Wade sat blankly on the sofa, staring vacantly ahead.
The living room was pitch-black, with the television being the only source of light in the room.
But clearly, Wade's mind wasn't on the TV.
He glanced at the clock. The hour hand was already between twelve and one.
It was late at night, yet Wade had no desire to sleep. He took out his phone again and checked today's news.
"The Heat offer Wade an insulting two-year, $18 million deal; negotiations have reached a deadlock!"
"In an era when Ryan Anderson can make $20 million a year and Nicholas Batum can get a nine-figure contract, Pat Riley only offered Wade $18 million?"
"What a disgrace! Look at how Cuban treated Dirk, you bastard!"
"Dwyane Wade has yet to make any response. Most people believe he will choose to leave Miami. At present, Wade's hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, is actively pursuing negotiations."
Wade smiled. He hadn't expected that, at the age of thirty-four, he could still cause such a stir in the free-agent market.
Of course, it was a self-mocking smile. Deep down, Wade wasn't happy in the slightest.
Being abandoned by the Miami Heat was something Wade had never imagined.
With the salary cap skyrocketing, with everyone able to get big contracts, with any starter able to earn $20 million—
Wade truly couldn't believe that Pat Riley would make such a decision!
In truth, Wade didn't crave a huge payday. If necessary, he would even be willing to take a voluntary pay cut for the Heat.
As the face of the city, taking a pay cut to stay with the team was only natural. But he still deserved basic respect.
That was the key. The Heat's offer lacked respect, and respect was what Wade wanted.
In fact, Riley had