The American TV series "Four-Round Boxing Champion Starts with Shameless"

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"Oh, am I not human?"

Caroline wasn't as relaxed as she had been when she spoke to Max, especially since Victor's attention towards Max clearly went beyond that of ordinary friends.

"Thanks to your people,"

Max said, her tone somewhat complicated, "Thank you."

"No one can touch my people without paying a price. That's a fundamental principle."

Victor nodded, a smile spreading across his face: "Max, you're Skywind City's number two employee, so a portion of my profits comes from you..."

Caroline stepped forward: "Victor, we need to talk. About the past, about the present, about the future."

Victor raised an eyebrow: "Miss Qian Ning, you and I have nothing to do with each other anymore."

"Max was pregnant with your child..."

Caroline ruthlessly sold out Max's information, and Max's rage couldn't change Caroline's mind: "I know you're heartless, but Max shouldn't be treated like this."

This is what a friend is.

Max was furious at Caroline's presumptuous decision; in his opinion, the matter shouldn't have been brought up.

Victor looked at Max, gesturing for Franky to leave the room.

After the door closed, the atmosphere between the three of them immediately became subtle and tense.

“I know about you and Max,”

Caroline stated bluntly, "Max told me before me, including about pregnancy and miscarriage."

Victor looked at Max: "I found out. I've always thought I did something very disappointing that made you choose such an extreme measure."

Max sighed: "Impulsiveness has led to this result. Are you going to give me sixty-eight bullet holes even if you use a Chicago typewriter?"

Viktor explained, "They chose this path not because of me; at first, I just wanted to paint."

"There are always choices,"

Caroline said softly, "And you always choose the most violent one."

The three were silent for a moment.

Finally, Victor said, "This is how my world works. I protect those I care about, using the only methods I know."

"Perhaps it's time to change our approach,"

Max suddenly said, "If you really care about someone."

Viktor looked at the two women, and for the first time seemed less certain.

He was used to Chicago's simple rule—an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

But Max and Caroline came from another world, and their perspectives forced him to rethink his own behavior.

"I will consider your words,"

Finally, he said, "But now, ensuring your safety is my top priority."

A week later, life gradually returned to normal.

Max and Caroline returned to their Williamsburg apartment to continue their fledgling cake business.

Even though Victor longed to rekindle his relationship with Max, he didn't disturb her.

But the impact of the kidnapping is far from over.

One afternoon, as they were decorating a wedding cake, Caroline suddenly said, “I know this might sound crazy, but that kidnapping… made me realize something in some way.”

Max, without looking up, focused on decorating the roses with a piping bag: "Realizing what? We should buy more pepper spray?"

Caroline smiled. "I realize we're stronger than we thought. And maybe we should think about how to get our first investment."

Max stopped what he was doing, looked up at her, and asked, "You want to bring Skywind City here?"

Caroline said, "They might want us to join them."

Max's eyes widened: "Are you serious? You're going to completely change our lives just because of a kidnapping?"

"Not entirely,"

Caroline hesitated for a moment, "And there's Victor. He won't let go again, Max. I can see his true feelings for you. And as long as you're here, he'll always be a part of our lives."

Max remained silent for a moment.

She knew Caroline was right.

Since the rescue incident, Victor has clearly shown an intention to re-enter their lives—especially Max's.

If you can't avoid it, then accept it!

Finally, Max said, "Can we expand rapidly with his help?"

Caroline smiled: "That's the spirit!"

Meanwhile, in Chicago, Victor Lee stood by his office window, pondering Max and Caroline's words.

He summoned Frankie.

“We need to change some of the ways we operate,”

Victor said, "Less violence, more...business-oriented."

Frankie looked at him in surprise: "Because of Max and Caroline?"

“They showed me another possibility. Skywind City can become a real enterprise, not just another gang.”

Victor nodded: "The Chicago government and the FBI will not allow us to continue expanding; we cannot take that risk."

