Chapter 654 A Golden Opportunity?
"Not interested. Save the opportunity for someone else."
Ryder couldn't be bothered with Ursa. He turned and climbed into his delivery truck, driving away.
Ursa stood there, dumbfounded. She hadn't expected him to show zero interest!
Then again, springing the whole marrying-into-a-family thing on someone would catch most people off guard. He probably thought she was running some kind of scam!
Ursa had put a lot of effort into finding a suitable son-in-law for her boss. They'd privately vetted numerous candidates, only to walk away disappointed each time. Most men simply weren't good enough for her boss—their character was lacking.
Now she'd finally found someone smart and kind like Ryder, and she wasn't about to give up.
"That man has excellent character. We should keep an eye on him for Miss Newman! Max, follow that truck!"
Ursa slid back into the car and instructed the driver to pursue Ryder.
"Max, from a man's perspective, do you think the benefits of marrying into a wealthy family that I described would appeal to someone?"
"Absolutely!"
"Then why did he show no interest? Maybe I should have mentioned the Newman name specifically?" Ursa pouted, her eyes full of confusion.
"Very likely! If you'd dropped the Newman name, I doubt anyone could resist that temptation!"
"True! Though if he had agreed right away, I would've eliminated him as a candidate. I just hope when I reveal the Newman connection, he'll still say no," Ursa admitted.
"Let's hope so! And let's hope he passes our test and isn't already married!" Max sighed.
Just yesterday they'd found a promising candidate, only to discover after all their effort that he already had children.
Ursa laughed at the thought. "No way! He's just a delivery guy!"
To her, the possibility seemed extremely remote.
"He seems pretty decent. What if someone already noticed his good character?" the driver questioned, while continuing to tail Ryder as instructed.
Ursa watched Ryder's delivery truck and sighed. "Not to be harsh, but girls these days are practical. No matter how nice a guy is, they won't marry someone without money or prospects. They'll just give him a 'nice guy' card while climbing into some rich man's luxury car."
Her words were brutal, but Ursa was actually pleased. This reality made it easier to find her boss a husband who wouldn't mind marrying into a family.
Max nodded. "Like they say online: 'Better to cry in a BMW than laugh on a bicycle.'"
"Exactly."
Meanwhile, Ryder had noticed the Mercedes following him but couldn't be bothered to deal with it. He continued his deliveries as usual.
He parked his truck at the edge of an alley, grabbed a package, and started walking deeper into the passage.
After just a few steps, he heard a crash behind him. His delivery truck had been flipped over, packages scattered everywhere.
"Hey! What are you doing?" Ryder shouted, running back toward his truck.
Before he could reach it, several men surrounded him.
"Remember me, kid? I told you I'd be back!" A middle-aged man glared at Ryder menacingly.
Ryder thought the man's features looked familiar. Thinking back to the fake elderly scammer, he frowned. "You're the con artist from earlier!"
Definitely! The facial features matched, just about ten years younger than the "elderly man"—clearly the work of makeup.
The man grinned at Ryder, then hardened his expression. "That was my father you messed with! You delivery boy piece of trash, you've got a death wish! Do you know who I am? I'm Zach, and I run this street."
"Sorry, don't know you," Ryder shrugged.
Zach put his hands on his hips. "Asshole, you've got two choices. First, pay my dad's ten thousand dollars, plus another ten for emotional damages—twenty thousand total. Or second, you can refuse to pay, but my boys here will beat you until your own mother wouldn't recognize you. Twenty grand for your life—your call!"
Ryder responded firmly, "Neither. In fact, you need to pay for damaging my truck and packages."
"Well, aren't you tough! Let's see how stubborn you are after we're done with you!"
Zach gritted his teeth. "Know which gang we're from? Silver Wolf Gang! You're screwed! Get him, boys!"
Ryder took a fighting stance. "Bring it on! I could use the practice!"
After Sarah and Barbara's kidnapping incident, Ryder had made a painful realization. Since then, he'd been getting daily combat training from Rex while he recovered at home.
In critical moments, these skills would help him protect not just himself, but those he cared about—unlike last time when he'd been forced to watch helplessly as Tyler and his men did whatever they wanted after Rex was injured.
The thugs surrounding Ryder hesitated. This delivery guy's cold stare and stance suggested he knew what he was doing.
They were getting nervous.
Zach roared: "Attack, all of you! We are Silver Wolves!"
His words galvanized the other six men. That's right—they were backed by one of Aurora City's most notorious gangs! And seven against one gave them overwhelming odds.
They charged.
The first thug swung a club at Ryder, but before it could connect, Ryder's fist was faster, landing squarely in the man's face and making him see stars.
Three more attacked together.
Ryder's punches were lightning-fast, his footwork agile. Soon, all three thugs were on the ground, holding their noses and howling in pain.
Four down!
Zach and his remaining men were stunned. How could a delivery guy be this skilled?
"Who are you really? Someone this good should be a bodyguard or in a gang. What future is there in delivering packages?" Zach asked, buying time.
Ryder smirked. "None of your business!"
"You—!" Zach suppressed his anger. "Fine, everyone stand back. Let me see how good you really are! I've had professional combat training!"
He pushed his men aside, cracked his knuckles, and lunged at Ryder.
Ryder dodged just in time. That was close! He had to admit—this guy had real skills. Time to get serious.
Fist against fist! Kick against kick! Dodge and counter! Retreat and advance!
For nearly three minutes, neither gained a clear advantage.
Then suddenly, Zach pulled a small knife from his pocket. The blade flashed as he thrust it toward Ryder's stomach.
Ryder knew he was in trouble. He raised his arm to block.
The knife sliced into his right arm, cutting through his sleeve and opening a long, deep gash. Blood seeped out, quickly staining his jacket red.
Damn it!
Ryder clutched his injured arm, glaring at Zach.
"What, did you think this was some sanctioned match with rules against weapons?" Zach laughed triumphantly.
He rushed at Ryder again, knife in hand.
Ryder timed his counterattack, but Zach skillfully evaded each attempt. Ryder inwardly grimaced—his combat skills still needed work.
He was losing ground.
Soon he found himself backed into a corner.
Zach didn't rush. He flipped the knife closed and looked at Ryder with amusement. "One last chance—choose life or pay us twenty thousand dollars?"
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