Chapter 3 Prison Changed Him

As Ruth struggled in vain, one of the henchmen spoke up. "Boss, the bitch hasn't paid the installment for six months. She owes ten grand every month to compensate the Coopers. But every time, she sent us off with old furniture instead. I just checked the house and found only thirty-two dollars in her stash."

The leader spat with disdain. "You filthy scum of a woman! Where are you hiding our money?"

Ruth wailed in pain and tried to explain herself. "I'm sorry, mister. But my husband's wages are quite low. We don't have enough for three meals a day. Please forgive us..."

"Do you think this is a joke, wench? Is the Cooper family going to be fooled by your lies?"

Ruth joined her hands, crying profusely. "Please, I am telling you the truth... Wait! I'll sell some cutlery to neighbors and try to arrange five hundred dollars. I promise! Please give me fifteen minutes."

The leader's eyes were bloodshot in anger. "Five hundred? Have we come here to collect spare change, bitch? Maybe you aren't taking us seriously. I think breaking your arms will teach you a good lesson!"

He extended out her arm and raised his foot to stomp her.

"Take your filthy hands off her!" Tyler warned with a commanding voice. "If you want to live, you will step away from her!"

The leader turned towards the young man who had just walked onto the porch. "Who the hell are you?"

Ruth's face put on a look of dismay. "No, Tyler! They are dangerous people! Gangsters! Save yourself! Run and hide!"

The gang leader scanned him from head to toe. "So you are Tyler Grant? Are you out of prison already? Good thing we spotted you. Time to shell out one and a half million dollars you owe the Coopers!"

Tyler's eyes became cold and distant, as if he was barely listening to the thug. Inside him, a volcano was about to explode.

"I won't pay you a single penny. Neither will my family. Today is the day your brutality ends. Now unhand my mother before you lose your life."

The goons broke into hysterical laughter. "Do you know who I am?" the leader asked bashfully.

"I don't know who you are, and I don't care!"

The leader guffawed. "Boy! Since you were gone for three years, you are ignorant. I am Huxley, the leader of the Hux gang. Everyone in this locality is scared to death of my name. Your machismo will disappear when I break all your limbs!"

Tyler was unmoved by the gang leader's threats. "Are you good at terrorizing elderly and disabled people only? You don't scare me at the least!"

Huxley gritted his teeth and let Ruth go. He felt emasculated for a moment since he was caught dragging and beating a crippled, helpless woman. It would do well for his reputation if he were to beat up a young man instead.

Tyler straightened Ruth's wheelchair and helped her get on it. "Go inside the house, Mom. I'll deal with these punks."

Ruth eyed her son nervously. "Is it necessary to get into a fight? If I grovel before the gangster enough and take some beating, he may give us an extension. Besides, you already have a criminal record. It may get you in trouble with the law. I don't want to see my son in prison again!"

Tyler turned and gave her a reassuring nod. "You don't have to beg or even lower your head, Mom. From today onwards, no one will bother us. I promise."

Ruth looked uncertain, but her son's conviction made her feel secure suddenly. She followed his instructions and entered the house.

"If your sob drama is over, it's time for you to become a cripple like your mother!" Huxley spat with a smirk.

"Bring it on!"

Huxley signaled one of his men, and the latter lunged at Tyler with a swinging arm. The young man stepped out of the way dexterously and landed a powerful chop on the goon's back. The latter hit the ground like a bag of sand.

Huxley looked stunned. What just happened? Could the loser guy really fight? Perhaps it was a fluke? He figured he needed to step up the attack by a notch.

The gang leader gestured to all his five remaining men, and they gradually surrounded Tyler. "Let's see how you fare against all of us!"

The goons rushed at Tyler together, aiming punches and kicks at him. There was no way to escape or evade.

The young man's eyes shifted with lightning speed. He moved his limbs even faster.

Bam! Bam! His attacks hit them like a whirlwind. The five goons bit the dust before they could realize what happened.

Huxley's jaw was left hanging. How did a young man like Tyler learn to fight like that? It couldn't be a coincidence or fluke at all. The leader decided to try different tactics.

"It seems you learned a few tricks in prison. Good for you. But you're still a pathetic loser whose girlfriend is marrying another man. Shame!"