary match, and she thought it was just a neighborhood entertainment event, not at such a high level.

"Montell also has a nickname, the 'Ring Killer.' Once, a boxer he fought ended up with a severe concussion, almost becoming a vegetable. Bundchen, we need to get closer."

Angela stood up.

"Why get closer?"

"Haven't you seen movies? Many movie protagonists, during boxing matches, get knocked down, unable to move.

At that moment, the heroine shouts 'I love you' from the stands, and the protagonist wakes up, regains his strength, and in the encouragement of love, defeats the opponent and wins.

Bundchen, let's go closer. If Richard gets knocked out, you can shout at him."

Angela said seriously.

Bundchen shook her head. "Richard isn't impulsive. If he dares to participate in this match, it means he's confident. What we can do is trust him and wait quietly for him to win."

"You have a lot of faith in him."

"Of course, he's the man I fancy."

Bundchen smiled softly.

"Richard must win!"

Richard waved, put on his gloves, and stepped into the ring. The match was about to begin.