Seeing Roslin Carlett rushing over, the security guards were taken aback. They never imagined that he would try to sabotage someone else's entry at this moment.
Their reaction was understandably delayed, but Bell, standing beside Jiang Hai, immediately sprang into action.
Roslin Carlett was just an ordinary person. Even without Jiang Hai's help, Bell alone could easily subdue him.
However, Jiang Hai waved his hand to stop Bell, eyeing Carlett with amusement. He quickly deduced Carlett's plan—he wanted to expose Jiang Hai's cows, hoping to prove that they were somehow unnaturally raised or treated, in violation of scientific standards.
Jiang Hai, however, didn't mind. He was confident in the quality of his cows. Though these fifteen cattle were specially treated and slightly better than the 20,000 others, the latter were still impressive. Jiang Hai didn't fear scrutiny; he knew his cattle would stand up to any test.
Carlett reached the second cow on display, pushing aside the staff and yanking off the cloth covering it.
The reaction was instant. Not just Carlett, but the entire audience stood frozen, speechless. The cow's body was identical to the first one, marbled with beef that looked almost identical in quality. It defied all expectations.
"This is impossible, this is impossible!" Carlett exclaimed, stepping back in shock. His face contorted in disbelief. Losing to Suzuki was one thing—he could accept that. But losing so badly to Jiang Hai, in his own territory, was another matter entirely. The security guards stepped in and started escorting him away.
"He must have used some trick! This beef can't possibly be like this otherwise!" Carlett shouted over his shoulder as they dragged him away. "Let go of me! He must have fed them something illegal!"
Jiang Hai simply chuckled, unconcerned. He waved at Bell, signaling him to stay back.
Bell stood by, as Jiang Hai calmly walked over to the display of premium beef, slicing off a piece with a tactical dagger—a weapon only allowed for someone of his status, like a retired Delta Force soldier.
Without hesitation, Jiang Hai popped the raw beef into his mouth. Although he wasn't keen on raw meat, this gesture exuded confidence and assured everyone watching that there was nothing wrong with his cattle.
"My cattle are fed only grass in the spring, summer, and autumn, and hay in the winter. I don't even use corn or soybeans in their diet. They are in the best possible condition," Jiang Hai explained nonchalantly. "If you have doubts, you can send the meat to the most reputable testing agencies. If anything illegal is found, I'll face the consequences."
Carlett, now being pulled away by security, screamed in frustration. "You're lying! You're a fraud!"
Jiang Hai simply ignored him. His actions had already spoken volumes—he wasn't afraid to eat the beef, signaling his complete trust in its quality. Furthermore, the fact that these cows were allowed on stage meant they had passed stringent health tests. No one doubted that.
Carlett's outburst was quickly forgotten as the judges handed down their scores.
The six judges, unanimous in their evaluation, awarded a perfect score of 10. The audience erupted into applause. It was well-deserved, given the outstanding quality of the beef.
"Congratulations, young man," said the host, clearly impressed. "In all the years the New York Beef Show has been held, this is the first time anyone has received a perfect score of 10. It will likely be a hard record to break."
"Thank you," Jiang Hai replied with a smile, shaking the host's hand. Though he expected this outcome, it was still a satisfying achievement.
"Your cattle don't just look amazing; their beef is top-notch. You've earned the title of King of Cattle," the host added, patting Jiang Hai on the back.
Jiang Hai smiled again, appreciating the compliment.
Afterward, the second cow was brought forward, nearly identical to the first. It earned a score of 9.9, securing second place.
As the awards ceremony concluded, the winners received their prizes: $500,000 for first place, $100,000 for second, $50,000 for third, and smaller consolation prizes for the others. Jiang Hai was awarded a $600,000 bonus along with two medals—plated, not solid gold or silver. The medals may not have been precious metals, but the honor they represented was undeniable.
With the title of King of Cattle now his, Jiang Hai's manor quickly gained widespread attention. After the event, as he made his way backstage with his prize-winning cattle, representatives from major animal husbandry companies rushed to him.
"Mr. Jiang Hai, I'm with Truman Company. If you want to sell your cattle, we can help you find the best market," one said.
"Mr. Jiang Hai, we're from Bavetta Company. Let us open up sales channels for you across the United States, offering you the best prices," another added.
As Carlett's supporters had once treated him dismissively, these companies now flocked to him, eager to work with the newly crowned cattle king. But Jiang Hai wasn't impressed.
This was the jungle law of the business world—before he proved himself, they sided with Carlett, but now that he had shown his strength, they came to flatter him. Jiang Hai, however, had grown up under different values, ones that didn't prioritize money above all else.
So he said nothing, simply pushing through the crowd and getting into his car. With the beef in tow, he started the engine and left. He didn't need their help; he had already secured a much larger market.
The beef would sell itself. As expected, Jiang Hai's cattle were an instant sensation.
(To be continued...)