NovelEnglishIn the grand hall of the Inner Island, Ralap and Timothy had taken their seats.
Ralap had failed to persuade Timothy yesterday, which left him fuming, but necessity had driven him to try his luck once again
today.
The families of Inner Island were intertwined in business affairs, yet each harbored a healthy dose of suspicion towards the others.
With the island's limited resources, maintaining stability often meant that someone had to draw the short straw.
None of the four ruling families were saints; all were vying for a larger slice of the pie. The long-standing peace was nothing but a
veneer.
The Porter clan had a rocky relationship with both the Earwood and Brown families due to the past conflicts. Only with the
Bradshaw clan had they managed to maintain a semblance of harmony.
Timothy was the epitof a fence-sitter, always attempting to offend no one. Sometimes he would prefer to take a small loss
rather than burn bridges.
Ralap had thought Timothy would be an easy nut to crack, but the previous night's genteel rejection had proved him wrong.
To pay a second visit was a tough pill for the old man to swallow, but with his adversaries ready to pounce at any moment, he
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtdesperately needed to secure an ally.
"Mr. Bradshaw, if you stand with me, the Porters are willing to give up their pharmaceutical dealings for the next six months."
These drugs were crucial for keeping their underlings in line, and they were supplied exclusively by BLACK. The families took turns
doing business with BLACK, so as to keep the distribution fair.
Now, the Porters were offering half a year's trade rights, which was a significant concession.
In the past, Timothy would have jumped at the offer, but now he had Patrick.
Patrick was also capable of concocting those drugs, so the so-called trade rights were less valuable in his eyes.
"Ralap," Timothy began, with a tone tinged with feigned concern, "I must confess, Robin's been feeling under the weather lately.
You know how fond | am of my son. I'd like to spend this month with Robin quietly in the chapel, paying respects to the departed
elders of the Bradshaw family."
Ralap felt a surge of frustration. He'd bent over backwards, and yet Timothy remained obstinate!
Just as his anger reached a boiling point where he was about to storm out, BLACK walked in.
Ralap's demeanor brightened instantly, "Sir, you've arrived."
BLACK nodded, and took a seat to sip tea with an air of nonchalance.
Timothy's lashes fluttered, and he looked up with a smile. "After all these years, we still don't know what our benefactor looks like.
Now that Ralap is here as well, it would be fitting for you to reveal yourself, sir. Especially since lan has recently escaped from Inner
Island. I've heard he's quite the cunning fox. If he were to return in disguise, we'd all be none the wiser."
Surprise flickered in Ralap's eyes; he can’t believe Timothy was out of line with such an impudent request.
After all, the Mister had connections with the elders. If Timothy were to speak out of turn, it could spell disaster for the Bradshaw
family.
"Timothy, are you questioning the Mister?" Ralap seethed, ready to vent his pent-up rage.
Timothy chuckled, exuding an aura of confidence.
"It’s just that I've just heard of lan's past tricks, not that | wish to pry into the Mister’s privacy. But if you were lan in disguise."
Timothy fiddled with his revolver by methodically loading each bullet; the implied threat was clear as day.
If this man was lan, then lan wouldn't leave this place alive.
His gaze sharpened as he looked at the Mister, and his gaunt face betrayed a hint of shrewdness.
"I beg your understanding, sir. lan's a wildcard, and all | want is to preserve the peace of Inner Island."
Turning to Ralap, he added, "You know the kind of trouble that kid would bring to our shores. My suspicions are reasonable,
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmwouldn't you agree?"
Furrowing his brow, Ralap had intended to revel in Timothy's faux pas. But the repeated mentions of lan reminded him of lan's
distinguished demeanor and generous spending. Had he not been captured, lan might have already drawn followers to start a new
family.
His expression turned icy as his hand crept towards the gun at his waist.
BLACK sat comfortably on the couch, in a posture of grace.
Timothy and Ralap spoke almost in unison, "Sir, if you would please remove your hat."
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