When they arrived at the place, there were more than just sports cars—the music could be heard all around, and even before entering the parking area, the place was full of teenagers.
"They're with me. Be natural, and if something bothers you, don't forget to tell me. I'll take care of it for you." Jackson looked at his friends, who seemed a little nervous about the environment around them.
Miguel nodded and couldn't help saying, "I don't think we should be natural."
Jackson smiled but said nothing, got out of his car, and soon the smell of all kinds of substances flooded his nostrils.
"The champion of the five districts of New York."
"Is that the guy they were talking about?"
Jackson's arrival caused many to start shouting his nickname, but he walked toward the mansion where the night party was being held.
"Champion of the five districts?" Miguel knew little about Jackson beyond the fact that he was a good guy, so he didn't know what Jackson's identity was in this kind of party.
"Yes, I'm a three-time champion of the Five Districts Tournament in New York." Jackson smiled before being received by security guards who respectfully led him to the area where the VIPs were gathered.
Ryan, surrounded by friends and his girlfriend, stood up as soon as he saw him and shouted, "To be the best, you must beat the best, and I can tell you that my brother here has not been defeated in the tournaments I organized."
Jackson pointed to a spot so his friends could sit and then greeted Ryan, who was drinking. "You shouldn't drink so much if you plan to fight."
"I won't fight tonight. The matches are reserved for sponsored fighters—they're looking for new prospects to invest their money in." Ryan pointed at the old men in the distance who were surrounded by women.
Jackson nodded, and before he sat down, Ryan said, "But I have a reserved spot for you if you want to fight."
"Not tonight."
"Didn't you say you'd fight anyone who challenged you?" At that moment, a tall guy approached and looked Jackson up and down.
"Are you sure you have what it takes to challenge me to a fight?" Jackson gave him an uninterested look and turned around.
"Put me to the test."
"That's what everyone says before I knock their teeth out."
Devon, who was watching the scene, couldn't help telling Miguel, "From what he told me, he used to fight at these kinds of parties."
"What kind of fights?" Miguel asked her while drinking a soda.
"Mixed martial arts."
"Let's fight! And I will knock your teeth out, you damn coward!"
Ryan stepped forward and said with a huge smile, "This is Alex. He'll be fighting tonight and he traveled all the way from Canada to fight you."
"I watched your fights on the network you run, and I think you're a good fighter—one I want to beat."
"That's interesting, but… If you win, you'll earn some reputation from where you're from. But if you lose, what do I gain besides money?" Jackson asked, making the others agree.
"I'll give you my vehicle."
"I have better ones."
"Are you a damn sissy?"
Ryan stopped Alex before he caused more commotion and pulled him aside to talk privately.
Miguel looked at Jackson, who had sat down next to him, and asked, "Do you know him?"
"No, I think he's an idiot who knows me from my previous fights and now wants to measure his ego against mine." Jackson shook his head, then stood up and walked toward the bar to get more drinks.
Devon was looking at the fight arena not too far away, which was literally a ring with a sand floor. "Amazing…"
"I didn't think any girl would be here for fun. How did you become Jackson's girlfriend?" A very attractive blonde girl approached Devon and sat beside her.
Miguel moved away a bit due to his nerves and focused on watching the dancing girls while talking to someone else.
Devon, on the other hand, asked, "Do you know him well?"
"Just what many people say. I've also watched a fight or two of his because he's friends with my current boyfriend. By the way, my name is Baja Miller, nice to meet you." Baja, Ryan's latest girlfriend, sat next to Devon to chat.
"Devon Lee, and no, I'm just Jackson's friend." Devon didn't feel the need to deny being Jackson's partner in front of such an attractive girl, but she still did it to avoid misunderstandings.
"Jackson doesn't have many friends, especially not girls—you're the only one. Maybe he changed after coming back from New York, but guys don't change very often."
Devon then understood Jackson much better. Not long ago he had stopped participating in fights like these, where violence was completely allowed.
And she was surprised to learn that many feared Jackson and others hated him—unbelievable for a boy who wasn't even eighteen yet.