Chapter 99 "Sweetheart, Let’s Dance..."

Day Eight…

~~*****~~

The Masquerade Ball started! The music resounded and several pairs proceeded to the dance floor. The guests moved elegantly as if they were professional dancers. They started to enjoy the night.

Meanwhile, two factions grabbed this opportunity that everyone was preoccupied with the dance. The Red Dragon Mafia led by its Branch Leader, Agustav, was now having a discussion with Axel and others.

Just like what they had expected, the Dragon Lord didn't show up at this banquet. Meanwhile, Nathan was secretly listening to their conversation, ignoring Abigail's presence.

"Someone framed us up. We have nothing to do with the attack. We didn't sabotage your operation overseas," Agustav explained to Axel, whom he thought was the Supreme Leader of the Syphiruz.

He was very cautious when talking to the Supreme Leader. It was known to them that the Supreme Leader had a short temper and he was easy to get mad and annoyed.

Axel just remained silent, letting Violet and Chantha speak on his behalf.

"What is your proof that you were framed? We lost several comrades, including a hundred-million dollars worth of deals." Violet emphasized to Agustav, trying to intimidate him.

Agustav just chuckled and said, "We are not stupid to go to war against the Syphiruz. That's why I am here to clear up the misunderstandings."

"Let's say you are not stupid… But your new Dragon Lord is!" Chantha butted in without constraint in her words. She just insulted the new leader of the Red Dragon Mafia.

Axel, Violet, and Spider glanced at Chantha with disbelief. Nathan could only smirk when he heard her last statement. Chantha was really good at provoking someone. The Red Dragon Branch Leader was now looking daggers at Chantha.

"We heard the rumors about your new Dragon Lord. They said he was so arrogant and he would like to flaunt his power by declaring a war against the Syphiruz Mafia. I think the Red Dragon Mafia is having an internal conflict as the Branch Leader like you came to see us to clear up your organization's name without the knowledge of your Dragon Lord." Chantha said, her lips curling up into a sneer.

Chantha could connect the dots so fast and she was bold enough to speak up her mind. This was the reason why Nathan chose her to become a branch leader despite the fact she was so naughty and playful.

Through her provocation, Nathan would be able to analyze and figure out if Agustav was telling the truth or not. He could tell through his voice and through his reaction.

Agustav didn't care that much when Chantha called their Dragon Lord stupid but his face darkened when Chantha mentioned the internal conflict of the Red Dragon Mafia.

Nathan came up with two conclusions. First: Dragon Lord had no idea about this secret meeting that's why he didn't show up even though the Supreme Leader of Syphiruz came. This only meant that some higher-up requested their Branch Leader here to meet the Syphiruz to deny their involvement in sabotaging the Syphiruz Operation. Those higher-ups were against the idea of going all-out war with the Syphiruz Mafia.

Second: the internal conflict within the Red Dragon Mafia might be true. The Dragon Lord must have ordered his men to sabotage the Syphiruz Operation overseas to declare war. But there were higher-ups who opposed this idea. Now, this meeting would be their contingency plan to avoid the war.

'Hmm, this new Dragon Lord is an interesting fellow. Too bad he is not here. I would like to know him,' Nathan thought to himself.

"That's a preposterous speculation. The Red Dragon Mafia is united. If you don't want to believe us it's fine. But we are willing to pay you the exact amount you lost in that operation and another one million dollars per person who died. Again. I am reiterating. The Red Dragon Mafia had nothing to do with that ambush." Agustav insisted.

Chantha let out another humorless chuckle and said. "I think you are guilty. You are giving us this offer as your settlement fee so that the Syphiruz Mafia will not take revenge for the deaths of our fallen comrade? Are you scared of us? So how dare you kill our comrades, if you will just tuck your tails between your legs?!" Chantha couldn't hide her anger and resentment.

"Supreme Leader, what do you think? Should we accept this offer?" Spider asked Nathan through their communication device as Violet tried to calm her twin sister down.

"Just accept it. No need to refuse their offer. Accepting this offer doesn't mean we are forgetting what they did. We are just taking advantage of this." Nathan said.

"Got it, Supreme Leader…" Spider replied. He believed Axel, Violet and Chantha already heard Nathan's decision. They wouldn't dare disobey it. Chantha finally kept her mouth shut.

As Nathan's comrades continued to negotiate with the Red Dragon Mafia, Abigail, on the other hand, had already noticed that he was talking to someone using his earpiece.

'Hey, hey. Don't tell me the Syphiruz has a secret operation here.' Abigail scanned her surroundings, looking for someone suspicious. Following Nathan's line of sight, she saw a group of people who remained seated at their table while the other guests were already on the dance floor.

'Ahuh! His comrades are here. He called this a date, how dare he?! He just brought me here as a chaperon as he disguised himself as an ordinary guest!'

Abigail was boiling with rage. She was already bored just sitting there doing nothing while Nathan was busy listening to his comrades. She could no longer stand this. He ignored her as if she was invisible in his eyes.

What's the purpose of her makeover and dressing up if Nathan wouldn't take notice of her? She had to do something to get Nathan's attention!

Without a second thought, Abigail moved closer to Nathan. She leaned closer to his ear and whispered. She did this intentionally, thinking that his comrades could hear her voice through the earpiece.

"Sweetheart, let's dance…" she invited him with her seductive voice.

Nathan: "..."

Axel: "..."

Spider: "..."

Violet: "..."

Chantha: "..."