Chapter 142 Betting

The event finally kicked into full swing, and much to Liam’s surprise... he actually found it fun.

He had assumed it would be dull—filled with forced smiles, fake conversations, and endless photos—but the energy in the room was different. People laughed, music played softly through hidden speakers, and the lighting bathed the entire hall in a warm, ethereal glow that made everything feel like it was happening in a dream.

The stage was long and sleek, with light strips bordering the runway. Each pair of partners—male and female—were being called up to take glamour shots together. After their photos, their images were immediately uploaded online, where people were already voting in real time. Laptops and devices set up in corners displayed live updates. Voters could score them based on presence, chemistry, and fashion coordination.

Backstage, a professional crew handled makeup and outfit touch-ups, while others ensured the lighting remained perfect. Drinks were served in crystal glasses, and food was passed around by suited waiters.

Liam sat quietly in his seat, observing everything. Around him, conversations floated in the air like bubbles—talks of fashion, collaborations, agency deals, and upcoming shoots. Everyone was networking, laughing, or showing off. It wasn’t just about modeling—it was a full-on social arena, and Liam found himself curiously entertained.

Even more interesting, though, was how people looked at him.

More and more, whispers filled the air around him.

Liam didn’t let it get to his head, but he wasn’t going to lie—it felt good. A paradise of beautiful people, all curious and stunned by his presence.

Lana had left just a moment ago to grab him some water. He had offered to go himself, but she insisted.

"You’re the guest. Sit your ass down and relax," she said with a playful smile.

And so he waited.

Until three young men, around his age, approached him with easy smiles but hard eyes.

Liam saw it instantly.

He’d been around too many people in his life not to recognize that look—the cocky arrogance, the fake friendliness, and the barely hidden threat behind their eyes. Trouble was walking his way.

Before they could even open their mouths, Liam leaned back slightly and said with a calm smile, "Not interested."

The tallest one raised his eyebrows. "Damn, chill, new boy," he said, chuckling.

Another one—the one with the sharp jaw and designer sunglasses pushed up in his hair—smirked and leaned on the chair across from Liam. "We just wanted to have a little chat."

Liam gave a deadpan stare.

The third guy, with a lazy swagger in his step and a smug expression on his face, casually walked over and sat down in Lana’s seat.

Liam’s eyes narrowed.

He didn’t move, not yet.

He just raised a single eyebrow. "That seat’s taken."

"Oh, relax," the guy said, spinning slightly in the chair like he owned the place. "We’re just here to give you a little... surprise."

The other two grinned.

Liam leaned forward slightly. "Alright then. What do you want?"

The one in Lana’s seat—the leader, clearly—smiled wide, showing off perfect white teeth. "Nothing much. Just thought we’d give you a warm welcome, you know? A little game. A challenge."

Liam rolled his eyes. "I only followed Lana here. You probably won’t see me again."

They chuckled.

"Well, think of it as a guest treat then," the leader said, his voice rich and confident.

Liam gave a half-smile. "And what kind of ’treat’ are we talking about?"

The leader motioned toward one of his boys, who pulled out a small device—a digital pad—placing it on the table with a soft click.

"You go against him," the guy said, pointing at the one who was sitting in Lana’s seat. "Ray."

Ray leaned his elbow on the table and gave Liam a slow, cocky smirk.

Liam’s lips twitched as he looked at the guy, then at the pad. "Nah," he said, waving a hand lazily. "Not interested in whatever little game this is."

Ray let out a soft laugh and rested back comfortably. "How about we make it interesting then? A bet."

At that word, Liam’s eyebrows shifted naturally.

Bet.

Now that was a language he understood. That was one of the things he lived for.

Ray smirked, seeing the small change in Liam’s posture. "Yeah, you like that, don’t you? We both drop a hundred grand. Whoever wins, takes the two hundred."

The nearby people gasped.

Even in a crowd of successful models and connected individuals, a $100k wager was no small deal. Many had brand deals, sure. Sponsorships, yes. But to casually throw six figures in a personal challenge?

That was wild.

Liam didn’t speak right away. He leaned back in his chair, expression unreadable, processing everything.

And then it clicked.

Oh.

He finally understood.

These three weren’t random guys. They were one of those suitors Dickson had mentioned. Guys with money, connections, and ambition. Guys who had tried to woo Lana but had gotten nowhere. Now she shows up to a high-profile event with him—a guy more handsome than all three of them combined. They were pissed. Their pride was wounded.

And they knew—or thought—that he wouldn’t have a hundred grand to throw away. They were trying to humiliate him publicly. Push him into backing out. Make him look small.

