As soon as I finished speaking, Aria and her best friend flew into a rage.
“Mr. Robert, what’s that supposed to mean? Are you calling us prostitutes?”
I curled my lips into a faint smile.
No need to answer, some things are better left understood in silence.
But my silence only fueled their anger. Impatience flared in their eyes.
“Mr. Robert! Let me make one thing clear,” Aria snapped.
“If you don’t apologize right now, I guarantee you won’t walk out of here unscathed!”
“Exactly,” her best friend chimed in.
“You’re a petty, narrow-minded loser. What makes you think you can come here and talk down to us? Take a good look in the mirror before you speak.”
“And don’t even think about asking for that red envelope back. It’s ours now. If you know what’s good for you, leave.”
Their words were absurd. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“You call me poor, over and over. Fine. But if I’m really so broke, why are you clinging so tightly to my money?”
I paused, then let the next line cut like a blade.
“Actually, I take back what I said earlier. Compared to real prostitutes, you two aren’t even worth that much.”
“At least they offer a service. You? You went straight for the cash without even trying to pretend.”
Then I held up my fingers, mocking them with a mental calculation.
“A single blind date nets you 10,000 dollars. If you’re lucky, maybe you get a free meal too. This is a solid gig, it’s faster than robbing a bank.”
Aria Johnson and her friend stood frozen, speechless, their faces pale.
There’s a saying. ‘Evil is best dealt with by evil.’
So today, I’ll be the one to dish it out.
“You can’t outtalk me and you definitely don’t dare to fight me. So, here’s my advice, hand over the money.”
I took a step forward, lowering my voice.
“What’s wrong with you girls? Playing scammer in broad daylight, don’t you feel even a shred of shame? What would your parents think?”
“I’ve got better things to do. If you don’t return the money right now, I’ll call the police and let them deal with you.”
The second I mentioned the police, panic washed over their faces.
“No, please. Don’t call the cops! We don’t have the money anymore!”
“What?” I narrowed my eyes.
“Then where did it go?”
I remembered clearly, my mother had handed the red envelope to them in person.
I saw it with my own eyes.
“It’s gone. We handed it over already...” Aria’s voice quivered.
She was clearly intimidated now, shrinking back like a cornered animal.
So, I was right. My mother had been scammed.
Who asks for 10,000 dollars as a meeting gift for a blind date? That’s not matchmaking, it’s extortion.
Yet my mom, bless her heart, actually believed it.
“To whom did you give the money?” I asked coldly.
“To... to Tiger Brother,” she whispered.
Tiger Brother?
Just from the name alone, it reeked of trouble.
“Tiger Brother? Is he your boss?” I asked, eyes narrowing.
Aria nodded and shockingly, her face lit up with admiration.
“Yes. Tiger Brother is the biggest gangster in Brooklyn. We’re just outsiders following him to make a living.”
I nearly choked.
“What year do you think this is? And people are still walking around calling themselves gangsters? Do they have a death wish?”
Apparently, that struck a nerve.
“Watch your mouth!” Aria shouted. “Don’t you dare insult my Tiger Brother. He is my idol!”
I stared at her, dumbfounded.
An idol? Seriously?
What kind of twisted values are girls growing up with these days? Worshipping underworld thugs? What is this, a bad crime drama?
“Alright then. Since the money is with your so-called Tiger Brother, I won’t waste any more time arguing with you two.”
They started to move toward the exit, thinking they were off the hook.
But just as they turned, I added coldly—
“Not so fast. Call your boss. Tell him to bring my money back. Now.”
