Chapter 303
“Jasmine, are you insane?” Jessica screamed at the video screen, her voice raw with desperation.
“Chicago Lords practically rule the whole damn country. You’re dragging all of Vancouver into a bloodbath!” Jessica’s words echoed through the tense silence.
Everyone knew the stakes. Defeat would mean surrendering their business, their rights—everything Vancouver stood for.
Jasmine leaned forward, eyes blazing with defiance. “No their not and Mr. Hernandez might have power, but that doesn’t guarantee he’ll crush us. We might win p>
“Win? With what? Forget skills and firepower-we barely have enough people to stand against them!” Jessica hissed, frustration and fear thick in her voice.
A cold, ruthless smile curved Jasmine’s lips.
“Funny, mother, that question should’ve crossed your mind before you helped those snakes try to rob me.” Without waiting for a response, Jasmine slammed the call shut, leaving the screen blank and mocking.
Jessica stood frozen beside Charles, both faces pale and stricken.
Behind them, Zane lay sprawled on the floor, panting through cracked ribs and broken limbs.
Meanwhile, Alex strolled out of the room without a glance back, leaving them to drown in the mess they’d helped create.
Jessica knew damn well-sending Zane back to Chicago under these terms was no different than planting a flag of war.
Swallowing her pride, Jessica knelt beside Zane.
“Mr. Hernandez, please forgive us. If you agree, we can help you return safely p>
Within days, as everyone anticipated, the emergency conference summoned the thirteen state leaders to an urgent online meeting.
Tommy Jones, patriarch of Chicago Lords and the head of the Five Families, wasted no time.
“We sent Zane Hernandez to negotiate fairly with Vancouver over medical supplies. Instead, he was brutally assaulted and returned to us battered and broken,” Tommy’s voice thundered across the digital assembly.
“I demand answers from Vancouver. If we cannot reach an agreeable resolution, we’re prepared for state war p>
Jasmine’s face appeared on the screen, composed yet fiercely defiant. She laughed sharply.
“Mr. Hernandez stormed into our city, waving five million dollars and demanding half of our new medicine stock-worth five billion p>
“We shut him down, of course. What does he think we are? Fools? Pushovers p>
Tommy glared. “Negotiation is standard procedure. Violence isn’t p>
“Negotiation?” Jasmine sneered.
“He threatened war if we refused. So, fine, we accept his challenge. You expect kindness towards someone who waves Chicago’s power around like a sword p>
“You arrogant, ruthless child!” Tommy exploded. He turned to the council, eyes blazing.
“Chicago Lords formally declare war on Vancouver p>
Jasmine’s smile was deadly cold. “Vancouver gladly accepts. Perhaps now everyone will realize we’re not easy prey-even if we’re smaller p>
The State Minister sighed deeply, mediating the tension. “Very well. Let’s hear from other states.” Silence stretched heavily before Alfred Kingston spoke firmly. “Los Angeles stands with Vancouver.” Kelly Kingston’s voice followed, equally resolute. “Vermont backs Vancouver in this war p>
The other states cast their votes and chose to stay neutral. They remained silent, claiming this private war was none of their business.
Tommy Jones’s face fell in disbelief. Until now, Chicago Lords only needed to utter a demand, and Vancouver folded.
But this year, resistance rose defiantly.
If war erupted, Chicago’s reign could shatter.
The State Minister declared decisively, “Then it’s Chicago versus Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Vermont. No other states will intervene. Is this agreed p>
Jasmine, Alfred, and Kelly replied simultaneously, their voices united and firm. “Agreed p>
Tommy Jones wiped his brow, sweat dripping steadily onto the polished table.
His nerves twisted, raw and exposed. This wasn’t going to be a fair fight—it would be a slaughter.
Three states converging on Chicago would leave nothing but ashes.
His voice, thin and strained, broke the heavy silence. “Look, the new king barely warmed his throne. You
anto start a war now? It’ll wreck
economy. War solves nothing p>
The minister snorted, his lips twisting into a contemptuous sneer.
“The king himself sanctioned this. He figures a week, maybe less. Stability isn’t at stake here—just your pride p>
Tommy clenched his fists, words dying bitterly on his tongue.
The minister’s casual disdain hit harder than any blow. He knew then-it was decided. Chicago was already marked for defeat.
“Wait!” Tommy slammed his hand down, desperation flickering in his eyes.
“Then let it be knights. Our best against Vancouver’s finest. Winner takes everything. No armies, no slaughter just a fair fight p>
Jasmine’s voice sliced through the room, cold and cutting. “No deal. A full-scale war is what we agreed to p>
Tension simmered dangerously. An hour passed, tense exchanges growing heated, yet nowhere near resolution.
The minister, weary from the stalemate, finally took control.
“Clearly, neither of you can compromise,” he declared sharply.
“Forget the state war. Settle this like knights. A duel-mano a mano-to answer for the mess Zane Hernandez started p>
His eyes locked onto Tommy, sharp as steel.
“If Chicago’s knight wins, Vancouver hands over half its share of the new medicine. Deal p>
Tommy exhaled hard, clinging to the lifeline. Anything was better than all-out ruin.
“Deal,” he said, voice tight with urgency.
Jasmine’s sigh cut the air, but her tone hit like a blade.
“Fine. But when your knight falls, Chicago throws its gates open. Our medicine flows in-tax-free, regulation- free. No excuses p>
The minister eyed Tommy expectantly. “Do you accept Vancouver’s terms p>
Tommy nodded firmly. “Chicago accepts p>
“Vancouver accepts,” Jasmine replied, her voice smooth but edged with menace.
“Then it’s decided,” announced the minister. “In exactly one week, your knights meet on the field. Make your preparations p>
Within minutes, the news blazed across both states like wildfire.
A thrilling excitement consumed the public, spreading into every street, every tavern.
The top ten knights from both sides were summoned urgently, the intensity building day by day.
When the week finally passed, Madison Hall trembled with energy.
Thousands lined up, eager faces pressed together, their voices a rolling thunder of anticipation. The Chicago Lords had made sure word spread far and wide.
Spectators, aspiring knights, and students from royal academies poured in, some arriving days in advance, desperate for a glimpse of glory.
Duelists practiced in side rings, blades flashing, drawing roars of appreciation from the growing crowd.
Companies showcased their finest warriors, each eager to prove superiority before the main event.
Amid the chaos, Alex and Kelly Kingston arrived early, slipping quietly into the elite seats mere steps from the arena. Alex settled
himself, calm and composed
despite the frenzied scene.
“Alex? What are you doing here p>
The voice was unmistakable, sharp and demanding. Alex turned slowly, meeting the startled gaze of Clara
and Charles.
“Funny,” Alex drawled, his voice calm but cold, eyes narrowing.
“I was just about to ask-why can’t you just pretend you didn’t see me and keep walking? Did you really have to show up just to throw shade again? Aren’t you tired? Because I already am p>