Chapter Fifty-Two: Defeated Until You Despair (3)

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The Prodigal Heir – Chapter Fifty-Two: Losing Until You're Afraid (3)
Freed at last, Jerrison gasped for breath. He could sense his employer’s anxiety, but he himself was even more unsettled. “Boss… do you know who he is? Boss, what are we going to do? His five billion is about to be lost again!”
Camillo wiped the sweat from his brow with his hand. “Don’t talk about that. Even if he loses another hundred billion, it’s nothing but a game to him… No, this can’t…”
With that, Camillo no longer cared for his status. He didn’t wait for his bodyguards to clear a path. Relying on his own towering frame, he barged inward, while Jerrison stood frozen in place. At his level, he simply couldn’t believe that anyone in the world could afford to lose a hundred billion as if it were nothing. No matter how he tried, it was impossible to comprehend. His mind boiled down to just two words: nonsense.
How much wealth does the richest in the world truly possess? Most so-called assets are tied up in stocks and real estate—how much of it is actually liquid?
“Stop right there!” When Camillo finally forced his way through the crowd into the inner circle, the bodyguards stationed at the perimeter stopped him. Fang Meng had noticed him the moment he entered the hall.
Xiao Tianshi was nearly asleep now; he had drunk far too much, continuously, and hardly eaten anything. Yet, in his drunken haze, he still managed to mumble, “Bet… Banker… Bet…”
Hearing the sound, Lin Jian turned his head. Camillo, seeing Lin Jian, immediately put on a cheerful face to build rapport. “Ah… Chief Steward, hello! I'm Camillo—we met just a few days ago at the wedding.”
Lin Jian certainly knew who he was; the profiles of these people were all in his mind. He raised his hand to signal the guards to let Camillo in.
Camillo stepped forward, warmly extending his hand to Lin Jian. “Chief Steward, I didn’t expect it would really be you. Why didn’t you notify us in advance of your visit?”
Lin Jian shook his hand politely, his manner calm. “I’m accompanying the boss. We happened to come to Mr. Camillo’s casino; the boss is in high spirits today and decided to play a few rounds.”
It wasn’t that Camillo didn’t want to speak with Xiao Tianshi; last time he had only glimpsed him from afar. However, Lin Jian, who handled reception at the door, he remembered very well.
“You are Mr. Xiao. I am Camillo. It is a pleasure to have you here.”

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By now, Xiao Tianshi was truly spent, nearly asleep, and paid no attention to Camillo’s words.
Camillo smiled and nodded to Lin Jian. Though he received no response from Xiao Tianshi, he took no offense. At his level, he understood well: a dragon must soar, a snake must coil. Every person acts according to their status and speaks according to their position.
Lin Jian glanced again and saw his boss using a wine bottle as a pillow, apparently fast asleep.
“Mr. Camillo, please prepare a suite. The boss needs to rest first. If there are further matters, we will discuss them once he wakes.”
Hearing this, Camillo was delighted and hurried to make arrangements. The casino staff immediately began dispersing the crowd, and a member of the security team carried Xiao Tianshi away, surrounded by a protective escort.
Those who witnessed today’s gambling will never forget it; it was more fantastical than anything in the movies. The dealer who won a hundred billion from Xiao Tianshi was carried away as well. After that day, he never worked in a casino again—he was given a sum of money and vanished.
Jerrison followed along, busy and anxious. Finally, once Xiao Tianshi was settled in the presidential suite, everyone could breathe again.
Jerrison couldn’t understand who these people really were. He believed his employer’s words, but was also skeptical. Camillo, meanwhile, was preparing to hold a meeting to discuss next steps.
Inside were two of Camillo’s assistants, a deputy director, the casino manager, and Jerrison. Except for the deputy, none knew of the Xiao family’s existence.
Camillo took several deep drags of his cigar and looked at the group. “What do you think we should do about this?”
No one spoke. Camillo looked from one to another, and when none responded, he stood, pointing and cursing, “The lot of you—I hired you all just to sit here? Think of something! You take high salaries, but when trouble comes, you’re all silent—think, quickly, and give me a solution!”
Jerrison replied helplessly, “Boss, who is he, really? We have no way to figure out what to do… Besides, he lost on his own; I tried to stop him several times…”
“Shut up!” Camillo pointed at Jerrison. “Lost on his own? Thirty rounds, all the same outcome—you believe that? What if he asks about it? Do you realize we’re finished? I’m finished, you’re all finished—do you understand? Ruined!”

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The deputy director was a member of the Camillo family; he had accompanied Camillo to the wedding a few days ago, so when he heard Camillo address the chief steward, he understood. Seeing Camillo’s frantic state, the deputy said, “Boss, perhaps we should communicate with them. Even if we can’t speak directly with Mr. Xiao, at least talk with the chief steward. That way, we can understand what’s really going on.”
Camillo smoked furiously. The deputy saw the confusion in everyone’s faces and began to explain, “The man who just arrived, the drunk one, is Xiao Tianshi, the sole heir to the Xiao family’s legacy. The man beside him is Lin Jian, the chief steward of the Xiao family. As for the Xiao family, you probably have never heard of them. Only major families, national leaders, and top-tier elites know of their existence. For over a century, the Xiao family has been among the most powerful Chinese families. Their wealth surpasses what you think of as the world’s richest.”
“They are discreet in their affairs, never appearing publicly, or only under strict circumstances. Thirty years ago, the family head—Xiao Tianshi’s father, Xiao Lin—joined forces with many entrepreneurs to establish the Sino-American Group.”
“Ah…” The others, including Jerrison, exclaimed softly. The names in this story were unfamiliar, but Sino-American Group was well-known—the world’s largest conglomerate, ranked first among the Fortune Global 500.
“However, their control is behind the scenes, so few know that the Xiao family is the true owner. Even now, the Xiao family should hold at least thirty percent of the shares. The exact figure is unclear, but you can imagine what thirty percent of Sino-American is worth—at least a trillion dollars. And the Xiao family has countless other assets. They are, without question, the world’s wealthiest, and the man you saw is the sole heir and master of all that fortune. I don’t think I need to say more. Now, let’s find a solution.”
Jerrison felt chills run down his spine and sweat break out all over. The casino manager, now aware of Xiao Tianshi’s identity, realized they were in deep trouble. He might have the status to say a hundred billion isn’t much, but it’s hardly a trivial sum, and if Xiao Tianshi pursues the matter, everyone knows what could happen.
“Speak! Quickly, what do we do?” Camillo roared again in frustration.
The manager hastily replied, “Boss, maybe we should just return all the money to him?”
“Damn it, are you brainless? If it were that simple, would we need you? You won thirty rounds from him! What if he keeps gambling tomorrow, or decides to retaliate against our casino or the Camillo family? You pig-headed fool.”
The manager’s head dropped in shame. At that moment, Jerrison’s eyes lit up. “Boss, I think I have a good idea.”
(Read… read… finished, right? Well then… rob… collect… click… recommend… vote—bring them all out. Don’t… don’t… laugh… I’m robbing you…)