William Carter smiled and said, “I can’t promise you a way out! Since we’ve come to this, I think there are only a few options left, right?” Sam leaned on his cue stick, looking at William Carter across the pool table. “Oh? Let’s hear it.” “Either you leave, or I leave, or we merge.”

“Ha, brother, you’re speaking the truth!” Sam’s gaze turned cold. “So, brother, you mean to kick me out of this place?”

William Carter chuckled, staring at Sam. “No need to try to scare me, Sam bro. Since I’m here, I’m not afraid of you. If it comes to a fight, we might not lose. But that wouldn’t do anyone any good, would it?”

William Carter paused, then bent over to take his shot.

Sam no longer dared to underestimate the skinny young man before him; his instincts told him this person was no ordinary guy. Whether in brains or guts, he was no weaker than the old-timers who’d been around the block for years.

Sam took out a pack of ‘Honghe’ cigarettes from his pocket, pulled out two, and handed one to William Carter. William Carter smiled, said “thanks,” and put one in his mouth. Sarah Thompson came over and lit the cigarettes for both William Carter and Sam. Sam glanced at Sarah Thompson and said to William Carter, “This kid really knows how to handle things!” Then he continued, “So, brother, what do you want to do?”

“I say we merge. That way, everyone benefits, and no one loses out.” William Carter exhaled a smoke ring.

“Ha! Merge? Hmm, that’s a good idea. It does benefit everyone.” Sam rubbed the cue stick in his hands. “But…”

Of course William Carter understood what Sam meant. “Sam bro, you mean who gets to be the boss, right?” Sam said nothing, just nodded, squinting at William Carter. “I’m actually not qualified to fight Sam bro for the boss’s seat, but if I just hand it over, my guys will say I have no backbone. So, just one thing to say…” Sam frowned and asked, “What’s that?”

“One-on-one! You and me. Whoever wins gets to be the boss.” A cold glint flashed in William Carter’s eyes.

Sam was stunned, not believing what he’d just heard. He looked William Carter up and down again. Nothing special—barely 1.7 meters tall, and very skinny. What kind of person was this, to dare say such a thing?

“Ha ha~~” Sam burst out laughing. “Brother, do you keep your word?” “Heh, if I didn’t, what would I be doing out here?”

“All right, it’s settled! You pick the day.” Sam said confidently.

William Carter looked around and said, “This place is fine, and I don’t have much free time. How about right now?”

“Heh, fine!”

William Carter took off his jacket. Sarah Thompson and George Miller hadn’t expected things to turn out like this. Sarah Thompson was a bit worried and asked, “Dong bro, are you really going to go one-on-one? Sam is famous for fighting!”

William Carter tossed his jacket to Sarah Thompson and whispered, “This is the best way to solve it. We’re too weak to go head-to-head with Sam!” He turned and walked to the center of the pool hall. Sarah Thompson and George Miller both touched the knives at their waists, thinking that if their boss was in danger, they’d take out that bastard first. Seeing each other make the same move, the two exchanged a smile—everything was understood without words.

At that moment, Sam told his men to move the pool table in the middle aside, then turned on all the lights in the room. Instantly, the place was brightly lit. He took off his own jacket, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and got ready. He even found it a bit funny—he was about to go one-on-one with a half-grown kid. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing if word got out!?

William Carter stood in front of Sam, completely calm, as if everything was under control. The pool hall was silent; everyone was watching the two standing in the center. An invisible pressure filled the air.

Seeing that William Carter wasn’t making a move, Sam spoke first. “Brother, can we start?” William Carter nodded in reply.

“Watch out!” Sam stopped being polite and threw a punch at William Carter. He stepped back to dodge the punch, but then took a kick from Sam to the stomach, sending him tumbling. Just as he was about to get up, Sam gave him no chance, landing another kick to his stomach. His body slid two meters across the floor before stopping. Sarah Thompson on the side could barely hold back, ready to draw his knife, but George Miller stopped him, whispering, “Wait a bit longer!” Sarah Thompson stomped his foot in frustration, sweat pouring down.

【Volume One: Youthful Passion】 Chapter 4

Seeing William Carter lying on the ground for a long time without getting up, Sam chuckled and said, “Brother, I win!?” He turned to take his jacket from his man and put it on.

“I don’t think so.” No one knew when, but William Carter had stood up, his face showing no pain, his blood-red eyes flashing coldly. “You…” Sam knew how strong those two kicks had been—no fifteen- or sixteen-year-old should be able to take that.

“Heh, looks like I underestimated you!” Sam strode toward William Carter and kicked him in the face. Stepping back, William Carter didn’t fall. Then another kick—William Carter staggered back three steps, but still stood there. Blood flowed from his nose and mouth, and both sides of his face were swollen. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, William Carter smiled faintly.