Chapter 2: Everything Under Control**

**Chapter 2: Everything Under Control**

"Go Richard! Go Richard!" 

The match began, and the crowd's cheers surged like a wave.

On the ring, the fight was intense.

Richard launched a sharp attack from the start, tossing his hat to distract his opponent. He then took the opportunity to strike, landing blows on his opponent's cheeks, causing dizziness.

Barrera shook his head and roared angrily, charging back with a fierce counterattack, swinging his thick right arm.

Richard blocked with his left elbow and landed three quick punches to Barrera's abdomen, his attacks as fast as lightning.

Barrera instinctively bent over, protecting his abdomen.

Richard didn't relent, blocking Barrera's attack with his left hand and delivering a heavy punch to Barrera's face.

Crack~

A bone in Barrera's face made a crisp sound; his jaw dislocated, and blood-spattered teeth flew out.

Taking advantage of Barrera's dizziness, Richard kicked him fiercely in the diaphragm with his heel.

Barrera was sent flying, hitting the wire mesh and falling heavily onto the ring.

Boom~

The crowd erupted. They had anticipated an exciting match, but not this. Richard had taken down his opponent in less than 15 seconds.

"Richard! Richard! Richard!!"

The audience stood up, shouting loudly, and the entire underground arena was boiling.

——

"He dared to deceive me?"

In the second-floor private room, Andy frowned deeply, his face dark and menacing.

"Boss, should I take some people to teach him a lesson?" one of his men asked, touching the weapon at his waist.

"… Let's wait a bit."

Andy tapped the sofa with his fingers, his eyes fixed on the ring. Although Richard was highly skilled in boxing and fighting, he believed no one would dare cross him in the Bronx, not even Richard.

At that moment, the situation in the ring suddenly changed.

As Richard was thanking the audience, Barrera suddenly jumped up, grabbing Richard tightly and slamming him hard onto the ring amidst the audience's gasps.

"No!!"

"Despicable! Despicable! Despicable!"

The audience shouted loudly.

While Richard didn't counter, Barrera punched him in the face.

Richard rolled to the edge of the wire mesh, his face now bruised.

Ding ding ding~

The first round ended.

"Haha, he really is an actor."

Andy laughed, holding a cigar.

"Boss, you think Richard did that on purpose?" one of his men asked.

"Probably. From the start, he dominated, first injuring Barrera to weaken his combat power and provoke his anger. Once Barrera lost his cool and launched a fierce attack, the match became more exciting. Richard isn't just performing himself; he's involving his opponent too. He should be on Broadway," Andy said, grinning with his yellow-stained teeth.

"How do you think he'll fight in the next round?" one of his men wondered.

"No matter how he fights, he has to follow my script. Here, I'm the director."

——

Ding ding ding~

The second round began.

Richard resumed his fierce attacks, but his movements were slower, seemingly due to an injury to his waist in the first round.

During one attack, Barrera twisted Richard's arm, dislocating his left shoulder with a crack.

The second round ended with both fighters heavily injured.

Barrera's face was covered in blood, his nose broken, his right hand holding his left rib, and blood continuously flowing from his mouth, with several broken ribs.

Richard wasn't in good shape either, with numerous punches to his face, blood streaming from his mouth and ears, an injured waist, and a dangling left arm.

Seeing their conditions, the atmosphere in the arena turned grim and oppressive.

The audience quieted, watching intently to see who would win. Given Richard's dislocated left arm, Barrera seemed to have the upper hand. But those familiar with Richard couldn't believe he would lose.

The betting point became even busier, with many waving bills and shouting bets.

"Go, Richard!" Fat Anthony whispered, clenching his fist by the betting point.

——

Ding ding ding~

The third round began.

Richard, with his left arm hanging, slowly walked to the center.

Barrera roared and charged with a grim smile.

The two tangled again, exchanging blows.

The audience's voices became hoarse from shouting.

"How do you think Richard will lose?" Andy asked with a grin.

"Can't tell," his men replied after some thought.

"But with Richard's dislocated left arm, losing now wouldn't make his supporters blame him," one of his men added.

"Yes, he's smart," Andy said, tapping the sofa and watching the ring with interest.

"Fall!" Richard shouted, tripping Barrera with a scissor kick, and both fell to the ground.

Richard wrapped his legs around Barrera's and choked him with his right arm.

Barrera lay on his back on Richard, flailing his arms in a desperate struggle.

"Go, Richard!"

"Kill him, Richard!"

"Richard must win!"

The audience shouted, their voices rising like waves.

"How can Barrera win like this?" Andy leaned forward, eyes fixed on the ring, his fingers tightly gripping the sofa.

Suddenly, Barrera grabbed Richard's dislocated left arm and twisted hard.

Hiss~

Andy's mouth twitched.

The audience gasped; the pain from that move was evident.

Richard groaned and released his grip.

Barrera broke free, flipping over to twist Richard's right arm, and they struggled briefly.

Suddenly, Barrera roared, twisting Richard's right arm backward.

Crack~

Richard's right arm dislocated.

"Oh~" the audience groaned in disappointment.

"Excellent, just excellent. This guy is ruthless not just to others but to himself. He's talented, but it's a pity he doesn't want to work for me," Andy said, clapping his thigh, both praising and regretting.

He pondered and waved a subordinate over, whispering,

"After the match, spread some rumors that he's been throwing matches. When he can't stay in the arena, we'll see how he holds his principles."

"Understood!"

"Also, give him $2000. Tell him I'm pleased with his performance."

"Yes, Boss!"

"Richard, this is for your own good. How can you make money by holding onto principles?" Andy chuckled, sipping his drink and looking downstairs.

"Roar! I won. I'm the winner!" Barrera roared, shaking the cage.

"Boo~"

"Get up and fight, Richard!"

"Richard is a waste, making me lose money."

The disappointed audience began to complain and curse, some even leaving.

"Look, Richard is getting up!" someone shouted suddenly.

On the ring, Richard leaned against the wire mesh, slowly standing up.

"Good, good, you can still stand. That's great. Let's continue. But with no arms, how will you fight?" Barrera sneered, lifting Richard's arms to slam him down.

Suddenly, Richard swung back, headbutting Barrera.

Boom!

Barrera staggered, his body swaying.

"Do you know why I kept attacking your head? Because I wanted to turn it into mush," Richard smirked and headbutted again.

Bang~

Barrera fell flat on the ring.

Boom~

A shocking reversal, igniting the crowd.

Everyone still able to shout stood up, yelling loudly. Applause, shouts, and table banging echoed, each wave louder than the last, shaking the arena.

The referee checked Barrera's condition and announced,

"The winner is still our Bronx boxing king, Richard Brad~~~"

"Roar!"

"Richard won again!"

"Richard! Richard! Richard!"

The whole crowd chanted his name in unison.

Crash~

On the second floor, Andy threw down his glass, his fierce face turning grim.

"He dares mock me? Dares make me lose money!"

"Get that bastard up here!" he ordered.

"Yes, Boss!"

His men rushed out.

"Boss!" another subordinate hurried in, "Someone bet on Richard winning by KO in the third round and took over $200,000 from the casino."

"What? Why didn't you report sooner?" Andy grabbed his collar and shouted.

"Boss, that person was very cautious, placing multiple small bets and using several people. I only noticed when they claimed the money."

"Useless!"

Andy pushed the subordinate away.

"Go get them! Dare to take my money, I'll take their life."

"Yes!" 

(End of Chapter)