Chapter 48: Raising the Stakes

A few days later, inside Apex Media’s newly expanded esports division...

Dozens of nervous eyes shifted away from the glowing monitors, settling on the young billionaire standing at the back of the room.

Inside the newly renovated digital sports wing of Apex Media, a corporate standoff was brewing.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to accept this incredibly hostile exhibition match rested on Jude Lawson’s shoulders.

Right as the silence stretched to its breaking point, a familiar chime echoed in Jude’s mind.

[Objective: Eradicate the Vanguard faction’s arrogance in the digital arena. Demonstrate the superiority of Lawson Capital.]

[Requirement: Secure first place in the upcoming cross-studio exhibition match.]

[Reward upon completion: +2 Liquid Capital Sign-Ins, 1x High-Tier Corporate Asset Cache.]

Reading the interface hovering in his vision, Jude couldn’t help but let out a chilling laugh.

The system’s continuous influx of sign-in capital always arrived at the most opportune moments.

Without wasting a single second weighing the risks, Jude looked at the head coach of the gaming division. "Accept the exhibition terms. If they are desperate to bleed money in a public lobby, we will gladly oblige them."

Jude adjusted his cuffs before adding, "However, tell them a fifty-million-dollar wager is far too pathetic for my portfolio. If they genuinely want to make headlines today, bump the stakes to a flat one hundred million."

The gaming facility erupted into chaos. The professional athletes leaped out of their chairs, shouting with excitement.

Following Jude’s direct authorization, the facility manager immediately transmitted the escalated terms to the Vanguard executive offices.

Shockingly, the rival conglomerate accepted the nine-figure wager without a shred of hesitation.

The managing director of their gaming division, who was also the arrogant heir to the Vanguard empire, was personally leading his roster across town to the Apex facility right at this very moment.

They were coming to play a zero-ping exhibition match.

The stakes: One Hundred Million Dollars.

...

Barely thirty minutes later, the doors to the Apex training arena swung open.

Preston Vanguard strutted into the room, flanked by a entourage of coaches and more than a dozen backup players.

Dressed in exorbitant streetwear, the young heir carried a palpable aura of unearned superiority.

The moment Preston stepped onto the main floor, his gaze locked onto Jude.

He offered a sneer. "You actually have the balls to risk a hundred million dollars against my roster, Lawson? Fine. I accept."

Preston crossed his arms. "I can easily stomach a hundred-million-dollar loss. I just hope you don’t call your lawyers to void the contract when my boys humiliate you on your own servers."

The world-class players standing behind Jude immediately fired back on their CEO’s behalf.

"Are you delusional, Preston? Mr. Lawson just dropped over a billion dollars to acquire our entire studio. Do you honestly think a hundred million means anything to him?"

"Keep acting tough, Preston! We all know Vanguard Media is bleeding quarterly revenue! When you lose this hundred million, you’re going to have to beg your daddy for a bailout!"

The mockery from the Apex players caused Preston’s smug expression to darken into a vicious scowl.

"What the hell gives you Apex losers the right to talk down to us?! You think getting bought out by some Wall Street suit magically makes you invincible?!"

Preston laughed, stepping forward to close the distance.

He pointed a finger toward Jude’s chest. "When I destroy Team Apex today, I’m going to make you realize what a catastrophic investment this buyout was."

"The next global championship belongs to Vanguard. Today is simply a preview of your inevitable bankruptcy!"

Preston’s arrogance stemmed from genuine confidence.

On the competitive ladder, Preston was universally recognized as a quasi-professional talent.

In the high-speed realm of competitive gaming, he feared no one...

Certain of his total victory, Preston maintained a cocky smirk as he introduced his starting lineup.

"Since you’re about to lose a fortune, I’ll do you the courtesy of introducing the men who will take your money," Preston boasted, gesturing to his elite athletes. "I brought my lethal Top-Lane specialist, our optimized Support, the best Jungler in the hemisphere, and a bot-lane carry."

Preston chuckled, tapping his own chest. "As for the critical Core DPS role in the Mid-Lane? I’ll be taking that seat personally. I’m going to show you exactly how terrifying a fully integrated Vanguard roster can be!"

Hearing Preston’s declaration, the five Apex champions turned to Jude, their faces flushed with fury.

"Mr. Lawson, don’t let this spoiled brat intimidate you. We will obliterate them on the servers! The four of us, plus you in the fifth seat? I guarantee we’ll wipe the floor with them."

The Apex players stared down their rivals, eagerly waiting for Jude to finalize their battle strategy.

Jude allowed a smile to break across his face.

He was immensely satisfied by the unbridled hostility radiating from his newly acquired assets.

"Since the Vanguard heir wants to play the hero, I’ll personally take the Mid-Lane Core DPS role."

"Let’s see exactly how much his confidence is truly worth."

Preston burst into a fit of hysterical laughter.

Hearing that the stiff billionaire actually intended to duel him in the most demanding lane on the map was just too rich.

"You? Dueling me in the Mid-Lane? That is genuinely the most pathetic thing I’ve ever heard!" Preston wiped a tear from his eye. "Let me educate you, Lawson. Even my own salaried champions admit that my spell-weaving is lethal!"

Jude chuckled, turning his gaze toward the four Apex champions.

He cleared his throat. "Before we log into the lobby, there is one minor financial adjustment I need to clarify."

Jude slid his hands into his pockets.

"When you four gentlemen assist me in seizing Preston’s hundred million dollars today, I am going to liquidate fifty million of those winnings as a direct bonus."

"The four of you will evenly split forty million dollars in liquid cash. The remaining ten million will be distributed evenly among the coaching and support staff."

The four professional athletes who were scheduled to play the match froze, their faces draining of color before flushing with hysteria.

"Mr. Lawson... are you... are you serious?! If we win this single exhibition match, we each walk away with ten million dollars cash?!"

"Holy shit! That’s literally more than I’ve made in five years of global tournament prizes combined! Boss, we are going to murder them!"