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    In the car, Callum turned to Sage. "If Yvette seeds, we must let her leave Yhau alive."


    Sage''s muscr frame was highlighted by a form-fitting ck sit. "Don''t worry. Mr. Iverson won''t be attending the higher-ups meeting today."


    He continued. “As long as we handle this properly and leave no evidence behind, he won''t be able to do anything. Besides, there won''t be anyone left for him tomand."


    This was precisely Calluny''s n-who wouldn''t want to ascend thedder after being stuck in the same ce for so long? Only at the top could one truly be free from restraints.


    At the hotel entrance, Sage approached Yvette as soon as she emerged, several men in ck following closely behind him. He grinned. "Ms. Zeller, this way, please. Mr. Barnes is waiting for you in the car.”


    Yvette, dressed in all ck and radiating an intimidating presence, cast a sharp nce at Callum. He sat in the backseat of the first car, deliberately turning his head away. She raised an eyebrow, thinking, "Putting on an act in front of me, huh?


    Yvette strode toward the second car, opened the door, and smoothly slid into the backseat, leaving Sage standing there awkwardly, She has no manners at all! he thought.


    Sage issued a few quick orders to the men in ck before climbing into the backseat


    From the first car, Callum watched her ignore him, heading straight for the second car. His face darkened as he fumed. growling at Sage, "She keeps pushing her luck. Once this is over, I''ll make her pay!"


    re our guys know to show her no mercy when the timees."


    Sage reassured. "Mr. Barnes, don''t worry. I''ll make sure


    The car headed north for nearly an hour and a half, the vibrant city skyline gradually fading into quiet, tree-lined streets. It finally stopped before a building that showcased distinct Ybaun-style architecture. Sage and Callum stepped out of the car, followed closely by Yvette.


    Around forty to fifty men in sleek ck suits lined the entrance, their eyes sharp and unyielding, radiating an air of intimidation.


    Sage leaned in, saying to Yvette, "This is where the Steel Serpents are holding their higher-ups'' meeting. Over 300 members from various factions are here, with Jasper''s group at the forefront. Your target is Jasper, and Mr. Barnes wants everyone eliminated-no exceptions."


    Yvette adjusted her cap, a sly grin tugging at the corners of her lips. Her green eyes narrowed, a cold glint flickering within them. "As you wish." Sage felt relieved to hear her reassurance.


    Callum, Sage, and Yvette, nked by around twenty of their men passed through the gates and were escorted by an attendant into the inner hall. Before they even got close, the unmistakable sound of a heated argument could be heard.


    Callum and Sage were used to themotion. They were all too familiar with these higher-ups meetings" that were nothing more than power ys- a relentless cycle of disputes that would happen every year.


    Sage opened his mouth to exin but hesitated when he caught sight of Yvette''s bored, uninterested expression. He swallowed the words.


    Yvette, hands casually tucked in her pockets, strolled ahead as though she were on a leisurely sightseeing tour. She looked even more rxed than Callum and Sage.


    As soon as Callum and Sage entered the hall, those who were arguing stopped right away, turning around to greet them.


    10:08 Thu Jan 2


    "Mr. Barnes is here! Greetings. Mr. Barnest


    79%


    Only a man in his early forties, with a stern expression and neatlybed hair, sat motionless in a chair. He held a cup of coffee while seven or eight men in ck stood behind him.


    The crowd tactfully parted as Callum entered. As the leaders of the two most powerful factions, both Callum and Jaspermanded respect.


    The other six faction leaders were present, their eyes shifting between Callum and Jasper. It was clear to everyone that the uing negotiations for next year''s market share would be fierce.


    They thought, ''It''s clear, Mr. Iverson has been favoring Mr. Atkinstely, sidelining Mr. Barnes'' interests. But how long will Mr. Barnes let Mr. Atkins push him around?


    Callum settled into his seat across from Jasper. Sage stood by his side, while Yvette, with her cap pulled low, positioned herself casually beside Callum, her expression indifferent.


    Neither Callum nor Jasper spoke. The other faction leaders, sensing the tension, quietly took their seats, waiting for the meeting to begin. After a moment, Jasper finally broke the silence. His sharp gaze flicked from Callum to Yvette, and his expression turned cold. He assumed that Yvette was Callum''s lover.


    Irritated. Jasper snapped, "Mr. Barnes, this is a Steel Serpents higher-ups meeting. And you brought a Clusian woman? Don''t you think that''s a breach of protocol? If Mr. Iverson hears about this, you''ll be in deep trouble."


    To Callum, Jasper was attempting to use Waylon''s name to intimidate him.


    Glowering at Jasper, he responded with a sneer, "Ms. Zeller isn''t the type of woman you''re insinuating. She''s my lifesaver, and her presence makes me feel safe. After all, who knows when the next assassination attempt wille?"


    Jasper''s hand stilled, the coffee cup momentarily frozen in mid-air as his expression darkened. The female assassin heden after Callum returned with the harsh message that had shattered any pretense of civility between them.


    The mask of diplomacy was all but gone. Jasper''s hostility was tant, and Callum''s cold response made it clear he was just as ready to drop the act, shattering the fragile peace that was barely held together.


    The leaders of other factions lowered their heads, remaining silent.


    Jasper wasn''t fazed by Yvette''s presence. With a mocking smirk, he said, "Mr. Barnes, a mere assassination is nothing to us, members of the Steel Serpents. Letting a Clusian woman be your bodyguard is a disgrace to our organization.”


    Jasper''s taunts intensified Callum''s anger.


    The tension in the room was thick. Callum and Jasper red at each other, and their bodyguat the back were poised and ready for a fight. Yvette stood behind Callum with her hands in her pockets, watching their confrontation with a wicked smile ying on her lips, her eyes gleaming. Meanwhile, Sage, dressed sharply, interjected, "Mr. Atkins, we''re here to discuss next year''s shares, not argue. Mr. Iverson won''t be pleased if he finds out about this. Who Mr. Barnes has as a bodyguard doesn''t concern you. Let''s get started with the meeting since everyone''s here"


    Sage, holding a high rank within the Steel Serpents, was one of the few with the authority to speak directly to Waylon. When he intervened, Jasper hesitated and reluctantly let the matter drop, showing Sage respect.


    Finally, the tension in the room eased.


    Sage continued, "Mr. Atkins, fellow leaders, if anyone has ideas about next year''s market share and territories, now''s the time


    to discuss them."


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