After a moment of hesitation, Scar Face said, “Then tell me what benefits I'll have if I work with you?”
Declan asked, “What do you want?”
Scar Face mulled over his words for a moment before saying, “Twenty pounds of Spirit Stones.”
Declan gasped. “You're insane! You're old, and you should know what twenty pounds of Spirit Stones mean. That's a month's income for Centuria! If I give it to you, then Centuria won't have anything to live on for the month!”
Scar Face hummed. “Too bad. If you don't give me the twenty pounds of Spirit Stones, I'll tell Ms. Phoenix about your betrayal.”
You f*cking—
Declan was stumped. “Scar Face, can't you be a little more far-sighted? So what if you get twenty pounds of Spirit Stones now? You'll still be as broke as before once you spend them all.”
Moreover, other Centurions will surely target you if you suddenly get twenty pounds of Spirit Stones. You might be able to get rich, but you won't be able to spend it!”
Scar Face nodded. “That's true. Forget it. I don't want Spirit Stones anymore. I'm going to reveal to the others that you're the traitor instead.”
What?
Declan panicked. “Stop, Scar Face! Why don't I offer you a deal you won't be able to resist instead?”
Scar Face raised his brows and asked, “Oh, do tell me what it is. I'd like to see if I'm interested.”
“To be honest with you, the Centurion I've sided with is very capable. He has already promised to make me the second-in-command of his Centuria. If you come with me, why don't I let you be the second-in-command instead?”
Scar Face shook his head. “That doesn't sound good enough.”
His patience completely depleted, Declan snarled, “Then what do you want?”
Scar Face responded, “Do you think I'm an idiot? He promised to make you second-in-command, but he's probably only going to do it if you succeed in the plan. Now that his plan is known to others, there's no way it's going to work. So, why would he still make you the second-in-command? In fact, he might even think that you were the one who revealed the plan. He might even kill you!”
Hearing that, Declan felt his heart skip a beat.
Right. Why didn't I think about this earlier? Will Mr. Platinum kill me to erase the evidence if he finds out Phoenix has realized this was his plan and is now trying to lure him out? That's very likely. What do I do? What do I do? There's nothing else I can do. Darn this. I never expected this to happen to me.
Declan cried out miserably, “Tell me, Scar Face. How did I treat you in the past?”
Scar Face ruminated about it for a while and answered, “Pretty well.”
“Okay. In that case, can you let me go? I've crossed two Centurions, and I won't be able to survive in Centuria's district anymore. I'm going to go to the outermost Contubernium's district instead. Don't worry. As long as I'm alive, I'll keep sending you a part of my income. Trust me.”
Scar Face then said, “Honestly, I'm tempted, but even if I agree to this, she won't.”
What? Who?
Declan frowned and said, “There's no one else here.”
Right as those words were out of his mouth, a gentle breeze blew behind him. It seemed like someone had landed behind him.
Who is it?
Declan shuddered and spun around.
The moment he registered the face of the newcomer, his mind went blank.
Phoenix. It's Phoenix! D*mn it. Why is Phoenix all the way here? She must have suspected my involvement. Oh no, I'm doomed.
Nevertheless, Declan was not going to admit to his betrayal until the very last moment.
Trying his best to let any of his emotions show on his face, Declan said, “Ms. Phoenix, why are you here?”
Phoenix's expression was glacial as she uttered, “Declan, tell me. How do I usually treat you?”
“I... I...” Declan stammered.
Phoenix snapped, “Answer me!”
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