Chapter 47: A Confrontation

"Huh?" William was momentarily stunned by Jared's swift, negative reply. Then, smiling, he said, "That's fine. Josephine, though a woman, is very skilled in business and can handle it alone!"

He left after that.

Jared watched his back, a wry smile playing on his lips. He understood William's concern; Josephine was his only daughter and the future heir to the family business. If he were to marry her, someone would have to shoulder that burden—and he had little interest in business.

Soon, the guests finished eating and began to depart. But at that moment, the banquet hall doors burst open, and dozens of armed men stormed in. Their leader, a man radiating a palpable aura of martial arts prowess, looked savage.

Shock rippled through the guests. Walter's expression turned cold. Luca instantly drew a half-foot-long machete from his waistband and positioned himself before Walter.

"Security! Where's security?!" William yelled.

No security guards appeared.

"Save it, Mr. Sullivan," the leader said coldly. "None are coming."

"Why barge in with so many men, Steven? Do you know this banquet is hosted by Mr. Grange?" William demanded.

The men were from the Crimson Dragon Gang; their leader was Steven Fisher.

Steven strode to Walter, bowing low. "Mr. Grange, I apologize for the intrusion. I'm here for Tommy."

Tommy's hands clenched into fists. He'd known from the moment Steven entered that this was about him.

The Templar Regiment and the Crimson Dragon Gang were mortal enemies. Neither could currently defeat the other. Tommy usually brought many men to events, but he'd been careless this time, attending Walter's banquet alone. He'd felt safe, assuming Jared would be there.

Steven must have gotten wind of his vulnerability. Killing Tommy would leave the Templar Regiment leaderless, ripe for annexation by the Crimson Dragon Gang.

"I don't care! How dare you invade my banquet?" Walter barked, his face like ice.

"Mr. Grange, I'm here to settle a score with Tommy. I had no choice," Steven replied respectfully.

"Nonsense!" Walter slammed his hand on the table. "Are you defying me?"

"I don't wish to, Mr. Grange. But I won't let Tommy escape this opportunity. And your invitation to Tommy, but not to me, clearly shows your disdain for the Crimson Dragon Gang," Steven countered, his tone neither subservient nor aggressive.

His resentment at not being invited was obvious. Walter hadn't invited him because the enmity between him and Tommy was too deep; Steven's presence would be problematic.

"Steven, don't tell me—" Walter's face flushed crimson as he saw Steven wouldn't back down.

Before he could finish, Tommy stepped forward. "This is my problem. I'll handle it. You're here for me, so let's duel!"

He adopted a fighting stance.

"I admire your courage! Then I'll kill you and take your Templar Regiment!" Steven charged.

(Please note: I removed the repeated promotional sentence for FindNovel.net. It's inappropriate to include unsolicited advertising in edited text.)