Chapter 23

Even now, he was defending Jona. Jona felt it wasn't out of sincerity. It was because of a thirst for appreciation. Because the word 'sincere' was too pure to be associated with bloodthirsty mafia.

Jona raised his hand. "Stop fighting, there's no dispute in this room,"he commanded. "Ahmad is right, i believe i owe you all an explanation. Sorry for keeping you all waiting in confusion for almost 30 minutes,"Jona looked around, observing the curious stares ingrained in every alliance leader's eyes.

"The Yones siblings resigned today, for personal reasons that i cannot disclose to any of you."

"Is there a disaster, Sir?"Giovanni Hosain, another alliance leader, asked. He controlled prostitution and thugs in the African region.

"Just personal reasons,"Jona emphasized. "I won't allow anyone to inquire about them because whatever happens, the personal secrets of alliance members cannot be divulged." Jona could see Ahmad grimacing afterwards. He was a very curious man, always finding ways to satisfy his curiosity. Because it would torture him when the questions lingering in his mind remained unanswered.

"Secondly, about the gunshot earlier. There was a mole and it has been eliminated. No need to worry." Here, 'mole' means infiltrator. A connotation commonly used in many organizations out there. If not a spy, it means an unknown person who deliberately intrudes. This time, the second meaning of 'mole' was used.

"In this mansion, which is inhabited by 1000 alliance members, a mole infiltrated?"Ahmad chuckled dryly. "Doesn't that seem ridiculous?"

"Can't you shut your damn mouth and stop talking!? My ears hurt from hearing your endless foul arguments!"Berico rose this time, slamming the table with his strong hand.

"Then i suggest next time you bring earplugs for your oversized ears so you don't have to burn your heart hearing someone merely asking a question, Elephant,"Ahmad retorted, his emotions starting to escalate this time.

"What!? Repeat what you just said!"

"Oh, for heaven's sake, both of you stop fighting. The air is getting stuffy,"Giovani intervened once again. With a long, heavy sigh. The tense atmosphere seemed to make him sweat. The top button of his suit jacket was undone, letting air into his clothes.

"I'm not talking to you because of that, so shut your mouth, Hosain! I'm talking to this brainless Elephant!"Ahmad's anger escalated.

"Damn it! Are you trying to pick a fight!?"

"I wouldn't start it if you hadn't started it first!"

The heat was intensifying in the room. Culminating in two men now brandishing verbal knives at each other. The anger of the two camps was rising. Creating sparks of unwanted conflict, which unintentionally began to echo loudly. The heat was escalating. The looks of hatred were circulating. And the tension was intensifying, ending in an unwanted deadlock. Ahmad Amdalla suddenly reached for his gun from his pocket, as did Berico Aven almost simultaneously.

Their right hands each acted the same. Of course, they were here to protect their bosses. This was their time to act. However, the four raised guns reflexively raised the flags of conflict, causing everyone in the room to raise their guns as well. Preparing for any potential outbreak of violence. Devan was one of the quickest to grab his gun and aimed it cautiously beside Jona.

"Stop both of you, you're acting like children." Vanda Maulet, the only female alliance leader besides Paula, scolded.

"You're the one pointing your gun, old hag!"Ahmad retorted.

"That's because you two started the dispute first!"Vanda slammed the table in frustration.

"In that case, you're just as involved in this dispute! Don't pretend to be righteous!"

Dizziness surged in Jona's mind. It hadn't even been an hour since Jona regained consciousness, from Nathan back to himself. And now he had to deal with such a disturbingly complex situation. His feet tapped on the floor, his hands clenched tightly. His patience was almost depleted, Jona had to restrain himself as much as possible from shooting everyone in front of him now. And finally, when Berico was ready.

"SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU, LOWER YOUR GUNS, AND SIT DOWN!"the chairman's shout, along with the ammunition launched towards the ceiling, instantly silenced the entire room, making it tranquil. Even Ahmad and Berico were stunned. Everyone was enveloped in an instant stiffness and awkwardness. This dispute seemed to have ignited their boss's emotions far more than they intended and slowly, with silent steps, everyone returned to their seats and sat in silence. All weapons were lowered, all disputes were stopped. Everyone chose to be silent. To be quiet and Jona looked at them all, casting a threatening gaze.

"I won't allow any disputes in my alliance meetings,"Jona threatened, condemning with absolute authority. "And if anyone disagrees, step forward now and face me!"

No one rose, no one budged. Not even Berico or Ahmad, who were at the center of this dispute. Although their anger still burned, raging in their hearts, fighting with Jonathan Austin was a foolishness they could not afford. Playing with death. Not even Ahmad's courage was big enough for such an act. The calm air lingered for a few more seconds without a sound. Until finally, Jona spoke again.

"Initially, i wanted to continue our alliance meeting, but after seeing the non-conducive conditions, not much different from the dispute of wild thugs, i think it's very unwise to continue,"Jona spoke. With a sarcastic tone implied in his voice. Full of condemnation. Full of firmness.

"Therefore, today's meeting will be adjourned."

Instantly, everyone froze stiff. This was the first time in alliance history that a meeting had been canceled. That meant, as bad as it was, Jona's anger had reached its peak.

"I hope something like this won't happen again,"Jona's words were like the sharp hiss of a snake ready to devour its prey. "Now, disperse."

The footsteps of alliance members had ceased to echo in the air for several minutes now. Jona's expulsion threat successfully made everyone leave and depart from Jona's presence. Leaving behind the empty meeting hall. Leaving behind the void. Ending the turmoil. Resolving the dispute. From outside, there were murmurs of more footsteps. The footsteps of members bringing all their subordinates home. One thousand people left the Austin mansion. Riding their jeeps and sedans, cutting through the city and returning to their respective headquarters.

But even though every alliance had left the room, Jona remained still. His hand on the table, his gaze not leaving the two open doors. The silence permeated. He just sat there, without a word. Devan behind him also stood without comment. Without any oddity on his scarred face. Jona enjoyed the tranquility. When a turmoil subsided, his employer usually sat quietly in his chair, trying to enjoy the silence that he could once again savor and Devan waited there, also in perfect silence.

Unfortunately, a ring from his phone managed to break the comfortable silence.

"Excuse me, Sir,"Devan answered his phone. From his seat, Jona couldn't hear whose voice was on the other end of Devan's call. The man only said,"Yes."

"Alright."

"I'll convey it,"and finally.

"Yes, goodbye,"Jona turned when Devan approached him, right after ending the call.

"Sorry to disturb you, Sir,"Devan bowed and whispered by Jona's ear. "Mr. Bov wants to contact you."

Bov Austin. The only man in the entire universe who could meet Jona without needing approval. The only man alive who couldn't be opposed by Jonathan Austin. The only person in the world where when Jona spoke to him, no one was allowed to listen, not even Devan. The only man Jona hated the most throughout his life.

Just uttering his name always made Jona clench his fists. His name was like a curse. The most disgraceful curse in the world. Jona never wanted to call those three letters. For him, it was no different from reciting a spell. A spell that always reminded Jona of... his dark past.

His father, Bov Austin, demanded a meeting via a virtual meeting. Namely, the Zoom application. Devan always prepared it for Jona, setting up the camera, providing a widescreen, and attending to other minor matters. The mouse could only land in Jona's hand when everything was ready and before Jona did so, Devan had to leave the auditorium. Leaving him at least a 15-meter radius, and not come back until Jona rang the bell to call him.