Valentin struggled desperately but soon stopped moving, as several axes were pressed against his neck.
Half an hour later, a hundred Axe members rushed to the factory, only to be blocked by four heavy trucks at a crossroads.
Then, the dirt from the trucks spilled out, burying over twenty people on the spot. Following that, the Apex members charged out, dealing a heavy blow to this group of reinforcements.
The clash between the two sides continued until dawn, ending only when both were exhausted and concerned about the police and public sentiment.
If such a large-scale gang fight continued openly in broad daylight, it wouldn’t take long for the police to crack down on them. So, they tacitly agreed to retreat.
However, this round had caused significant losses for the Axe.
At six in the morning, at the Apex’s headquarters.
Darnell, who had just woken up from a good night’s sleep, finished washing up and arrived at the hall to find Luca and Gisselle already waiting, all with bright smiles.
The table was filled with a lavish breakfast, showing the host’s thoughtfulness.
Upon seeing Darnell, Luca immediately burst into laughter and approached, “Mr. Halford, did you sleep well last night?”
Darnell smiled as he walked over. “The bed was comfortable, the environment was nice, and it was safe. How could I not sleep well?”
He then looked around at everyone before continuing, “But it seems like you all didn’t sleep that well. Each of you has dark circles under your eyes.”
Gisselle let out a hearty laugh. “We haven’t slept at all. Our mental fortitude isn’t as strong as Mr. Halford’s. With such an exciting battle last night, how could we settle down?”
“Even though we knew the Apex would win according to Mr. Halford’s plan, it always feels like something is missing without seeing the result.”
Darnell asked, “How was the battle?”
Gisselle laughed brightly, “With my radiant smile, Mr. Halford, you should be able to guess the outcome.”
“The results were quite fruitful.”
Luca waved for Darnell to sit down for breakfast. “After we dismantled Radiant Entertainment, Callum dealt a heavy blow to two hundred Axe members in the suburban factory.”
“Desmond and the others also took the opportunity to reclaim thirteen of the Apex’s territories. Oh! Valentin was also captured by Callum.”
Gisselle added, “We lost over a hundred men, while the other side lost more than five hundred. It’s a major victory since the war began.”
“Callum is currently sleeping. I wanted to wake him up to join us for breakfast, but he’s sleeping too soundly to rouse.”
“I think he’s exhausted from the night and still has injuries. Let him sleep well.”
Perhaps it was because Graveknocker had been taken out or due to the recent victory, but Luca’s spirits had improved significantly. Compared to the near-death look from days before, he now exuded a bit more of a commanding presence.
“Mr. Halford, thank you for your help. You’ve helped us get through this tough time.”
“The results are not bad.”
Darnell sat down at the table. “With five hundred injured, the Axe will have to lay low for a while. They won’t be able to retaliate immediately.”
“And we still have Seven Wolves as our ally, so the Apex can take a breather. Of course, we can’t let our guard down. Everyone must be cautious.”
“No one can guarantee Rex won’t try a sneak attack.”
He smiled at Luca. “Especially you, Luca. Be careful.”
“Mr. Halford, rest assured. Until we join forces with Seven Wolves, I’ll stay right here at the headquarters. No one can take my life.”
Luca straightened up. “In this battle, I’ve made my stand against Rex.”
Gisselle seized the opportunity to say, “Mr. Halford, after you joined the Apex, morale has soared, and we’ve had one victory after another. Why don’t you stay with us a few more days?”
“No, I have to go to work.”
Darnell took a sip of soy milk. “There’s a lot of pressure on the business. We have a significant gap in sales performance. If I don’t achieve the sales goal soon, I’ll be out of a job next year.”
“You just need to do things according to the established plan. It doesn’t matter whether I’m here or not.”
He rubbed his fingers against the cup. “If anything happens, find me in Woodsea.”
In Darnell’s view, being a security consultant in Woodsea was far more liberating than being a gang leader.
“Mr. Halford is busy.”
Luca waved a hand to stop Gisselle from speaking, “How can we let him waste time here?”
Then he changed the subject. “Mr. Halford, although the Apex only controls Northmoor, there are still many hospitals and pharmacies within the jurisdiction, totaling around four hundred.”
“If you need it, I can place an order. While I can’t guarantee one or two billion in sales, achieving two to three hundred million in sales is certainly possible.”
Darnell’s eyes lit up at the mention. He had almost forgotten the Apex’s influence over medical institutions.
Darnell laughed, “If possible, please let them know that Spectrum Pharmaceuticals will replace Pioneer Properties, keeping the prices and rebates the same.”
