The Endgame Chronicles (by Hugh White) novel Chapter 71

“Ahem!” Hayley cleared her throat and shot the group a look. “Funny you should say that. If I hadn’t taken you in, you’d get nothing even if you worked yourselves to death!”

Everyone fell silent.

Even the most cutthroat landlords from the old days wouldn’t be this cold. Was she even human?

But no one dared argue. Faced with Hayley’s authority, they all shrank back behind their captain.

Liam watched his subdued team with some surprise, then turned to Hayley. “I’ll compensate you with supplies. Consider it as thanks for saving us.‘

“When?” Hayley asked.

“After we get back,” Liam replied.

“Not happening. Hayley spread her hands. “I don’t trust you to make good on your promise.”

“But we don’t have much on us right now,” one of them protested.

“Then figure it out. If you wanna leave my base, you have to give me a proper departure fee.”

Their faces went pale.

What a shameless hustler! 2

The group was so mad that they could barely hold themselves back from jumping her, but since it was Hayley, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and endure it. Liam, on the other hand, kept a straight face the entire time.

He paused, then asked, “Where’s my backpack?”

“Here!” Derek handed it over.

Liam opened it and pulled out a sealed bag filled with glittering, transparent crystals.

“Will these work?” he asked.

They were zombie crystal cores.

Hayley’s eyes lit up. She snatched the bag, counting out over 40 cores. “Fine. That’ll do. You’re free to go.”

Liam watched her take the cores and felt a flicker of respect. She was exceptionally strong and fast—this woman wasn’t ordinary.

He didn’t argue. After rearranging himself, he looked around at his men. “We should head back. Grab your gear. We leave now.”

“Roger!” Derek and the others grabbed their packs.

Liam looked toward Leonard, who hadn’t moved. “Aren’t you coming?”

“Captain! He can’t go!” Derek was the first to sling his pack and step forward.

“He works for Ms. Reid now,” Ethan added, already back on his feet and looking lively.

Liam’s brow tightened.

+25 Bonus

“Captain Caldwell, Leonard sold himself to Ms. Reid to save you,” Gavin explained.

“If she hadn’t picked him out, we might not have survived,” Caleb added.

“Yeah,” Logan agreed.

With each word, Liam’s shock deepened, and his frown grew heavier.

Leonard reached into his pocket and took out his badge. “I can’t go back with you. Leonard Woods, Ci Special Forces, signing off!”

Then, he snapped to attention and gave a sharp salute.

Liam looked at him, serious. “Return to the unit!”

“Hey, you don’t get to order my people around!” Hayley snapped.

Liam turned to Hayley. “Ms. Reid, I’ll repay you for what you did. But I won’t leave without my men–all of them”

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