Franky said thoughtfully, "This will take time. And not everyone will accept this change."

"Then replace the person who doesn't accept it,"

Viktor said, then smiled slightly, “See, I’m already changing. At least I didn’t say ‘kill those who don’t accept it.’”

They both laughed.

A week later, Max and Caroline's cake shop held a reopening party.

To their surprise, Victor recognized their idea and contributed a 60% stake to bring the shop to fruition.

"That's worth at least 10,000 calories,"

Max commented, "But I admit, the craftsmanship is good."

Halfway through the party, Victor pulled Max aside: "I've considered what you've said. Skywind is transforming. More legitimate business, less violence."

Max raised an eyebrow: "Really? So you're no longer a cold-blooded mob boss?"

"I'm still cold-blooded, but now I'm more inclined towards corporate mergers and acquisitions than gunfights,"

Victor smiled and said, "You are already a general manager of a branch of our Skywind City Group—although you only have one store now, I don't want you to fail, because you have other tasks to complete."

Max's eyes widened: "Are you implying something?"

"It's just a business opportunity,"

Viktor raised his hands in a toasting gesture, "I hope you can help me even more; I need your help to reach a higher position!"

Max glanced at Caroline, who was chatting and laughing with guests in the distance, then turned to Victor: "Caroline is also..."

"She's not on the agenda."

Victor smiled: "I originally came here just to see you."

After the party, Max and Caroline sat in the empty store, sharing a piece of leftover cake.

"So Victor wants us to go to Chicago?"

"Caroline asked, licking the cream off her fork."

Max shrugged. "He claims it's just a business opportunity. Do you believe him?"

"not at all,"

Caroline laughed, “But who knows? Maybe Chicago is exactly the new starting point we need.”

Max pondered for a moment, then said, "Caroline, it may be presumptuous of me, but I need to tell you that Victor is a very good person, and if he is willing, I will agree to his request without hesitation."

Caroline didn't care at all:

"Then you'd better be careful, he has quite a few mistresses outside."

Chapter 193 Little Klitschko: An Unexpected Twist

In April, the air in Copenhagen is crisp and cold, but it cannot extinguish the ancient city's thirst for violence.

At newsstands on every street corner, posters of Viktor Lee's ferocious boxing style stand side by side with images of Vladimir Klitschko's cool and elegant demeanor, creating a stark contrast.

Discussions surrounding this WBA heavyweight championship bout have long transcended the realm of sports, becoming a grand spectacle involving huge sums of money, regional honor, and stylistic clashes.

Victor Lee, the Chinese-American boxing champion from Chicago, is known for his devastating punches and his rebellious personality.

He carried not only the WBA gold belt, a symbol of supreme honor, but also a 20% share of the box office revenue, and a shocking knockout bet that had already accumulated to $20 million.

If he is knocked out by his opponent within four rounds, this huge sum of money will be lost.

Is this extreme self-confidence, or a crazy gambler's mentality?

His opponent, Vladimir Klitschko, comes from a Ukrainian boxing family, has an Olympic gold medal background, and is a paragon of European boxing technique.

With his height and long reach, and meticulous playing style, he's like a precise machine.

His brother, Vitaly Klitschko (Klitschko the Elder), is also a top boxer and accompanied his brother to the event, participating in the entire preparation process—he was knocked out by Viktor six months ago.

The weighing ceremony was held as scheduled on April 14.

Inside the hotel banquet hall, spotlights flashed incessantly as reporters with their long lenses and microphones vied to capture every glance between the two giants.

Victor Lee was the first to take the stage.

He was only wearing shorts, and his bulging muscles looked like cast iron. His exaggerated weight was as high as 400 pounds, but he was not bulky. Instead, he was full of explosive power.

His height of 185cm is not outstanding in the heavyweight class, but his amazing 204cm reach foreshadows a terrifying attack range.

With a cynical grin on his face, he deliberately showed off his strong biceps, eliciting a mix of screams and boos from some of the fans in the audience.