Chapter 2235 Complicit

Chapter 2235 Complicit

Later that day, the atmosphere at the Croft estate was tense. Barry Croft, his son Vinser Croft, Victoria Qin, and a few of their trusted elders gathered in the opulent meeting room, the air thick with unspoken tensions and the weight of the day's events.

Barry Croft paced the room, his face a mask of barely concealed irritation. He turned to Victoria, his voice edged with frustration. "You did amazing today, too amazing."

Victoria instantly grasped the underlying message. Barry was annoyed that she had stolen too much of the spotlight at the Capitol building, overshadowing his own efforts. Her expression remained calm and respectful as she responded, "My apologies, Senior. It was not my intention to overstep. I recognize my mistake."

Despite the authority granted to her by the Qin family, Victoria was still considered a junior in the complex hierarchy of Golden City's elite. She bowed slightly, a gesture of deference to the Croft Patriarch, hoping to ease the tension.

However, the Qin elder accompanying her was less accommodating. His eyes narrowed as he spoke up, his voice sharp with impatience. "This is not important right now. Do we have any news from the troops we sent?"

Barry Croft ceased pacing and faced the elder, his annoyance shifting to a grim resolve. "Unfortunately, no. We have been unable to receive any updates... but seeing that fat Hassa's face today, I can tell that our efforts have not been in vain. They are done for."

Moments later, the tension in the room escalated as another significant figure arrived. Dean Hauten, Patriarch of the Hauten family, entered the estate, bringing with him a somber yet pivotal update. His presence commanded attention, and the room fell silent as he began to speak.

"The pirates have won," Dean announced, his voice carrying the weight of the news.

"Lord Barry," the emissary began, his voice strained. "I mean no disrespect, but what of my Lady Ishtar? Are you not going to do anything about it?"

The emissary had been in a state of restless agitation for the past few days. Lady Ishtar had been captured under his watch. The fear of the consequences loomed over him like a dark cloud; losing Lady Ishtar meant that his own life would be at grave risk when the Nephilim forces arrived. Desperate, he was hoping to leverage the Croft family's influence to settle the situation in his favor.

Barry Croft's eyes narrowed as he considered the emissary's plight. The Nephilim were powerful allies, and their favor was not something to be taken lightly. Yet, the current chaos and political maneuvering left little room for additional complications.

The Croft patriarch planned to avoid entangling himself in Nephilim's internal affairs. However, the emissary's escalating threat forced his hand.

"If you are not doing anything at all, I will make sure my master hears about your involvement in this!!" the emissary exclaimed, his desperation turning to defiance.

Vinser stepped in, his voice calm but insistent. "Father, is it wise to do nothing? That Terra brat is too much. Besides, our intel has confirmed that most of their forces are gone, and we know where Lady Ishtar is being kept."

The patriarch gives the matter a thought, realizing that having the Nephilim on his side would make his ascension to the position of Golden City lord much easier. He would no longer need to rely heavily on the cunning Qin or the foolish Hauten.

"Let's do this," he decided, the resolve clear in his voice.

If he wanted to do it right, he should done it before the Nephilim forces arrived, Without wasting any time, Barry Croft gathered his available forces, preparing for a decisive confrontation with the Terra faction. As soon as the order was given, one of the Croft magus discreetly sent a secret message to a woman, who had been hiding outside the estate.