Liam gave them a slow, knowing smirk.

Amateurs.

He didn’t say anything. He just kept that amused glint in his eye as he stared at Ray.

The trap had been set.

They thought he was some broke pretty boy.

But they had no idea who they were playing with.

Liam leaned forward slowly, curiosity dancing behind his confident eyes as he asked, "Alright then... What kind of game are we talking about?"

Ray grinned, clearly pleased that Liam hadn’t immediately walked away. He slid the digital pad across the table toward him.

Liam glanced down at the screen, and as the image loaded, his brows drew together slightly.

It was a video—short clips looping again and again.

A man, smiling arrogantly, throwing darts at apples... apples balanced on people’s heads.

His jaw twitched. He watched a dart fly so close to someone’s temple it nearly grazed skin. The man in the video kept hitting the apple—but just barely.

Liam blinked once, looked back at the pad, then slowly pushed it back to Ray. "Yeah, no," he said coolly. "That’s a no from me."

Ray’s eyes flickered, lips curving into a smirk. "What’s wrong? Scared?"

Liam let out a breathy chuckle, leaning back in his seat, unbothered. "No, I’m not risking anyone’s head for a stupid game, even if you call it a sport."

That answer seemed to catch the group off guard.

They had expected ego, maybe even overconfidence. But instead, Liam gave them logic and principle.

Ray’s expression shifted for a second, then he nodded slightly, finally understanding. "Ahh. So that’s what you’re worried about." He looked to the others, then back to Liam. "Fair enough. But what if the people volunteer?"

Liam raised an eyebrow.

"We start with free throws," Ray explained. "No heads involved. Just pure skill. If anyone wants to volunteer after that, it’s on them. No pressure. No risk until they decide it."

Liam sat back and considered it for a moment. "That sounds more reasonable."

Ray tilted his head slightly, his grin growing. "So what you’re saying is... you’re confident enough to bet a hundred grand now?"

A small chuckle escaped Liam as he rolled his shoulders. "When do we start?"

The moment those words left his lips, the people nearby gasped—some even whispered in shock.

"No way... did he actually accept the bet?"

"That’s 100k!"

"He doesn’t know Ray, does he?"

"Ray’s a beast with darts. It’s suicide."

Some were wide-eyed, others excited. Phones were already pulled out as people started to record.

Ray’s reputation wasn’t just for show. Everyone knew how good he was with darts. It was almost freakish, the level of accuracy he had. He was the kind of guy that had made people pass out in fear just watching his throws. The fact that Liam—new, unknown in this circle—was actually betting against him?

That was unheard of.

Yet Liam looked unbothered.

Cool as ice.

He stood up from his chair calmly, eyes sweeping the room as people started clearing a wide space. Tables and chairs were moved aside. A few organizers noticed what was happening and—rather than stop it—they decided to roll with the excitement. After all, it was rare to see drama this interesting at a model event.

Soon enough, a dartboard was mounted on the far wall—right where the lighting hit perfectly. It wasn’t for apples yet, just a standard board for testing throws.

People gathered around in a wide circle, giving space but holding their phones up. Some whispered, others speculated, but all eyes were on Liam and Ray now.

Suddenly, the crowd parted slightly as a familiar figure pushed her way through.

Lana.

She looked dazed, confused, and visibly annoyed as she approached—holding a glass of water. "What the hell is going on?" she muttered.

And then she saw him.

Liam was walking toward her.

He was calm, confident... and stunning.

Her eyes flicked over his broad shoulders as he casually shrugged off his suit jacket, letting it fall into her hands with a smooth smile. "Hold this for me, will you?"

"W-what are you doing?" she asked, staring at him dumbly.

"Grabbing my drink," Liam said as he took the glass from her hand. He took a slow sip, placed it gently on a table nearby, and rolled his neck like he was preparing for something fun.

Then, with the smooth precision of someone who lived for moments like this, Liam rolled up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt, one arm at a time.

Every motion had the crowd’s eyes glued to him.

He didn’t need to try to look cool.

He was cool.

Once his sleeves were up, he turned and walked straight back toward Ray—his steps relaxed, his smirk returning. He passed the murmuring crowd, ignoring their hushed warnings and disbelief.

And when he got back to the dart table, he picked up one of the darts with a casual grip and murmured under his breath:

"This’ll be fun."

The metal tip gleamed in his fingers.

Ray just smiled back at him, amused. He thought this was going to be easy. Another cocky pretty boy with no clue what he’d gotten himself into.

But Liam?

He wasn’t here to play games.

He was here to make money!!!