Chapter 1312
The next day, as expected, the Bartitsu Guild sent a team over.
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Darren personally led the team. “Ms. Garcia, these are the experts selected from the elite forces of the guild. They are all capable individuals. You may make the arrangement before we set off.”
“There’s no hurry for that.” Neera did not move, only offering a slight smile.
Darren frowned. “No hurry? Ms. Garcia, as far as I know, the situation in those five districts is quite chaotic right now. The sooner we take control of them, the better. The Gordon family has already lost the upper hand. If we don’t act quickly and they rise up, we could be put on the defensive, which could lead to endless troubles.”
Neera flashed a polite smile.
“Mr. Torres, your point is indeed valid. However, everything has a process. Taking control of them forcibly is not the best solution. Even if we can temporarily gain control, the conflict between the Gordon family and the five districts still exists and may even intensify. This approach is greatly disadvantageous for the Gordon family’s full,control over the five districts.”
Darren stood against the light, half of his face hidden in the shadows, giving him an inexplicably melancholic aura.
“Ms. Garcia, this is a directive from the guild. The vice president specifically requested that we act swiftly. Are you questioning the decisions made by the guild’s higher-ups?”
Neera responded calmly and unhurriedly, “What are you talking about, Mr. Torres? The guild has gone to great lengths for the Gordon family, sending so many experts to help. The Gordon family can’t thank them enough. How could we possibly question them?”
Darren pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “What do you mean by acting this way, then, Ms. Garcia? Are you stalling for time, or do you have another agenda?”
Neera chuckled, covering her lips. “Well, what you said is quite interesting, Mr. Torres. The Gordon family fought to the death to get District Twenty-One to District Twenty-Five, and they belong to us. How could we possibly do anything that would harm our own interests? What benefit would delaying bring us? As for having another agenda… that’s even more absurd. Only those who covet what doesn’t belong to them and dream of seizing others’ power through underhanded means can be said to have another agenda.”
She spoke in a seemingly carefree manner, her tone even carrying a hint of cheerfulness. However, her words were laced with veiled threats and barbs. She just did not call out their names.
Darren’s face immediately took on a displeased expression.
Yet, he couldn’t refute anything; otherwise, he would be admitting to the accusations.
The atmosphere subtly shifted.
Neera leisurely watched as Darren’s face gradually hardened, acting as if nothing was wrong, and continued to put on a maddeningly smug smile.
“Of course, I don’t mean to reject the kindness of the guild. It’s just that I have other arrangements. There’s no hurry at this moment. I’ve already had a mansion prepared nearby. I’ll take you all, the experts, there to rest in a while. There will be people there to take care of you. During this time, you can rejuvenate and gather your strength. When the time is right, I will ask for your assistance to show your skills.”
Darren’s brows furrowed. “When the time is right? Ms. Garcia, when exactly are you referring to?”
“In times of crisis, of course. Although the current situation isn’t very optimistic, no matter how you look at it, the five districts are in a state of disarray. Unless something unexpected happens, they won’t be able to cause much trouble. Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? We, the Gordon family, still have some manpower. Let them handle it first. If they can’t cope, we can ask everyone for help at that time. What do you think, Mr. Torres?”
Darren fell silent for a while, then decided that this approach might not be so bad after all.
With the manpower of the Gordon family, trying to take control of the five districts would be quite challenging.
When the time arrived, even if the Gordon family did not feel like it, they would have no choice but to come to him for help.
His expression softened a little when he thought of that.
“All right. Since you are so sincere and considerate of the guild, Ms. Garcia, we will respectfully comply. If the situation turns unfavorable, please don’t hesitate to inform me at any time.”
Neera smiled reassuringly. “Rest assured that I won’t stand on ceremony with you when the time comes.”
After that, Neera arranged for someone to take them to a mansion behind the Gordon residence. She even made a point of instructing her people in front of everyone, emphasizing that they must take care of them in every possible way without the slightest negligence.
Once everyone had left, the smile on Neera’s face faded, and exhaustion immediately washed over her.
As Jean descended the stairs, he saw that she was slumped on the couch and looking as if she had lost all will to live.
Hearing the noise, Neera glanced at him, humming weakly as a form of greeting.
With a smile, Jean walked over and sat down next to her.
“You don’t look so good. Did it not go well?”
Neera stared blankly at the ceiling and said sullenly, “It went well, but dealing with these cunning people is truly exhausting. Everyone here is so crafty, a slight misstep and you’ll be drawn into their schemes. It’s terrifying. It feels like every word I say to them has to be filtered. It’s really tiring.”
Seeing her so exhausted, Jean felt a pang of heartache. After a moment of thought, he gently comforted her, “Take a break, then. Leave the rest to me. I’ll sort everything out for you.”
