Chapter 222: Violent Layoffs? I'm in the Upper Atmosphere on This Move!

How could a dog that obeys absolutely dare to cheat behind its master?

That question instantly chilled the room.

If the explanation doesn't add up, the Gambler's head will have to be moved today.

"This..."

The Gambler opened his mouth, his scarred face stiffening like a dried orange peel, stuck.

Meanwhile, Magu tilted her head, the eyes behind the mask blinking.

"That's not right, Wang."

"Hasn't that old thing already been kicked by that so‑called Scale?"

"Since they've all been dismissed..."

"Does that mean his Servitude Contract with his former employer is automatically void?"

Magu, though, is a lunatic.

But after all, she's a V-shaped Calamity, and she's crystal clear on every detail of these rules and constraints.

She counted on her fingers.

"If the contract isn't terminated, the organization becomes his guardian."

"Then the organization has to take the blame for that astronomical bad debt he owes you."

"If you want to dump the blame cleanly, you have to do a split! What's that term called again?"

"Oh right! No-Responsibility Salary, Immediate Dismissal!"

Beside him, the Gambler heard that and grimaced bitterly.

"Miss, you live so transparently."

"Mr. Su, the people of the Chaotic Scale are capitalists who carve profit into the seams of bone!"

"In their assessment reports... my remaining value doesn't even match the Chip you're owed!"

"It's even less worth fighting a killing god like you just to protect me!"

"So, even though I'm now a bereaved dog..."

He lifted his head, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes.

"But also a wild dog whose leash has been cut!"

"The contract was torn apart, so I can stand here to discuss cooperation with you, to talk about how to take them down!"

Su Ming thought for a moment and nodded.

This logic checks out.

To avoid debt risk, they chose violent layoffs, and also tossed the pot cleanly.

That does fit those people's nature.

"But..."

Su Ming shifted his tone, his expression turning playful again.

"Kicking you out to avoid debt, giving you freedom again..."

"This script sounds... a bit like a blessing in disguise, doesn't it?!"

"Come, let's rewind and review."

Su Ming, hands behind his back, paced through the luxurious casino.

"You say that because of your private actions you caused massive losses, triggered the company's risk control, and were abandoned."

"That outcome, no problem."

"But... is that really your motive?"

"The renowned Gambler would act so impulsively, so foolish?"

Su Ming stopped walking.

"You're a Gambler, you love to gamble..."

"Is it possible that from the start you were already planning another... suicidal high‑stakes gamble?"

The Gambler furrowed his brow, his eyes dazed.

"Mr. Su, I don't understand."

"No! You understand perfectly!"

Su Ming retorted aloud.

"You crave freedom too much."

"That so‑called Chaotic Scale treats you like a dog, like consumable material."

"You want to flee, to resist, but that contract is like a tightening curse, preventing even the thought of rebellion."

"So, you came up with a scheme."

"Since you can't voluntarily terminate..."

"Then force the boss to voluntarily fire you!"

Su Ming smiled.

His Smile Mask was radiant, yet made people's backs shiver.

He pointed at himself, then at the bizarre casino.

"I'm a variable, also an opportunity."

"You forced me into this group."

"If you win, you solo‑kill the Top-ranked Big Brother, make a fortune, your value skyrockets, giving you capital to challenge the organization!"

"But if you lose..."

"You lose everything, not only wiping out your family fortune, but also provoking a mad dog you simply can't mess with…"

"You've turned this into a complete upheaval, an irredeemable mess!"

Su Ming reached out and patted the gambler's stiff old face.

"You know those capitalists all too well."

"Once you become a massive Negative Asset, once you turn into a time bomb that can blow up the entire organization…"

"To cut losses, to sever ties…"

"They will, without hesitation—kick you out!"

"Being kicked out means losing protection, being liquidated, and you might even die in a gruesome way…"

"But…"

Su Ming leaned forward.

"Compared to being a dog whose very death is never its own…"

"This freedom…"

"…is the Chip you truly want to win back in this gamble, right?"

Dead silence.

Beside them, Magu opened her mouth wide, her eyes behind the mask bulging.

Huh?

Can it still be played like this?!

Using one's own life as bait, burning the whole legacy as firewood, even using the king as a pawn…

All just to gamble for a chance to be dismissed?!

"Huh… Huh…"

The gambler's chest rose and fell violently.

For a long while.

He smiled.

His smile was a bit manic, a bit relieved.

"Heh, Mr. Su…"

"You really are… a madman as well."

No denial.

And there's no need to deny it further.

Playing dumb in front of such a clever person is just performing as a Clown.

The gambler slowly straightened his spine.

The ill-fitting tailcoat at that moment somehow looked a bit tragic.

"Exactly!"

"I'm gambling!"

"This fucked-up world, everyone wants to live."

"But if even your soul is being squeezed in someone's hand, living like a marionette—what the hell's the point of living ten thousand years?!"

His eyes reddened, staring straight at Su Ming, with no evasion left.

"I'm using you."

"This is an open scheme."

"You're strong enough, ruthless enough, perverse enough!"

"Only you can make this disaster big enough, big enough that those shrewd riffraff have to cut off their own arms!"

"That round…"

"I actually didn't lose."

"From my perspective, I actually won the gamble!"

"The price was my entire fortune, most of my life, exchanged for this broken body's freedom!"

He paused.

"I said I'd topple the Chaotic Scale, not daydream, not pump up."

"It's revenge!"

"After revenge, you'll set me free, let me fend for myself!"

"Or you'll kill or maim!"

"Your call!"

Su Ming stood in place, quietly watching this almost manic man.

These days, not many fear madmen.

What you fear is a madman with a brain.

Someone who dares to stake their life to exploit a Rule bug, who dares to turn a dead end into a comeback point…

Indeed, far more useful—and far more dangerous—than Tang Zhong, that wind‑following, blabbermouth waste.

Useful, but far too dangerous.

"Fine, here's your last chance."

"Anything else you need to explain, grab it yourself."

Su Ming's gaze was indifferent, saying no more.

The gambler surely understood his meaning.

He also knows how huge the logical flaws are in his previous talk of deep brotherly affection!

An old veteran like him…

Would he develop such a hatred capable of scorching the heavens and boiling the seas just because a subordinate was killed right before his eyes?

He doesn't believe it!

The con artist?

If there truly were one, they'd immediately lose restraint and fight desperately, not swallow their anger like a dog and watch the whole thing through.

To make him develop this overwhelming murderous intent now, even dragging the Chaotic Scale along in death as a burial offering.

There must be another reason!

The Gambler looked at Su Ming, his eyes reddening, and finally reached out his hand.

Su Ming was startled, but quickly understood and handed over the cigar.

Clack—!

The cigar was lit.

Hoo—!

The Gambler exhaled a smoke ring, his gaze complex.

Things have come to this.

If this heart pocket isn't emptied cleanly, we won't get past this hurdle!