Chapter 169 Negotiating Alone
The bullet veered slightly off target, piercing the side of the man’s throat.
The man clutched his neck and collapsed to the deck, convulsing.
Grace exhaled sharply, rushed forward, and pulled Lily into her arms. "Let's go!"
Lily wrapped her arms around Grace's neck, clinging tightly.
Grace carried Lily to a safe spot and took cover.
The moment Lily saw Grace, tears of relief streamed down her face. "Grace... Grace..."
She threw herself into Grace's embrace, trembling with fear.
The ship was crawling with dangerous men.
The group of escapees had been scattered.
Lily had watched helplessly as several people were caught again. She'd tried to hide, but they'd caught her anyway. Just when despair had set in... Grace had saved her again!
Grace said softly, "Don't worry. I'll protect you."
She couldn't abandon such a young girl to her fate.
Grace asked, "Where's the decoder?"
Lily's expression darkened, her face crumpling. "Someone... someone took it..."
"Who took it?"
Lily replied, "The man who grabbed me just now..."
Lily had initially clutched the decoder protectively against her chest, but the man had beaten her mercilessly to steal it from her.
Because of this, Lily was covered in injuries—bruises marking her face and body.
Grace frowned with frustration.
Lily said guiltily, "Grace, I'm sorry. I didn't protect what you gave me..."
"It's okay. I'm just glad you're safe."
One decoder certainly wasn't worth more than a human life.
Lily said, "But... without the decoder, you can't remove your collar."
Grace held her close. "It's alright, Lily. Don't be afraid..."
Suddenly, urgent footsteps echoed nearby.
"They're over here!"
Grace pulled Lily to her feet.
Looking up, she spotted a small surveillance camera mounted in the corner above them.
The entire ship was under tight surveillance.
No wonder...
These people had found their hiding spot so quickly!
Grace was about to raise her weapon when five men surrounded them, each pointing a gun at her.
Grace's finger tightened on the trigger. She wasn't sure if her bullets could be faster than five guns—fast enough to take out all five before they fired.
"Drop your weapon!"
The lead man barked, "Our leader wants to see you!"
Grace studied the five black gun barrels aimed at her, then slowly—
She lowered her weapon.
...
Outside the captain's cabin.
Alexander came to a stop.
His men silently withdrew.
Alexander reached out and quietly pushed the door open.
Inside, Dietrich sat on a sofa with two bodyguards flanking him.
Alexander entered and shut the door behind him.
When Dietrich saw him, a smile played at the corners of his mouth. He leaned back casually. "I didn't think you'd actually have the guts to come alone."
Alexander's expression remained impassive. He walked over to face Dietrich, glancing at him. "Aren't you going to ask me to sit?"
Dietrich replied, "Of course! You're an old friend. It's been ages—naturally I want to catch up properly!"
Alexander sat across from him. "I'm here to discuss business. Where's the person I want?"
Dietrich said, "Don't worry. I've prepared exactly what you're looking for."
A monitor sat on the coffee table.
Dietrich switched it on. The screen flickered with static, then displayed a clear image.
Alexander glanced at it.
On screen, the camera showed an empty room. Soon, several men threw Grace and a small girl onto a bed.
Alexander noticed the collar around her neck. Beyond that, the sparse room gave no clues to her location.
It looked like a small cabin.
The monitor clicked off.
Alexander shifted his gaze back to Dietrich, asking coldly, "What are your terms for releasing her?"
Dietrich replied, "No need to rush. Let's discuss conditions."
Alexander asked, "What’s your price?"
Dietrich said, "Easy there! This is no ordinary transaction. What do you think this woman is worth, Mr. Hayes?"
Alexander said, "Are we playing a guessing game here?"
It seemed Dietrich was being greedy, afraid to name his price too hastily. He was worried about misjudging this woman's value to Alexander—afraid of asking for too little. But he couldn't gauge how much Alexander would pay for her.
Dietrich asked, "Did you bring cash?"
Alexander replied, "I did."
Dietrich asked greedily, "How much did you bring?"
Alexander said, "However much you want, that's what I can give you."
Dietrich snorted coldly upon hearing this. "I don't want promises! However much I want, you'll give me? If I demanded your entire fortune, would you hand it over?"
Alexander said, "If you dare ask for it, I can afford to pay it."
Dietrich was momentarily stunned.
This man wasn't hiding how much this woman meant to him.
But on second thought...
This man had risked his life, coming alone to negotiate. This woman must be incredibly important to him.
Dietrich named his price: "I want ten billion."
Alexander said, "Still making outrageous demands, I see."
Dietrich replied, "What? You'll risk your own life for this woman, but you won't part with ten billion?"
Alexander raised an eyebrow. "It's not that I won't part with it—I don't have ten billion in cash."
Ten billion in cash couldn't be withdrawn in just two nights.
Given the rushed timeline, he'd only managed to bring two billion in cash.
Dietrich said, "I didn't arrange this meeting to haggle with you!"
Alexander countered, "Am I haggling? You know ten billion is just numbers to me. But how would I ever transfer that money to you? So I'll ask my earlier question again—I dare to give it, but do you dare take it?"
Dietrich fell silent.
Alexander continued, "You're a federal fugitive. Every law enforcement agency has been deployed. I'm not threatening you—I want to make this deal too. The question is, how would you collect that money?"
Dietrich said, "You..."
Alexander said, "You know cash can't be withdrawn easily. In two days, I only managed to prepare two billion."
Dietrich asked, "Where's all that cash?"
Alexander replied, "On the armed cruiser behind me."
He continued calmly, "If you're willing to make this trade, you come aboard with your people to collect it."
Dietrich laughed coldly. "If I board your ship, would you really let me leave?"