Henry surmised that the aggressive fighters must have earned Tristan's trust. Compared to the local thugs, they were like well-trained mercenaries.
So he believed the fighters would succeed. After all, Erick must have exaggerated Henry's abilities to Tristan, who wouldn't have sent other thugs to support them otherwise.
Tristan also had a formidable fighter named Gavin.
But the fighters not only failed but were likely to flee in defeat, which would be a huge shock to Tristan.
His top priority now would be to prevent Henry from coming after him.
To avoid disappearing like Samuel, Henry didn't pursue the victory and didn't even call Erick. He wanted to see what Samuel and Erick would do next.
Moreover, Henry only had Jonathan and Daniel to rely on. He didn't want to be careless and get caught.
He deliberately kept them separate from himself and even away from the bar. He wanted to spread out his limited manpower and resources as much as possible.
He still had other things to take care of, but if he encountered Tristan, he wouldn't hesitate to strike.
As expected, Tristan was stunned when he received a call from the fighters' leader.
The leader didn't call until they had boarded a train leaving Harbor Springs.
They had suffered losses, and the leader was injured. If Tristan decided to take back the fifty thousand Henry had left them, what would they do?
After all, they had been paid to kill Henry, but Henry was fine. Tristan could take back even a hundred thousand without a word.
So the leader didn't call Tristan until they were on the train.
For Tristan and Erick, sending the fighters had been a complete failure.
Tristan asked if they had mentioned his name.
The leader lied, saying they hadn't, but Henry's men knew they were fighters from Tristan's gym.
Henry had also deduced that Erick was behind it.
Erick felt weak in the knees, blaming Tristan for being careless and not listening to his warnings.
Tristan immediately called Gavin, who was in the south buying firearms, and told him to hurry back.
Erick was nearly in tears, begging, "Tristan, even if Gavin returns, it won't help. The only way is to ask Wyatt for help. Henry may be a country bumpkin, but he's tough. Unless the underworld unites, no one can handle him!"
Tristan glanced at Erick, "Do you think Wyatt will help just because I ask?"
Erick was desperate, "Samuel took a hundred and fifty thousand from me, and the fighters took a hundred thousand. Not only did they fail, but they also betrayed me. I have no money left!"
Tristan slapped him, "You gave Samuel a hundred and fifty thousand but only gave me a hundred thousand? Are you playing with me?"
Erick knew he had misspoken and quickly said, "Tristan, I really don't have any cash left."
"That's your problem!"
Erick gritted his teeth, "Tristan, I'll sell my house and get you fifty thousand. Just please ask Wyatt for help!"
Tristan sneered, "You played me, but I won't play my friends. Asking Wyatt is fine, but you need to prepare another hundred and fifty thousand for him."
"Tristan," Erick pleaded, "I gave you a hundred and fifty thousand to settle this. Whether you ask Wyatt is your business!"
Tristan nodded, "That's how it was, but you played me, so now you need two hundred thousand!"
"But I really don't have that much money!"
"That's your problem!"
With that, Tristan walked away.
When Henry let Erick leave the Violet Bar, he didn't take everything from the safe, leaving him with at least five or six hundred thousand.
With that money, Erick's starting point was higher than most.
He also had connections, and if he did legitimate business, Ruby and Kevin would help him.
But Erick loved the fast money and the glamorous lifestyle of the bar scene.
More importantly, he couldn't stand the thought of leaving the lively environment to do honest but dull business. Losing the bar to Henry was a humiliation he couldn't swallow.
But now, without even touching Henry, he had to come up with four hundred and fifty thousand, not knowing what the outcome would be.
He thought of giving up, but Tristan had already demanded the money. Unless he disappeared like Samuel, Tristan wouldn't let him go.
He had shared the profits with everyone, but now he was bleeding alone to get the bar back.
Even if he succeeded, those thugs would want a share. Where was the justice in that?
He first thought of Jason.
Jason had been humiliated by Henry and knew from Erick that Henry had his compromising videos. He was anxious and uneasy.
Then Erick called, demanding a hundred thousand.
If he had asked to borrow it, it might have been better. But Erick, upset from being humiliated by Tristan, told Jason he needed the money to deal with Henry, having already spent five hundred thousand and needing more.
He demanded Jason transfer the money immediately or face the consequences.
Jason frowned, thinking: How dare you talk to me like that? Haven't I helped you enough?
He coldly asked, "What consequences?"
Erick said, "If your school finds out you have shares in the bar and I have your compromising videos, what do you think will happen? Henry stole some videos, but I have backups!"
With that, Erick hung up.
Jason was furious and called Ruby and Kevin.
Erick then called Ryan, demanding a hundred thousand and threatening to expose Ryan's shares in the bar if he didn't handle Henry.
Ryan knew he was in trouble but had a father who could help in Harbor Springs.