Chapter 188: Bargaining Chips for Cooperation

Inside Azure Bay.

Cedric was having drinks with Theodore.

The table was laden with fine dishes, with attendants standing by to serve.

Cedric raised his glass with a smile.

"Theodore, you've come such a long way. I appreciate it. Terry's death—it breaks my heart too."

"Don't worry. As long as you help me take care of James, those three border crossings I promised you? I'm a man of my word."

Theodore wore a dark, fitted outfit, a faint scar marking his face, making him look menacing.

He lifted his glass and took a sip.

"Prince Cedric, you can count on me. Terry and I go way back. The way he died—I have to settle that score."

"I'll bring you James's head myself."

"Excellent! With your word, I can rest easy."

Cedric laughed heartily.

Inside, though, he was sneering.

'Way back,' my ass.

Once Theodore killed James, he'd turn around and eliminate Theodore too. The border crossings? Naturally, that promise would evaporate.

A Solarian businessman thought he could bargain with him? Pathetic.

Both men harbored their own schemes as they drank a few more rounds.

Cedric probed indirectly, asking when Theodore planned to make his move.

Theodore deflected, saying he'd just arrived in Pinecrest City and needed a couple days to rest.

Better to scope out James's situation first. Play it safe.

Cedric didn't push. He smiled and said there was no rush—whenever Theodore was ready.

Internally, he was dying for Theodore and James to tear each other apart.

Halfway through their drinking, a subordinate entered from outside.

He walked over to Theodore, whispered something, and handed him an envelope.

Theodore took it but didn't open it in front of Cedric.

He casually set it on the chair beside him and continued drinking as if nothing had happened.

After another half hour or so, Cedric said he had other business and excused himself.

Once Cedric left, Theodore returned to his room and closed the door.

He tore open the envelope and dumped out the contents.

First came transaction records from that arms deal eight years ago, along with transfer receipts.

Then death certificates for two of his men.

Theodore's gaze went cold.

He'd been keeping score for eight years.

If Terry hadn't had Cedric backing him, Theodore would've made his move long ago.

At the bottom, a slip of paper fell out.

A single line was written on it: 'Offshore passage at Silvermoon City—three years free access. In exchange, take your people and leave Pinecrest City. Stay out of this.'

No signature.

Theodore held the note, his fingers tightening slightly.

The maritime passage at Silvermoon City.

With that route, his shipments by sea would cut travel time in half.

He could bypass border inspections entirely. Profits would double.

Far more valuable than the three crappy border crossings Cedric had promised.

He paced the room twice.

Helping Cedric kill James meant high risk, and the payoff wasn't even guaranteed.

He knew exactly what kind of man Cedric was—disposing of allies once they'd served their purpose was standard practice.

On the other hand, working with James meant securing real, tangible access to that passage.

And he could still settle the score for Terry from back then.

No matter how he calculated it, the second option was the clear winner.

Theodore stopped pacing and called out.

A subordinate entered.

"Mr. Anderson."

"Send word to whoever delivered this. Ten o'clock tonight, I'll be waiting at Azure Bay."

"Tell James to come alone."

"Yes, sir."

The subordinate left to make arrangements.

Theodore sat back down, picked up the note, and studied it again.

James.

Interesting.

The man had dug up records from eight years ago and was willing to offer a maritime passage as leverage.

Far more straightforward than Cedric, who only dealt in empty promises.

That afternoon, word reached the villa.

Kevin came in to update James.

"Mr. Anderson, we got a reply from Theodore."

"Tonight at ten, Azure Bay. He wants you to come alone."

Iron Wolf happened to be there and immediately protested.

"No way! You can't go alone!"

"Theodore's ruthless. What if it's an ambush?"

"Let me bring a few guys. We'll stay hidden nearby in case anything goes wrong."

"Not necessary."

James shook his head.

"If he wanted to attack, he wouldn't meet at the docks."

"He's here to do business, not pick a fight."

"But—"

"It's fine."

James cut him off.

"I know what I'm doing. You two stay here."

Iron Wolf wanted to argue further, but Kevin tugged his sleeve.

They both knew that once James made up his mind, there was no changing it.

Nine-thirty that night.

James changed into black clothes, tucked a short blade into his waistband, and headed out alone.

He drove an inconspicuous sedan toward Azure Bay.

The docks had been abandoned for years—once a small cargo port.

After the waterway silted up, it fell into disuse.

The wind was fierce tonight, sweeping off the river with a fishy tang that stung the face.

James parked on the roadside and walked toward the interior of the docks.

As he walked, he mulled things over.

Theodore had spent years operating on the border. He was all about tangible benefits.

Empty promises wouldn't work—you had to offer real value.

The maritime passage was valuable, sure, but in exchange for neutralizing a Solarian force and throwing a wrench in Cedric's plans? Worth it.

Plus, having that route would make moving goods south much easier in the future.

Not a bad deal.

He'd also considered whether Theodore might set a trap.

After thinking it through, he doubted it.

Theodore hadn't brought many men. Even if things turned violent, James could either hold his own or escape.

More importantly, Theodore was smart.

Smart people didn't make losing bets.

In the distance, a figure stood by the shore, back turned.

Tall, solidly built.

Theodore.

Just as promised—alone.

James approached, stopping a few paces away.

"I'm here."

Theodore turned, sizing James up.

"You've got guts. Actually came alone."

"So did you."

James replied.

The wind whipped their clothes loudly.

Theodore pulled the note from his pocket and waved it.

"I saw what you sent. Solid offer."

He paused, then continued.

"But I came all this way just to get passage rights and go back to Solaria empty-handed?"

"My people will say I was scared of you. Hard to explain that."

James met his gaze.

"What do you want?"

"Simple."

Theodore said.

"I'll stay out of your business and take my people home."

"But the Tovar family's remaining assets and accounts—those are mine."

"Terry screwed me out of money. I'm getting it back one way or another."

James smiled faintly.

The Tovar family's holdings? He couldn't care less.

"Done. Tomorrow I'll have someone send you a full inventory of the Tovar family's assets."

"You can take over whenever you're ready."

Theodore looked mildly surprised.

He'd expected James to haggle. Didn't anticipate such a quick agreement.

"Straightforward."

Theodore extended his hand.

"One more condition. I'll publicly announce I'm pulling out of Pinecrest City and staying out of your fight with Cedric."

"But you can't tell anyone we met, and you can't mention the passage deal."

"Agreed."

James reached out and shook his hand.

Both had rough palms. Both gripped firmly.

They released quickly.

"Also."

Theodore added.

"I'll handle Cedric on my end. Three days from now, I'll make a public statement."

"I'll say the Tovar family mess was Terry's own doing—nothing to do with you."