The Endgame Chronicles (by Hugh White) novel Chapter 177

Chapter 177

Hayley looked straight at Alexand shouted, “Strip every Hope Base member of their weapons. Reward is 100 pounds of grain!” Instantly, the four small bases raised their weapons and rushed in. With overwhelming numbers, they easily disarmed the few Hope Base members.

Most of Hope Base’s people were inventory-variant Gifted, and the rest were researchers with barely any combat ability. They were no match for the others.

Alex’s expression changed completely.

“Stop!” he ordered.

Hayley chuckled. “I told you that you’re too young to handle this. Who exactly do you think will listen to you? The only person you can stop is yourself.”

“Captain Reid, you are extremely arrogant.” Alex clenched his fists.

After one tense second of facing her, he finally withdrew his mental energy.

The next moment, Hayley kicked him hard in the chest and sent him flying.

Standing over him, she said coldly, “You’re a weak, tiny force, but you’re acting like you’re mighty. Now that’s real arrogance.

“I’ll make this clear for you. I saved your lives. I’m dividing this food, not sharing it with you. You never had the qualifications to negotiate with me. If anything, Hope Base owes me for saving you. When I say you can’t handle this, this is what I mean. If I were you, I’d behave and do as I’m told.”

Hayley pressed her boot to his chest, smiling down at him.

Looking into her eyes, Alex felt his usually steady heartbeat jump violently.

He saw the power of a predator.

True strength started from the soul. It had nothing to do with gender, nothing to do with age. Some people were simply strong, dominant, and unshakeable.

Hayley was one of them.

Alex realized he really wasn’t qualified to negotiate with her.

Just like she said, he couldn’t handle the situation at all. He thought Hope Base’s reputation would be enough to control the

room.

But in reality, he had offended all four small bases, while Base K1 stood firmly with Hayley. He never had a seat at the negotiating table to begin with.

If Hayley said he wouldn’t get a single grain, then he had no grounds to resist. He didn’t have the right or power to demand anything.

First, Hayley had saved their lives.

Besides, she wasn’t part of his task force, and he had personally excluded her from the mission yesterday.

And in terms of power, there was simply no comparison.

For the first time in this genius’s smooth, privileged life, Alex ran into a wall he couldn’t overcome.

He had lost completely to Hayley..

“I understand,” he finally said coldly as he stared at her.

+15 Bonus

Hayley let out a soft laugh.

She had told him to do astre was told, and he sure was a fast learner. No wonder he was considered smart.

He could evaluate the pros and cons instantly.

She lifted her boot off his chest. “You can go.”

Alex stood up. The others from Hope Base were released as well, though their weapons were confiscated and added to Hayley’s growing pile of rewards. None of them dared ask for their uns back.

After one last deep look at Hayley, Alex led his people to their truck and drove off temporarily.

Once they left, the entire atmosphere relaxed.

Hayley continued directing Leonard to load Base K1’s share. The air was filled with grain dust as trucks rumbled through.

Since it was already nighttime, the other teams parked at the nearby open space, planning to rest until morning.

At that moment, Liam walked over to Hayley.

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