Chapter 50: Chapter 50

Raymond looked at Thyme and Verdict who were still where they were. Thyme remained calm, although he caught a hint of anxiety on their cute face. Meanwhile, Verdict has lost control of his emotions after seeing one of his members killed by Simon, struggling while continuing to curse Simon who seemed not to care about the man's anger.

His hands that were not holding the revolver were clenched into fists, trying to remain calm against the man who was still waiting for his answer.

'What's the guarantee?'

'You join me, everyone in this place will be released.'

Raymond narrowed his eyes, doubting Simon's words which did not sound convincing in his ears. Simon absolutely not mentioning the conditions if he refused the offer. His attention turned to Edward.

'I wondered what kind of joke will I have as soon as I come here. In fact, something happened beyond my expectation,' Edward looked up. The look in the man's eyes was very sad when he said that, and his sigh was as if he was carrying a very heavy burden. Then the man looked back at the person who had been considered his uncle. 'It's totally unexpected. I didn't even know what to say anymore.'

'You don't need to be that dramatic, Eddie,' Rufus laughed softly in response to Edward's despair caused by the old man himself. 'You just have to choose sides with Simon, and things will be back to normal.'

Edward pulled Raymond's wrist closer to the man so that he could feel the warmth of Edward's hand gripping him, providing a sense of security amid the unlikely situation. 'Raymond. I told you, stay behind me.'

Once again, Simon opened fire on the person detained by his members. This time one of the Umberbridge members. 'It's not the time to act heroic, Edward Groningen. Let your boyfriend choose. Time is running out, remember?'

'Simon! Damn bastard!' Verdict shouted from his place, cursing at the man who was not provoked by his curses, still trying to get away from Simon's subordinates who were circling him. 'Listen! When I can untie these ties, I will make sure you will die! Bear that in your mind!'

'Shout all you can, Walter. I have no business with you until my business with Raymond is finished,' the man's thin lips were wearing a smile that did not please anyone who saw him. 'I'm not someone who can wait any longer.'

'I'm also not a person who likes half-hearted offers,' Raymond forced his hand off Edward, throwing a sharp gaze at Edward who intended to return to ask him to take cover behind him. 'I prefer being with my boss now than yours!'

As soon as he said it, he landed his feet on Simon who dodged it, taking him away from his place while he let Edward who had started his fight with Rufus. The hand holding the revolver kept pulling the trigger, spewing out bullets which, unfortunately, did not hit Simon. His attention was no longer on Verdict. On Thyme. To members of Umberbridge and Walter who seemed ready to wait for their death. His focus was only one; killed Simon.

'Then, I'll take it as a no?'

'Do I need to explain?'

His leg managed to kick Simon in the stomach, throwing the man's body two meters away.

'Shit! Damn it! Damn! Dare to touch Brother Ray and I'll kill you!'

The words Verdict spoke to the man did not distract him from Raymond.

'It's easier if you just accept my offer, Raymond Cooper,' Simon did not take his eyes off Raymond, but the man's hand moved to shoot one of the party guests who was screaming in terror right in the head, killing the guest. The man's eyes were so savage, thirsty for blood, licking his lower lip. 'You can take my word. But sure, I can't promise about Thyme Umberbridge. Because from the start, I'm attracted to them.'

The atmosphere in the room after the shooting of one of the guests managed to stop the panicked screams of the people in the room. Raymond's eyes scanned the faces of all the guests in the room. There are several faces of important people from all over the UN artificial island that he knew when he was searching for information about Simon Clive. Government members from each island, politicians, soldiers, and businessmen gather in this place.

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