"Just say it already, what do we need to do to get your help?" Everyone was on the brink of losing it, eyes burning with frustration as they stared at Flora, begging her to be clear and straightforward.
Flora lounged back in her chair, lazily lifting her gaze to meet theirs. She didn't utter a word, just absently tapped a knife on the table.
Her silence only ramped up their anxiety.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Are you really going to just watch us die?" A young man, holding his brother tightly, glared at Flora, his eyes bloodshot with anger. Sure, they'd messed up before, but his brother was dying now! She had the power to save them, but she was choosing not to! "Let's get real here. Who almost got you killed? It wasn't Ms. Flora. Whoever wronged you, go chase them down," Lance chimed in, hands on his hips. "So what if Ms. Flora is powerful? Who says she owes you a rescue?" His frustration grew as he spoke, "When Crimson's Vice President was on the verge of death, what did you do? Nothing. And now, you have the nerve to guilt-trip Ms. Flora?" Realizing their own mistakes, the representatives from the various factions fell silent. They had indeed wronged Crimson badly.
Unable to argue back, they turned their furious eyes toward Mr. Atticus.
Now, they were blaming Mr. Atticus in their hearts! "I don't care! If anything happens to my brother, I'll make sure you pay, even if it costsmy life!" Seeing his brother in pain, the young man broke into tears.
"I might consider saving him, but..." Just then, Flora finally spoke.
All eyes turned to her, hope flickering in their desperation.
"But I have conditions," Flora said, leaning back, lazily lifting her eyelids. "First, everyone must sign an agreement. What happens on this island stays on this island. Not a word about it outside." Naturally, they agreed. They were desperate to get rid of the poison, and this embarrassing ordeal was something they wouldn't want to share anyway.
Flora had the agreements handed out, and once everyone had signed, she continued, "Second, the keys to Club 257 stay with Susan." This was aimed squarely at Mr. Atticus, who tensed up under her gaze.
The moment Flora took Susan away, he knew he couldn't protect her. He'd already decided to let her go.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmSacrificing Susan was something he could live with.
But he knew Flora's demands wouldn't stop there.
Sure enough, after a pause, Flora added, "Third, the medical organization must publicly apologize to Club 257 and to Crimson on the global network." "That's impossible!" Mr. Atticus snapped almost before Flora had finished speaking. An apology from the medical organization to Club 257? Ridiculous!
"I've said my piece. The choice is yours," Flora said, a cold smile playing on her lips as she met his fiery gaze. You don't have much time. Without treatment, they'll die." Her mention of death sent a jolt through the representatives. Nobody wanted to die, so they quickly turned their pressure on Mr. Atticus, just as they had with Crimson earlier.
"Mr. Atticus, it's just an apology. No big deal. We're talking about lives here!"
"Mr. Atticus, let's face it, this is all your fault. If you apologize on behalf of the medical organization, you could save us, and we'd be grateful." The representatives piled on, shamelessly pressuring Mr. Atticus, who was almost shaking with anger.
Just an apology? Why shouldn't they apologize, then?
If he apologized on the global network to Club 257, the medica organization would beca laughingstock. Once he returned, his life there would be miserable. Ads by Pubfuture