Chapter 701: The Feud (6) – The War Breaks Out
Manuel hung up on Theodore and texted Oscar, a simple cross symbol signifying mission failure. A circle would have indicated success. He then drove back to the hotel, determined to find Hannah despite her unknown location in the sprawling capital city.
The banquet hall was elegant. Oscar stood respectfully behind the Collins family, among the numerous serving staff. Suddenly, a waitress accidentally spilled wine on Melvin. Terrified, she profusely apologized, "Sorry, Mr. Balderston. I'm so sorry."
The incident immediately drew everyone's attention. Melvin, after glancing at his soaked shirt, replied calmly, "Never mind. Be more careful next time." The waitress continued to apologize, visibly shaken. "It's OK. Off you go," Melvin said, his demeanor neither angry nor overly solicitous. Mrs. Balderston also dismissed the waitress.
Rowan then noted Melvin's wet shirt, advising, "Melvin, your shirt is all wet. Go get changed. Be careful not to catch a cold." Melvin remained silent. Rowan summoned a waiter to escort Melvin to the dressing room, where spare clothes were readily available.
"Excuse me," Melvin said, rising. Rowan nodded, and Melvin departed.
Oscar, aware that Rowan orchestrated the incident, saw it as a calculated move. By sending Melvin away, Rowan aimed to create the impression that Melvin had gone to dispatch the assassins. Oscar remained outwardly calm.
Moments later, Mathew whispered to Rowan, "No body armor." The Collins family, harboring deep mistrust of Oscar, had staged the accident to achieve two goals: giving Melvin an opportunity to seemingly "kill" Rowan, and assessing whether Melvin wore body armor – the absence of which would suggest Oscar's loyalty.
Oscar, however, had anticipated the Collins family's plan. He’d advised Melvin against wearing body armor, securing the Collins’ trust while simultaneously facilitating Melvin's elimination, should the need arise.
Melvin, initially hesitant, ultimately removed his body armor. He recognized Rowan’s cunning and admired Oscar's foresight.
Upon returning, Rowan greeted him effusively, "Melvin, over here! Cheers!"
"Cheers, Mr. Collins," Melvin replied humbly.
"Great," Rowan said kindly. He then broached the subject of a marriage alliance between the families, proposing his daughter Lillian as a potential bride for Melvin. Mrs. Balderston enthusiastically supported the idea.
Suddenly, a scream ripped through the hall. A man dressed as a waiter lunged at Rowan with a gun. Oscar reacted instantly, tackling Rowan to the floor and taking a gunshot wound to the arm in the process. Chaos erupted. The assassin, having missed his target, was quickly subdued by security.
Rowan, shaken, glared at the captured assassin. "Who sent you?" he demanded. The assassin remained silent.
A search of the assassin revealed a marked pistol – the letter "B," the Balderston family symbol. The families jointly controlled all weaponry in Northfield, each piece uniquely marked for inventory.
Rowan confronted Melvin, who appeared oblivious. "Melvin, how dare you! I've taken you as a son for so many years. Explain it!" Rowan roared, violently throwing the gun at Melvin. The act ignited the long-simmering conflict between the Collins and Balderston families.