End of the World? I'm the Boss novel Chapter 345

Chapter 345 Sorry, But No

Finished

The last thing Jack had expected was a refusal, and the confidence on his face locked up like a frozen gate.

He looked as though he genuinely hadn’t heard right. “What was that?”

“I have to decline,” Martin said, his voice level.

“Are you out of your mind?” Jack’s brow furrowed hard.

“I was going to offer you 20 percent and keep 40 for myself, but I was willing to step down to 30-30.

“We already made a significant concession, and your answer is that you’re not happy with it?”

Unlike Jack’s rising heat, Martin’s composure held without a crack. “I said what I said. I have to decline.”

Jack looked like he was one breath away from laughing out of sheer frustration. “Fine. Fine! So you don’t want the courtesy we’re extending?

“Then tell me what you want.”

Martin’s gaze moved across the room, unhurried and calm. “There are six bases here. Six bases, equal split.”

The other bases erupted in relief and approval.

Jack’s expression darkened to something thunderous.

An equal six–way split meant Vernon Base would walk away with barely 16 percent.

From 40 down to 16. Who in their right mind would accept that?

A cold, contemptuous laugh left his lips. “Commander Bax, are you joking with me right now?”

“Not at all.” Martin inclined his head.

“I simply think it’s the fairest solution.”

“Fairness! You want to talk about fairness?”

Jack’s laugh came out sharp and humorless. “Wake up. This is the apocalypse. The fairness you’re asking for doesn’t exist anymore.

“Commander Bax, I extended this offer out of respect for what a military base represents. But if you’re going to be this unreasonable, don’t expect me to keep my gloves on.

“Option one, Vernon Base takes 40 percent, and the remaining 60 is yours to divide however you like.

“Option two, 30-30, with the remaining 40 going to the rest of them. And to show good faith, our base would be open to a broader alliance with Redwood in other areas. We’re both among the strongest bases out here. Strong players belong at the same table, Commander Bax. Surely you understand something that straightforward.”

11:31 am

ppp.

Chapter 345–Sorry, But No

Finished

That last part was what worried the other bases most.

They knew their own haitations. Neither Redwood nor Vernon Base was a fight they could win, and if those two joined forces, every smaller base’s position would sink even further.

“That won’t be necessary.” Martin’s tone didn’t change at all. “My position stays the same. Six bases, equal split.”

“Why you…” Jack’s fury nearly choked his words.

He couldn’t wrap his mind around it. How could anyone in this world be this immovably stubborn?

“I’m asking you one more time…”

“Ask a hundred times. The answer’s the same.”

Martin glanced at the time, then looked back. “Mr. Neel, your base’s strength isn’t something I’m disputing. But if you insist on being this unreasonable, the rest of us will be standing together against you.”

That one sentence pulled every smaller base into his corner

in

an instant.

And with Martin behind them, Westfield Base, Global Base, and Sunrise Base all found their spines at the same time.

“That’s right! We want an equal split!”

“If you’re going to be this unreasonable, then let’s settle it! See whether your strength or our numbers wins out!”

The faces of the Vernon Base members went rigid and sour.

To them, the other bases were a disorganized mob. And Vernon Base had guns, which in the apocalypse were still among the most decisive weapons alive.

But Redwood Military Base had guns too.

More people, and better–equipped ones at that. If this turned into an actual confrontation, Vernon Base would come out the worse for it.

“Mr. Neel, Martin is being completely insufferable!” One of the Vernon Base members had gone red to the ears with indignation. “Is he really trying to bury us under sheer numbers?”

“There are so many bases out there that would kill for an alliance with us, and Redwood has the nerve to throw it back in our faces!”

“What choice do we have? They have guns, same as us.”

And a military base’s arsenal was a different class of firepower entirely.

“So what do we do? Do we actually have to split it equally?”

The Vernon Base members burned with resentment.

11:31 am

ppp.

Chapter 345 Serry, But No

Finished

They’d thrown their weight around on that reputation alone, and this was the first time they’d ever run into a wall this solid.

The feeling sat like a splinter they couldn’t reach.

“Artemisia,” Jack said, his expression stony his voice drawn out and deliberate, “what do you think?”

The woman behind him considered it for a moment before letting out a slow, measured breath. “Mr. Neel, I think we’re going to have to take the loss on this one.”

Jack’s temple pulsed. “You can’t think of anything?”

Artemisia Limbledon’s composure, especially compared to his, was unshakable. “Mr. Neel, stepping back right now is the best move we have.

“We don’t have a clear picture of Redwood Military Base’s full strength. The other bases don’t amount to much individually, but combined, they’re still a genuine threat. If a real fight breaks out here, there’s no telling what else could go wrong.”

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