As the Russian man and the head of the Warehouse watched Derrick, they realized that he had gone beyond ruthless to complete lunacy.
While ruthless criminals usually only threatened with bombs, expecting to go down together in a big deal, a lunatic was different.
Derrick was now strapped with a bomb that he couldn't even control, and he seemed to have no regard for his own life or the lives of those around him.
They were completely unsure of what Derrick would do next, and this uncertainty gnawed at their hearts, making them reluctant to take any action until they understood his true motives.
Terrified by Derrick's unpredictable behaviour, the two small-time bosses abandoned any plans of dismantling the bomb. They knew that they were dealing with someone completely unhinged, and they were not willing to take any unnecessary risks.
The Russian boss then spoke up, "Now that we've had a chance to sit down and talk, may I ask, what business brings you here?"
Derrick shrugged the matter off his shoulders casually and said, "Oh, nothing in particular. I was just taking a walk and happened to pass by. I got curious about the warehouse and decided to check it out."
Ross and the Warehouse head exchanged incredulous looks. How could anyone nonchalantly take a stroll around with a C4 bomb strapped to their body?
Ignoring their expressions, Derrick gestured to the gang members around him and said, "Don't worry about me. Just go about your business and pretend I'm not here. When you're finished, I'll leave on my own."
One of the boys from the Russian gang then spoke up. "But the deal was over a long time ago."
"Then, let's trade again," Derrick said, crossing his legs and speaking with an air of authority. "You'll inspect the goods for me and you will count the money. Make sure to keep your eyes open and double-check everything. If there are any issues or discrepancies, I'll settle the score with you."
The two Warehouse men who were tasked with inspecting the goods exchanged nervous glances with each other, while the Russian gang's boys assigned to count the money looked at their leader for guidance.
When Derrick announced that he would leave, the Russian man gritted his teeth and gave his subordinates the order to count the money. The Warehouse head took a few deep breaths before ordering his men to inspect the goods.
The tension in the room was palpable. Each member was acutely aware of Derrick's presence and the danger of the bomb that he carried with him.
Seeing that the real boss had spoken, the subordinates reluctantly obeyed, going through the motions of inspecting the goods and counting the money for Derrick.
However, Derrick was not fooled by their superficial actions. He paid close attention to every detail in the warehouse.
Suddenly, he pointed at one of the Warehouse men and erupted in fury, "Who do you think you're fooling? Do you think I'm blind? I bet you're an undercover gang member. Well, I'm going to take care of you right now!"
Derrick stood up, the red light on his chest flickering faster and faster. The other gang members all backed away in fear.
The gangsters threw away the pork and money and fell to the ground with their heads covered in fear again.
"Mister, forgive them, please. They are just some youngsters." The two little bosses scrambled to placate Derrick, pleading with him to forgive their young subordinates.
But Derrick was not in the mood for forgiving. "This person looks like an undercover agent of some gang!" he shouted, his anger mounting. "How can I trust anything that's been counted or inspected by criminals like him?"
The person in charge of the Warehouse stood up suddenly and grabbed the innocent man, raining blows down on him in front of Derrick. The poor Warehouse boy crumpled to the ground, unconscious and battered.
"You're right. He was an undercover agent of the gang," the Warehouse boss said coolly. "Now that the matter is settled, let's continue with the transaction."
The warehouse head just wanted to get rid of the madman in front of him and he even mumbled an apology to his passed-out lackey.
"Yes, boss." The gangsters yelled.
Derrick gave a thumbs-up, as the red light slowed down again.
With the lesson learned, the subordinates did not dare to perfunctory Derrick.
At least on the surface, they checked the goods and money carefully, and from time to time they sighed "it's real goods", "it's real money", and "it's real pork", lest Derrick couldn't see how serious they were.
Back in his seat, Derrick grabbed the poker cards lying on the metal table as if nothing had happened recently.
"While they are checking everything, why not play cards? How about the 3 cards game?" Derrick suggested.
Derrick briefly introduced the rules of a game he created himself and the two quickly understood how to play. Immediately afterwards, Derrick proposed to play more excitingly, using 1,000 USD as the basic chip.
Although none of the two was interested, under Derrick's oppression, they accepted the untimely proposal.
Derrick won the first two rounds. The Russian man and the Warehouse man paid Derrick without any bargaining. Their minds were not focused on the game but on their own subordinates.
Seeing their subordinates suddenly stop their movements, their originally dull eyes lit up.
"Look, the inspection is over!" The two hurriedly called Derrick, who was counting the money.
Derrick put away all the banknotes he had won in his pockets and glanced at them casually. "Oh, then have you made the deal?"
"Yes!! We are all very satisfied! It was really good." The two nodded.
The Russian man tentatively asked, "According to our agreement, you must leave now, or if you want to, we can be the ones to leave."
The person in charge of the Warehouse glared at him fiercely. The Russian man was throwing this lunatic at him!?
"Actually, that's true." Derrick nodded and then changed his voice, "But our interesting card game has just started. We can't be disturbed by such trivial things, let them continue to inspect the goods and make a deal again. If you don't win at least 20 rounds, no one will leave today."