Teddy hadn't lived in this neighborhood for years, so he didn't have a car nearby; he had taken a taxi over earlier.
That worked out perfectly for Dexter.
After leaving the Gallagher house, Dexter spotted Teddy walking away at a glance and couldn't help but grin.
Since Teddy wasn't driving, there was no need to rush. He could wait until Teddy was a little further away before making contact.
Before long, Dexter got into his car and drove in Teddy's direction. He passed him, pulled over about two hundred meters ahead, lit a cigarette, and waited quietly.
A moment later, Teddy walked up.
"Hey, want to make some more money?" Dexter cut straight to the chase.
Seeing Dexter and hearing the offer, Teddy smiled. "Of course."
"Then get in. Maybe we can make a deal. I can give you a ride back while we talk," Dexter said with a smile.
Teddy wasn't afraid of Dexter in the slightest. Without hesitation, he hopped into the passenger seat.
Dexter hit the gas. "Where are you staying?"
Teddy gave him the address of Roberta's house.
"Got it," Dexter replied, knowing the place. Then, he got down to business. "I assume you still have the original copy of that video, right?"
Teddy pulled out a cigarette and lit it. "So?"
"I'll give you ten thousand dollars. After you get back, you call the police. How about it?" Dexter smiled.
Hearing this, Teddy was genuinely surprised. He instinctively looked Dexter up and down, confused. "I thought you were banging that Fiona girl."
Dexter shook his head. "No."
Teddy laughed. "Then I don't get it. If you wanted to screw them over, why did you help them just now?"
"If I didn't help them, the most you would have done is beat them up. I lent them the money, and now... they can go enjoy a little time in prison. That sounds better, don't you think?"
Teddy thought about it for a second and understood. "Haha, I didn't expect someone who looks so normal to have such a black heart!"
Dexter shook his head again. "You don't understand. I'm helping them."
Teddy was surprised again, but then he figured it out. "Interesting. Very interesting! You want them to experience prison so they get scared enough to change their shameless way of living?"
Hearing this.
It was Dexter's turn to be surprised.
He hadn't expected this big old thug to be so sharp.
"You could say that," Dexter nodded.
Was he helping? Yes, in a way.
But at this point, perhaps playing with their fate was the primary motivation.
After all, it was quite entertaining.
"Ten thousand isn't enough," Teddy didn't mince words, smiling as he spoke. "You're asking me to go back on my word. You're asking me to sell my integrity."
Dexter was amused.
Integrity, my ass.
You don't look like a man with much integrity.
"How much do you want?" Dexter didn't mind. He had plenty of Merit Points, and as for money, if he ran out, he could just open more chests. No big deal.
"Fifty thousand," Teddy replied decisively.
In Teddy's eyes, this guy drove a Ferrari. He was loaded.
Naturally, he had to milk this for all it was worth.
"Twenty thousand," Dexter countered without elaborate arguments.
Teddy was ready to haggle. "Forty-five."
And so, after a bit of back and forth.
The price settled at thirty thousand dollars.
"Half now. The other half after Fiona is in jail," Dexter said.
Teddy had no objections and extended his hand. "Pleasure doing business."
"Pleasure," Dexter shook Teddy's hand. "This conversation never happened."
"Of course."
"You know how to handle it, right?" Dexter asked.
"Prison is practically my second home. Don't worry, I know the drill," Teddy said with a touch of pride.
"Good. Also, there's one thing you need to watch out for. There's a cop in this precinct named Tony. He's been trying to sleep with Fiona forever but hasn't succeeded. If you just call 911, Tony will likely intercept the case. I need you to go to the station personally and file the report with a different officer," Dexter instructed.
"Haha, really? Is this Tony guy that ugly? A woman like Fiona who sleeps with anyone won't sleep with him?" Teddy laughed loudly.
Dexter found it funny too. "He's not ugly. As for why he can't get her into bed, who knows."
"Alright, it's a deal. Whenever you bring the money, I'll go to the station and handle this beautifully," Teddy laughed, seeing no issue with it.
It was normal.
They were all shameless people. What was a little betrayal?
Besides, it was thirty thousand dollars.
Only a fool would turn that down.
"Okay, I'll drop you off first, then go get the cash," Dexter replied.
---
The Gallagher House.
It felt like a dream.
That much money could have let the family live comfortably for at least half a year. Instead, before they could even warm it up, it was gone.
Not only that, they now owed Dexter twenty-four thousand dollars.
How were they supposed to pay that back?
Fiona slumped on the sofa in despair, her head tilted back, chain-smoking cigarette after cigarette.
Veronica sat beside her. She had already said all the comforting words she could think of. Now, all she could do was offer her company.
Debbie looked miserable, wanting to say something but not knowing what to say.
Carl didn't have much of a visible reaction; he was silently plotting ways to make money to pay Dexter back.
Lip frowned deeply, smoking continuously. Occasionally, he looked at Fiona, wanting to speak, but ultimately stayed silent.
Ian sat quietly, completely helpless regarding the family's state.
Just then.
Monica, who really disliked and couldn't adapt to this heavy atmosphere, smiled like an idiot and spoke up. "Don't be like this. Everyone, cheer up! We solved the problem in the end, didn't we?"
Frank exploded immediately. "Solved what? The money I finally got my hands on is gone in the blink of an eye!!!"
"What the hell did you idiots do?"
"Burglary, and you didn't even notice her house had cameras?"
"How can you be so fcking stupid?"
"Fiona, I'm telling you, you have to pay me back my money!!"
Outrageous words poured into her ears one after another.
Fiona laughed again. In the blink of an eye, she was laughing through tears.
As she laughed.
The question Dexter asked earlier echoed in her mind again.
Was it worth it?
Was it worth it?
No, it wasn't.
Fiona thought to herself. She felt so tired, so exhausted. She just wanted this life to end.
---
On the other side.
Dexter didn't waste any time. He quickly handed fifteen thousand dollars to Teddy. Then, moving deliberately, he revealed the pistol tucked into his waistband, ensuring Teddy saw it.
"No third person can ever know about our deal," he emphasized again.
Teddy definitely saw the gun, and his heart skipped a beat.
Was he scared?
Not exactly.
But Dexter was a rich man, seemingly a very rich man.
Teddy had been in and out of prison for most of his life and saw American society clearly. He knew perfectly well that a black man like him wouldn't benefit from crossing a wealthy man like Dexter.
Teddy didn't want to go back to prison right now either.
Thanks to Roberta's death, he had money now. It was better to stay out and enjoy life.
"Don't worry!" Teddy didn't say anything stupid. He nodded and promised.
Dexter said nothing more, turned around, and left.