CHAPTER 288: A DEBT PAID IN FIRE

When Max had asked for the phone, his entire demeanor shifted in an instant. Just moments ago, he’d appeared completely swallowed up by his emotions, grief clinging to him like a heavy fog.

He had allowed all the memories of Abby to flood his mind, every good moment, every smile she had given him. He remembered the little things she used to do, the warmth she brought into his life. But just as easily as those memories surfaced, they flipped into something else entirely. His mind zeroed in on the one person responsible. The one who had created this situation, who had brought all of this crashing down.

"This is your phone," Aron said, pulling it out from his jacket. The device was sleek and pristine, without a single scratch or blemish on it. At first glance, it didn’t even look like the same phone Max had been using before.

"This is just one of the many phones you have," Aron explained. "The last one was destroyed during the middle of your fight, but don’t worry. All of the information has already been passed on from the old device to this one."

He handed the phone over, but continued speaking, anticipating the flood of questions Max might have.

"We have a private server that backs everything up automatically the moment it connects to the internet," Aron continued. "And this model also has satellite access, so you can get online practically anywhere. Even if you’re in a remote corner of the world, your connection won’t be interrupted."

He paused for a moment, then added, "On top of that, there’s specialized software that clones the information across every new device you receive. So, Max, nothing has been lost. It’s all there."

It was as if Aron could read his mind, answering each unspoken concern before it could form into words.

But before Max could say anything, Wolf stepped forward, his brow furrowed.

"Wait, Max... What are you planning to do with that phone?" Wolf asked cautiously. "Right now, you’re probably filled with emotions. Trust me, I’ve been in situations like this before. You should really sleep on it."

He didn’t want to say it aloud, but deep down, Wolf knew the truth: taking a day wouldn’t change anything. Abby was already gone.

"Wolf..." Max said, his voice steady, though a storm brewed behind his eyes. "Thanks for the heads-up. Really. But I’ve been in these kinds of situations many times before. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that even if I waited a day, a week, a month, or a year... the decision I’ve made in this moment, it’s not going to change."

He wasn’t speaking out of anger. His tone was calm, but resolute. Experience had taught him this, hardened him. He had suffered losses before, attacks that carved deep into the foundations of everything he cared about. And every time, he responded the same way.

That cold resolve was what had built the White Tiger Group’s reputation. It was what had earned them the prestige they carried to this day.

Max’s fingers hovered over the screen of his new phone. Dozens of missed calls blinked back at him. Some were from Cindy. Others were from Warma. And quite a few had come from Wolf.

But the ones he had expected most, the ones that felt inevitable, were from the Rejected Corps members.

They were waiting.

And Max already knew what he had to do.

Even with Wolf and Aron still in the room, standing right there beside him, Max didn’t hesitate. He hit the call button and brought the phone up to his ear.

The dial tone rang out, once, twice, and then again.

’Is he going to pick up?’ Max thought as his grip on the phone tightened. ’After everything he’s done? Maybe he’s too much of a coward to even talk to me. But no... he wouldn’t be afraid of a kid. If anything, if he wants to salvage even a shred of his reputation, he needs to answer.’

And then, as expected, the ringing stopped.

"Well, well, well... look who finally decided to call," came a voice on the other end.

Chrono.

"Max. After all this time, I finally have your attention. Though I must say, I had to go pretty far just to get it," Chrono continued, his tone smug and unrepentant. "I assume you’ve heard what happened by now, right? I figured after something like that, you might’ve run off to another city... maybe even left the country."

There was a short chuckle on the other end, sharp and mocking, that made Max’s jaw clench. His knuckles turned white around the phone. If he gripped it any harder, he would’ve shattered it in his own hand.

"Max... this is what happens when you join a gang," Chrono went on. "It’s not the easy life you thought it was. I don’t even know if you actually betrayed us or not. But you didn’t answer when I needed you. You talked back. You disrespected me. You dishonored the name of the Rejected Corps."

His voice turned cold.

"And because of that, I did what I had to do. As of today, you are no longer a member of the Rejected Corps."

There was a pause.

Then Max spoke.

"Hey," he said, his voice low but sharp. "Cut the theatrics, Chrono. Do you just love the sound of your own voice that much? Why don’t you shut the fuck up for a second?"

The sudden bite in Max’s words made Chrono fall silent.

He hadn’t expected that. Not from Max. Not after what had just happened. He had anticipated fear, maybe even an apology, but this?

"You think I ever gave a damn about being in your pathetic little gang?" Max continued. His tone was razor-sharp now, brimming with fury. "I promise you this."

He took a breath, every word that followed carved out of steel.

"Because of what you did... there won’t be a Rejected Corps left to remember. No one will speak your name, and if they do, it’ll be with pity. You’ll be forgotten, erased."

"And for what you did to Abby..."

Max’s eyes darkened, his voice dropping into something far more dangerous.

"I’m going to show you exactly what happens when you mess with the people I care about."

"You crossed the wrong person. And I don’t just kill people, Chrono, I repay my debts in full... and then some."

Before Chrono could respond, before he could utter another smug word, Max ended the call.

The screen went black.

The room fell into silence.

And then, Max finally spoke again, his voice cold and certain.

"We have a lot of work to do, Aron," he said. "I meant what I said."