Chapter 255: Blood is Thicker Than Water
"So, what does this have to do with Sarah?" Ron pushed Tony aside and continued to move forward.
"Five million dollars, don't you want it?" Tony stood in front of Ron again, holding Tommy with one hand, stretching out a five-fingered palm, and gesturing back and forth in front of Ron.
"Five million? That sounds like a lot~" Ron smiled wickedly, "But don't forget, this money was earned in the United States, so remember to pay federal income tax. The tax rate is about..."
"Damn! You're actually gonna tax your own partner!" Tony said angrily, but when he saw Ron clench his fist, he immediately hid behind Tommy in shame.
"Don't worry, even after paying taxes, there's still a lot left over from the five million." Ron rolled his eyes at his scheming partner and handed a business card to Tony. "If you really get the five million, you can call Paul.
He's the manager of the Platinum Club. As long as you have the money, he can provide you with a VIP experience, enough to make you forget all the girls in the world."
Seeing that Ron couldn't be fooled, Tony still set his sights on Tommy. He immediately changed his face and said righteously, "Tommy, how can you do this? We're partners!"
"Come on!"
"Partners stick together!"
"I want to see Q's manuscript!" Tommy was obviously not buying it either. He was about to leave with Ron, carrying his laptop bag, when Tony suddenly dropped to his knees.
With one hand on each side, he hugged Ron and Tommy's legs tightly.
"Partner, Tommy, do you know what Sarah means to me?" Tony cried, a hint of tears in his voice. "I'm willing to give her my entire life's savings and devotion. I'll never fall in love with another woman again!"
"Okay, okay, okay, I promise to help you, alright?" Ron helplessly tugged at Tony's head. "Just don't get your snot on my pants. It's disgusting!"
Ron had been prepared for a tug-of-war with Tony, but this time, with just a gentle push, Tony was easily pushed away.
How could it be so easy this time? His eyes were just a little glazed.
Ron looked up, following Tony's gaze, and saw a tall brunette woman brush past them.
"Sarah~" Tony stood up and ran after her like a lost soul.
Tommy frowned. "He's always like this?"
"You're his partner, don't you know?"
Tommy was helpless. He was about to follow Tony with his laptop bag when he saw Ron walking off somewhere else. "Aren't you coming with me?"
"Wait a minute. You and Tony go check out the situation. I just saw someone I know, so I'm going to say hello and lay low." Ron looked at Billy, who had taken the opportunity to slip into the bathroom, a thoughtful look on his face.
"My identity is quite sensitive, so it's best not to draw their attention. Even though these so-called detective enthusiasts aren't very capable, it would still be troublesome if someone discovered my real job."
Among all the detectives present, Billy was already an old acquaintance. Ron wasn't sure if there were others who knew him. He just wanted to join in the fun, not draw attention.
Fortunately, when they first entered the hall, their group didn't attract much attention; everyone else was mostly busy with their own things.
...
In the bathroom, the sound of water splashed. Buffalo Billy had just finished relieving himself and was about to zip up when a large hand suddenly touched his shoulder.
"Long time no see, Billy!" Billy saw a face in the mirror above the urinal that was incredibly familiar. It was none other than Ron, his childhood tormentor. Suddenly, the stream that had stopped started flowing again.
"Didn't you just say you had a case to handle? Why are you here again?"
"I... I need to use the bathroom first. I'll be right there, Ron." Billy's voice was already tinged with anxiety.
It wasn't that Billy was a coward, but growing up with someone like Ron was truly difficult. Although he knew that every time Ron "trained" him, it was for various reasons to help him get stronger.
And it was precisely because of Ron's "training" that he thrived in his military career. But he still lived under Ron's shadow. Unlike their other childhood friend Danny, who was easygoing and disciplined, he always served as Ron's "sparring partner" or "practice dummy." How could he not be haunted by this shadow?
"Don't worry. We haven't seen each other in ages. Don't you want to catch up with me?" Ron patted Billy's shoulder.
"Yes!" Billy, like a soldier receiving orders, turned around in a perfectly standard military stance.
Ron quickly stepped aside: "Hey! Can you put that thing away first? And zip it up, too. I don't want to get sprayed by you."
"Sir, yes, sir!" Billy saluted, then straightened his posture, tucked everything away, and zipped up. The whole movement was so precise that to an outsider, they might have mistaken it for some new tactical maneuver.
"At ease," Ron said helplessly, resorting to the military drill commands he'd used with Billy in their childhood. "Relax, I know why you're here. Even if you have other cases on your plate, I don't think anything could be more tempting than five million dollars, right?"
"Are you here for the prize money, too?"
Hearing Ron mention the prize, Billy felt deflated. "If you're competing, the prize is yours. No one else has a chance. You've been telling me that since we were kids. Forget it, I'm withdrawing from the competition."
Billy was about to back out, but Ron wasn't about to intimidate him any further.
"Don't worry, Billy, I'm not interested in the five million dollars. I'm just here for a break and to see my partner and that old detective who mentored me when I was starting out."
Billy became excited. If Ron wasn't participating, wouldn't that mean he still had a chance?
"But," Ron's next words brought him back down, "my partner seems very interested in the prize money."
"So, I'm withdrawing?" Billy asked tentatively, thinking of the generous prize money.
"That's not necessary," Ron waved his hand. "He's interested, not me. I won't interfere in any of your competition. You can compete with him based on your own skills. I'm here for something else."
"Whatever it is, just tell me. If I can do it, I'll definitely handle it perfectly!" Billy, upon hearing that Ron wasn't entering the competition, patted his chest and promised eagerly.
"First, keep my identity confidential. I don't want too many people to know I'm from the IRS." Ron held up a finger, and Billy nodded quickly. "Second, cooperate with me when I need you."
"I don't care about the mere five million in prize money, but I am quite interested in the taxes owed by this New York crime family."
(End of this chapter)
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