Chapter 18
The mingling smell of blood and alcohol was thick in
the air inside VIP room number 888 at The Paradise.
The unpleasant odor was stifling.
“Hold it!”
Just as Samuel’s lackeys armed themselves with
anything they could find in the room–wine bottles,
stools, even a fruit knife–to fight Emmanuel, Samuel
called out, halting his men.
His subordinates turned to stare at him, confused by
his command.
Samuel ignored them and instead stared intently at
Emmanuel.
He could tell from Emmanuel’s gaze that the young
man was ready to fight anyone who was in his
death.
way to
The head of the underground circles was not born in
one day. Samuel had fought his way to the top and
once possessed the same gaze as Emmanuel.
He knew it signaled a man who would not even flinch
at the prospect of death. Anyone foolish enough to
confront such a man would suffer a painful end.
Samuel could not help but ask, “Brat, who exactly sent
you here?”
He only occupied the project grounds by force
because he knew the extent of the company’s power.
In the past, Terence Group and Cloud Construction
had sent men to oust them to no avail. The companies
A Worthy Opponent
dared not turn the issue into a big deal for fear of
Samuel’s retaliation.
He never imagined someone from Terence Group
would dare confront him today, and one who had
actual fighting skills to boot.
Instead of replying to Samuel’s question, Emmanuel
said, “That’s none of your business. I’ve said my piece. If Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
you refuse to call off your men from the project
grounds, I will fight you to the bitter end!”
He sounded so calm it was positively chilling.
Everyone in the room stared at him, agape with shock.
They had never known anyone to taunt Samuel sq
brazenly without any backup.
Elena gazed at Emmanuel with bright eyes.
A Worthy Opponent
He’s the most gallant man I’ve ever seen!
Suddenly, Samuel burst into a guffaw.
An
His laughter lasted a good while before his gaze
cooled. He replied sneeringly, “What a surprise! To think
someone in Yeringham would dare to use such a tone
against me! But young fella, you’re overestimating
your skills. You should know that once I give the word,
your corpse will be floating along Yeringham River
tomorrow.”
The threat struck fear within Sheldon, whose legs
almost crumpled from fear. He sucked in several
breaths to calm himself down.
Samuel hardly joked around, and he would surely.
make good on his promise.
“I don’t know about that,” Emmanuel continued firmly, “but I do know I have a goal to complete today. Even if I
end up dead, I’ll drag all of you down to h*ll with me!”
He meant every word he had said. This was no empty
boast on Emmanuel’s part.
He was out of options, in any case. He needed to bring
Mackenzie home to meet his mother.
If he failed today, his proud wife would turn her nose
up at him, and it would be near impossible to convince
her to visit his family home in the future.
Samuel and Emmanuel found themselves engaged in
a tense staring contest. The older man had spent most
of his life fighting and knew he could not afford to piss
off Emmanuel.
Were he any younger, he would have considered a
duel with Emmanuel.
Things were different now. Samuel was older and had
too much to lose. Gone was the hot–blooded fervor
and all–or–nothing attitude that so defined his past.
To put it plainly, if he ended up behind bars for
breaking the law, his age and physicality no longer
aided him in earning the reverence and admiration of
his fellow inmates.
Spying his hesitation, Emmanuel advised earnestly,
“Mr. Webber, it’s time to stay on the right side of the
law! Please call your men back!”
It was at that point that Sheldon realized he was no
longer quaking in fear.
Emmanuel appeared to have intimidated Samuel into
submission, and it was not by any threats of legal
action.
Instead, he simply replied on his fearsome
determination and indomitable aura. Sheldon was in
awe.
No wonder they say you can’t judge a book by its
cover. Who knew someone who looks as genteel as
Emmanuel would turn out to be such a fierce
character?
Samuel’s furious shout pierced the silence of the room.
“You think you can just order me to ask my men to leave? What about my reputation? What will everyone think of me then?”