An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Everyone was stunned as they watched Brandon suddenly collapse to the ground. Their eyes widened in disbelief, and their mouths hung agape.

Nobody had anticipated Brandon, a renowned talent of the Celestial Alliance's top ten, to be defeated by an unknown opponent.

With his reputation, he should have been dominating Group C. They couldn't understand how he could be defeated so quickly.

The spectators began questioning Brandon's ability and wondered if Carter was stronger than him.

"It's over! We're screwed!"

"Dammit! What's Brandon doing? How can he lose to a nobody? What a useless bastard!"

"The top ten talents of the Celestial Alliance? Bullshit!"

"Fuck you, Brandon! You've really messed me up this time!"

"Shit! I've lost all my celestial stones!"

After a moment of silence, the venue erupted into a chorus of sorrowful cries and frustrated curses.

Brandon's defeat dealt a heavy blow to the gamblers who had placed their bets earlier. They faced devastating losses, not just forfeiting their winnings but also their initial bets.

Some had gone as far as taking loans. They were expecting a windfall, only to end up losing everything.

"How could this happen?" Ruby's eyes widened in disbelief.

She struggled to come to terms with the outcome. Plus, she had wagered her entire fortune on the bet. Such a turn of events was beyond her imagination.

"No... it can't be! It was supposed to be a sure win! How could Brandon lose?" Miles was devastated. His face paled, and his fingers trembled.

rounds, he had held back and refrained from betting everything due to his lack of confidence

time, his certainty in Brandon's victory led him to wager all his celestial stones,

he struggled

say earlier that we'd win? What do we

all, high hopes often led to big letdowns. Brandon's loss had

was rendered speechless by the question. He wondered

had already lost, so they could

Who would dare to provoke them? What if they

match's result, "This round winner

arena echoed with

curses and insults that even involved his family. Even the Celestial Alliance's reputation

Brandon, ranked among the top ten in the Celestial Alliance, to be defeated by

so close to winning." Abigail shook her head, feigning regret while inwardly feeling

recovered her initial investment and emptied the gamblers' pockets. She had quite a lucrative

things turn out like this?" one person

and now it's all gone. What

you hadn't given us such a terrible choice, we wouldn't

You must compensate us for

agitated and directed their anger toward the

you blaming me? Did I force you to go

continued, "You were smiling when you were winning. But now that you've lost, you're

win. You were greedy enough to follow my lead. And don't think you're the only one who lost. I've also lost everything!"

right. After all, he hadn't forced them to follow him. If they lost, they couldn't point fingers anywhere but at

backstabbers! I'm done playing with you all!" After

gamblers exchanged confused looks and

man in gray left,

the plan, huh? Pretty slick," Dustin