“Sure, I’ll arrange for that. Mr. Halford, don’t worry.”
Luca was quite pleased, thinking he was finally able to return a favor. “I’ll ensure that all medical institutions in Northmoor use Spectrum Pharmaceuticals’ products.”
Darnell took a few more sips of soy milk. “Thank you, Luca.”
Gisselle suddenly remembered something. “By the way, how are we handling Valentin? That guy is not only stubborn but is also on a hunger strike.”
Darnell picked up a piece of bread and stood up to head outside. “Take me to see him.”
Gisselle quickly got up to lead the way. “Mr. Halford, please.”
Luca watched the two depart, chuckling to himself without saying anything, then finished his soy milk in one gulp.
A burning sensation slid down his throat and into his stomach, but Luca felt nothing at all.
Ten minutes later, Darnell arrived to see Valentin, who was shackled with iron chains, his arms and legs restrained. He was still wearing the dark clothes from the ambush last night.
The outfit was stained with blood, grease, and dirt, making him look quite disheveled. His face showed disgust, but as a prisoner, he had no choice.
“Good morning, Valentin.”
Darnell pulled up a chair and sat in front of Valentin, his smile bright. “How are you finding it here?”
“Darnell?”
Valentin’s eyes widened, and he struggled against his restraints for a moment before seeming to understand, a self-deprecating smile forming on his lips.
“I was wondering how the disorganized Apex managed to transform so dramatically in just a few days, causing the Axe to suffer heavy losses three times in a row.”
“I thought it was Luca’s last hurrah. Turns out it was you behind all this.”
Valentin scoffed, “The person in the alley the other day was you, right?”
Darnell nodded with a smile. “That’s right. It was me.”
“You bastard!”
Valentin spat venomously at Darnell. “The ambusher is you, and you’re also the one who dug the pit last night. You’re truly despicable and shameless!”
He then turned to Gisselle. “The Apex is truly pathetic, relying on outsiders to survive. I look down on you!”
Gisselle responded haughtily, “Outsider? Mr. Halford is our advisor. What do we have to be ashamed of?”
“If they’re so pathetic, they won’t be still alive and free.”
Darnell’s smile remained warm. “But you, who claim to be the great strategist of the Axe, are now their prisoner. Don’t you find that truly pathetic?”
Valentin was taken aback for a moment, then shouted, “I expected to die when I got into this game. Stop wasting words. If you have the guts, kill me!”
“Rex will be back soon. Once he returns to Whiteville, the Axe is dead meat!”
Darnell laughed heartily, noncommittally replying, “I’m waiting for Rex to return.”
Valentin held his head high. “Stop talking nonsense. Just kill me directly! It’s impossible to get anything from me.”
“Who said I wanted to kill you?”
Darnell snapped his fingers, and two Apex members approached with a tray, one holding clothes that fit Valentin, and the other presenting a delicious, warm breakfast.
As Valentin was momentarily stunned, Darnell spoke casually, “Take a shower, have breakfast, and then you can leave.”
Valentin’s body shook violently as he asked, “What? Are you letting me go?”
After all the effort the Apex put into capturing him, they were now just letting him leave? Was this a trap?
“Yeah!”
Darnell replied calmly, “Keeping you here is a waste of manpower and resources. It’s better to let you go.”
Gisselle’s lips twitched, her eyes filled with surprise, but she said nothing, allowing Darnell to take charge.
Valentin found it hard to believe. “You’re really going to let me go? No conditions?”
“There is one!”
Darnell pointed to the breakfast and clothes, “Eat up, take a shower, and then leave.”
Ten minutes later, Valentin finished showering, devoured his breakfast, and cautiously walked out of the Apex’s headquarters.
As he approached the door, he deliberately slowed his pace, glancing back at Darnell and the Apex members a few times. Once he confirmed there was no movement, he slowly made his way outside.
“Phew!”
Just as Valentin stepped outside the iron gate, he let out a long breath and then took off running, afraid Darnell would change his mind.
Watching Valentin disappear into the distance, Gisselle asked, puzzled, “Mr. Halford, why did you let him go again?”
“If I really wanted to capture him, I could have taken him down in Radiant Entertainment.”
Darnell’s smile was cunning. “Why give him another chance to retaliate? Besides, if he doesn’t go back, how will the Axe create chaos?”
Luca’s eyes lit up. “Capturing and releasing him… you want to make Rex suspicious of him?”
“Transfer 20 million to his account.”
Darnell chuckled as he added, “Make it discreet.”
“And by the way, inform the brothers in the underworld that Valentin took a shower and had breakfast at the Apex’s headquarters…”