At four o’clock in the afternoon, Martin followed Hugo into a diner across from Sunflower Hotel.
Compared to his rough appearance in the morning, he now had a touch of gentleness. With his coat, black hat, and glasses on his face, it was difficult to recognize him as the reckless brute who took down dozens of fierce prisoners.
Under Hugo’s guidance, Martin looked towards a table in the corner and saw a young man.
“I heard that the prison food is terrible, so I had someone prepare a chicken for you.”
Darnell stirred the steaming chicken soup and spoke in a calm voice, “I also got a few pounds of lamb meat. It should be enough for you to have a good meal.”
Martin squinted as he examined Darnell, feeling a vague sense of familiarity but unable to recall who he was. He took a step closer, his eyes filled with caution.
“Who are you? Why are you helping me? Are we acquainted? Are you sent by my boss or is this some scheme by police in Whiteville?”
As he spoke, he took out a coin from his pocket. Buzzing, the coin flipped and danced between his fingers like a beautiful butterfly.
If any danger arose, this coin would become a lethal weapon.
“Didn’t they tell you that we are the Apex?”
Darnell glanced at the coin on Martin’s finger before continuing, “We are not affiliated with Seven Wolves nor do we have any connection with police in Whiteville. We are genuine members of the underworld.”
“We are not familiar with Seven Wolves either, and we can even say that our paths have never crossed. The reason we’re helping you has three parts.”
He got straight to the point. “Firstly, I think you’re a tough guy, and I don’t want to see you get killed by the Axe. Secondly, the Apex is already at war with the Axe. The enemy of our enemy is our ally.”
“Thirdly, we need you to be an intermediary to facilitate an alliance between the Apex and Seven Wolves.”
Martin had heard about the conflict between the Apex and the Axe, so Darnell’s explanation felt authentic to him.
Darnell gestured for Martin to sit down. “The Axe killed many of your brothers right across from Sunflower Hotel that night and almost took your life. The bloodstains at the entrance can still be found.”
“I believe that Seven Wolves would want to take down the Axe, just as we want to eliminate Rex.”
“If we join forces, we can achieve twice as much with half the effort.”
“You want an alliance?”
Martin sat down in front of Darnell. “Seven Wolves hardly ever form alliances because our boss looks down on useless people.”
In his words, there was disdain towards the Apex. The coin in his hand continued flipping joyfully, reflecting his current superiority.
Hugo and several other young members of the Apex had their expressions change. They all knew that Martin was indirectly mocking their incompetence.
Darnell served Martin a bowl of soup and then pushed it slowly towards him with a faint smile.
“I’m like you. I look down on the useless.”
“So I won’t seek out a useless ally. You’re not bad, so I’m willing to give you a chance.”
He pointed to the steaming chicken soup. “This is for you-the essence of a whole chicken.”
Giving him a chance? This brat was a bit too arrogant.
Martin smirked, responding without hesitation, “It’s not you giving me a chance. It’s you who’s begging for Seven Wolves to cooperate.”
“Even though you saved me, I still have to say that my leader looks down on the Apex. He’s said that in Whiteville, aside from Carlos Edmonds, the rest are all useless.”
If they didn’t even regard the Axe, how could they possibly think highly of the Apex?
Hugo and the others were increasingly furious, nearly ready to beat him to a pulp. This bastard really had no respect for his benefactors.
“All useless?”
But Darnell didn’t get angry. He smiled calmly. “Your leader might have some skills, but he’s just a bit too full of himself.”
He served himself a bowl of chicken soup as well, skimming off the fat with his spoon. With a bright smile, he took a sip and asked, “Do you think the Apex is also useless?”
Martin wore a proud expression. “Do I even need to say it? If you weren’t useless, why would you need to seek an alliance? You would take care of Rex by yourselves a long ago.”
He had previously clashed with the Apex’s members, recalling an incident where a few thugs tried to collect protection money at a Seven Wolves restaurant. They strutted in like they owned the place, only to be beaten by him and quickly beg for mercy, crying out for help.
So, Martin held a low opinion of the Apex, seeing them as nothing more than a rabble.
Seeing Martin’s arrogance, Hugo couldn’t contain his anger any longer. “Martin, how can you talk like that?”
“Don’t forget, we’re the ones who saved you. Otherwise, you’d be chopped into pieces by the Axe right now. If we’re useless, then what does that make you? What about Seven Wolves that couldn’t save you?”
Several Apex members echoed in agreement, “Exactly! If we hadn’t helped, you’d be dead by now.”
“Bastards, do you dare insult me?”
Though Hugo was speaking the truth, Martin was still furious. “If you think you’re not useless, let’ fight and prove it to me!”
Hugo and the others were momentarily at a loss for words. They knew they were no match for Martin, who was as fierce as a beast.
“You were defeated by Kimberly.”
Darnell remained unfazed. “And the Apex took down Kimberly. So tell me, who’s really the more useless one here?”
Martin’s expression shifted. “You took down Kimberly?”
Hugo scoffed from the side, “Of course.”
“You must have used sheer numbers.”
After the shock, Martin showed a hint of disdain. He didn’t believe the Apex had the strength to take on Kimberly in a fair fight. He assumed they must have resorted to underhanded tactics or sheer numbers to secure their victory.
“You must have sacrificed a lot, but it’s worth it to take down Kimberly, no matter how many died.”
Then he changed his tone. “I appreciate the help the Apex gave me this morning. I will definitely return the favor twofold.”
“But if you want to team up with Seven Wolves, sorry, I can’t help. I won’t be the middleman.”
Martin didn’t touch the steaming chicken soup. Instead, he put away the coin in his hand and took a sip of tea.
“I can risk my life, but I won’t put my brothers in danger.”
He calculated carefully, knowing that if he accepted this favor, he might put his organization in a passive position.
Hugo and the others looked grim, wanting to say something but were silenced by Darnell, who finished his bowl of soup and then brought Martin’s bowl closer.
“Fine, I won’t force you. I just want to let you know that I was looking forward to sharing this chicken soup with you, to taste the deliciousness that has been simmering for five hours.”
“But it seems like you’re not interested and don’t have an appetite for it. You also look down on us.”
Darnell smiled and continued, “That’s alright. There’s still plenty of chicken meat in the pot. I sincerely hope that you can have some before there’s nothing left.”
Martin narrowed his eyes and asked, “What do you mean?”
“Nothing much. Just go back and tell your boss that it’s best to enjoy soup and meat while they last. Otherwise, there will be nothing left.”
With a wave of his hand, Darnell caught Martin’s coin in mid-air.
Martin stood frozen on the spot, looking at his empty hand in disbelief. He never expected Darnell to snatch away his coin like that.
Before Martin could react, Darnell made a swift motion with both hands.
“Snap!”
The coin was forcefully snapped in half by Darnell’s fingers.
Then he placed them on the table with two crisp sounds.
Unbelievable! What an astonishing display of finger strength!
Everyone who witnessed this scene couldn’t believe their eyes. Even Martin, who was about to get angry, stiffened his body.
Darnell’s unruly smile and sharp gaze made him hesitate to meet his eyes.
“Take this coin back to your boss.”
Darnell spoke calmly, “Consider it my way of saying hello.”
Martin was suddenly reminded of wanting to drink that bowl of chicken soup, but it was already too late. Darnell took away the spoon…
Some things were lost forever once they slipped away.