Chapter 1243:

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Sharing their hard-won prize now felt like handing away gold for nothing.

Not about to let this challenge go unanswered, Mason turned to address the man who had dared to question him.

“Everyone, hear me out. We initially agreed to strike the Axe Gang together and split the spoils, but the situation has changed. That attack is no longer necessary, so I believe it’s time we abandon the plan altogether.”

Mason didn’t sugarcoat it. Everything that had been agreed upon regarding the Axe Gang—including the promised rewards—was now off the table.

Naturally, the others didn’t take that lightly.

“Mr. Rhodes, don’t you think this is a bit sudden? We just sealed an agreement, and now you’re pulling the plug?”

𝖢𝗵𝘪ո𝘦ѕ𝘦 n𝗼𝘷𝗲𝗹𝘴 t𝘳𝗮𝗇𝘀𝗹а𝗍𝘦𝗱 оn 𝗀a𝗹n𝘰𝘷𝖾𝗹𝗌.𝖼o𝗆

“Dragging us out here in the middle of the night only to dismiss us? Are you treating us like fools?”

“For years, we’ve had no shot at growing stronger. And now, just when we finally get that chance, the Dark Hills wants to hog everything? That won’t sit well with any of us.”

The other gangs had been itching to carve up the Axe Gang’s territories and boost their standing. Being told to back off—and worse, that the Dark Hills would claim everything—was a blow they weren’t willing to swallow.

“You’re twisting things now. The surrender has nothing to do with the rest of you. The Axe Gang submitted before any word of an attack even got out. And they didn’t surrender to you, but to us. Let’s not rewrite history.”

Before Mason could reply, Orlando stepped forward, unable to stay silent any longer.

To him, their greed was unbearable.

The Dark Hills had done the heavy lifting, especially through their victories in the Underground Fighter Combat. It made no sense for others to expect a share when they hadn’t made a move.

Still, there was another side to it. From a broader perspective, the other gangs also played a role in this. If Maren hadn’t sent Boynton with a warning about a joint assault, the Axe Gang might never have caved.

But from where Mason and Orlando stood, none of that mattered. The Axe Gang couldn’t have known what was coming since the plan never went public. That made their surrender seem authentic to them.

Truth be told, surrendering out of sheer fear when destruction was imminent was not the same as surrendering by one’s own choice.

From Mason and Orlando’s perspective, the Axe Gang had no idea they were walking into a trap. That made their surrender seem genuine, which pleased them greatly.

But the moment Orlando spoke up, tempers in the room flared.

“Hey, we’re speaking to your father, not you. What makes you think you’ve earned a seat at this table?”

The planned assault on the Axe Gang was no small matter. Those in attendance held real authority, either leading their gangs or standing as second-in-command. To them, Orlando’s interruption was a direct insult.

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