CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 25: AVENGING THE GRUDGE!

"They’ve gone too far!" Nathan’s words trembled with rage, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles were white, his entire body shaking from the control he was exerting to keep himself from acting.

Their water bottles had been flying off the shelves the minute a box appeared on the market, it was sold. Within less than thirty minutes, more than a hundred boxes were taken. They have 200 boxes altogether, and it seemed they would sell out before noon.

But success in Ironhold’s black market never went unnoticed for long.

And this time, it found its way to the worst possible ears.

Charles Reed, the boss of the Axe Gang, had been a butcher in Ironhold City. When the famine struck, all the wells ran dry except his well which stubbornly continued to provide water. It was bitter, metallic, hardly drinkable, but in a drought, taste was the last of anyone’s concern.

The government, hearing of the news, attempted to confiscate his well. But Charles had an ace up his sleeve in the person of his older brother, Simon Reed, a low-ranking government official. Every month, a quiet sum of gold was exchanged, and the issue disappeared from official records.

In return, Charles was allowed to monopolize the black market’s water trade, selling his bitter water at high prices without interference.

This morning, though, he had seen his stall peculiarly devoid of customers.

At first he was confused were all the people of Ironhold die due to famine or what??

A few inquiries at the market led him the truth, a bunch of young men were selling cleaner and fresher water than his, and at a cheaper rate.

He was furious.

Someone dared to sell water in his turf they are not simply keeping him in their eyes.

The gang boss who used to be a butcher was very angry.

Just as Nathan and his boys were preparing to leave after selling today’s share of water bottles but before they could leave Charles and his hooligans had rounded up nearly thirty men, cornering them in the open road.

They simply didn’t take the law and order of the Ironhold city in their eyes.

The attack came swiftly and viciously. They first wrecked the stall, took what water bottles they could to carry away, and made it abundantly clear that if Nathan’s crew tried selling again, they would be beaten every time.

————

Back at the Mr. Hartwell Compound

"Brother Alex, they’ve gone too far," Nathan growled, his jaw clenched in rage. "They can’t outdo us in honest trade, so they resorted to violence instead."

Tommy, one of the twins, was equally venomous. "We would have never stand down from a fight, even if they had double our numbers. But 30 men against five? We were overwhelmed even before we could lift a hand."

"We are simply not their match"

Alex’s eyebrow wrinkled. Mr. Hartwell had cautioned him that the black market had no rules and as long as money moved, the city turned a blind eye to everything. But this was simply too much.

He had thought even if in time of famine the peoples are lawless they should not disregard the local authorities in broad daylight.

"Nathan, are you injured?" Lucy’s voice was strained with concern as she came near, surveying his battered face.

Nathan shook his head. "I’m fine, Sister. Just a few bruises. We didn’t go down easyily we were fighting four or five at once. If we hadn’t resisted, we wouldn’t have been able to save the gold."

At that, he glanced at Tommy, Rory, and Sam. "Show it."

They reached into their garments, and from each produced small cloth pouches. Nathan pulled out one of his own, putting all five upon the table. When the bags were opened, the gray afternoon light flashed on stacks of shining coins.

"This is 1,200 taels," said Nathan. "If they had not stolen our remaining water bottles , we’d be facing much more than this."

Alex did the math in his head quickly 1,200 taels equaled about 60,000 grams of gold. At $7.80 per gram, that meant $500,000 nearly.

Water bottles are simply selling too well.

"I’m just relieved all of you are safe," Alex calming himself finally spoke . "Don’t worry, there will be other opportunities to make money later."

Still, this incident sharpened his understanding of the Ironhold black market’s true nature ruthless, predatory, and without law and order.

"See, Mr. Alex, I told you," said Miss Evelyn, her lovely eyes focusing on his. "The black market is not easy. Without power or support, it is nearly impossible to expand your business. The ones who survive here have connections. If you assist me in locating the bandits’ hideout, I will be your backing."

She had known Lucy for years and trust her eyes. Lucy’s persistent praise of Alex and coupled with his boast that he could find the Mangshan bandits made him a risk worth taking.

"It’s Miss Evelyn!" Nathan exclaimed, eyes wide with incredulity.

Only now they noticed Miss Evelyn with them.

Tommy, Rory, and Sam stared at each other, too amazed to talk.

Miss Evelyn was a legend in Ironhold City beautiful, gifted, and a noblewoman of uncommon beauty.

"As expected of Brother Alex," Nathan thought, "Even Miss Evelyn holds him in high regard."

In Ironhold, there had been innumerable noble sons after her, all being sent back with a single courtesy word of ’No’.

In comparison to them, Alex appeared to be on a different status altogether.

"Backing is too indefinite," Alex said indifferently. "Let me know precisely how you’ll assist."

The recollection of the Axe Gang destroying his stall continued to smolder in his heart.

"Easy," Miss Evelyn said. "The next time you are going out to sell water, I’ll dispatch thirty of my family’s servants obviously disguised to stand with you. With that number of people, the Axe Gang will not dare make a move."

Her family owned Ironhold’s largest textile business and commanded a large workforce. Many were strong, disciplined men. But to protect the family’s reputation, they would not appear openly as black-market dealings, though profitable, could stain a noble name.

"And if you wish to branch out into other trades," she went on, "my house will assist where it can. We have excellent relations with the city government and anything can be smoothed over."

Mr. Hartwell’s eyebrows went up. This was no simple talk. The Evelyn house was one of Ironhold’s big three Aristocrat houses their reach was long and deep.

Alex thought about it.

One think he have credit to Miss Evelyn was that she was certainly very smart.

Miss Evelyn hadn’t acted out of benevolence. Her family’s textile business had been disrupted by the three-year famine and their employees perishing, shipments looted, profits eroding.

Obviously, Clearing the Mangshan bandits would open up their routes again and restore business.

Two targets with one Stone.

"Miss Evelyn," Alex said, cradling his fists, "I’ll locate the bandits’ hideout. In two days, go to Lucy’s home, and I’ll inform you where they are hiding."

Nonetheless he agreed.

It was a good exchange.

Even if the government recovered the looted relief grain, it would not harm his water sales. And if the water crisis in Ironhold diminished, he could switch to other contemporary items the possibilities were limitless.

"I look forward to your good news, Mr. Alex," Miss Evelyn said with a lovely smile.

It was a risk, but one worth taking. If Alex could pull it off, the masses would be fed, the bandits disabled, and her family’s wealth restored.

"Brother Alex, can you actually find it?" Lucy asked quietly, drawing in closer. "The city’s sent spies before and failed. Some were murdered and left out in the open."

She had no idea why she was so concerned perhaps because Alex had rescued her father’s life or maybe something else.

Alex grinned. "What? Worried about me?"

"I—" Lucy’s face flushed bright red.

Mr. Hartwell smiled quietly, watching them with amusement.

"I agreed," Alex said suddenly, his eyes hardening as he turned to Miss Evelyn. "But I have one condition."

"Name it," she said, sensing the steel in his voice.

"Revenge waits for no one," Alex replied coldly. "I want those thirty servants with us in the black market and right now."

Nathan and the others lit up. They could already envision it — turning the tables on the Axe Gang out in the open.

"Brother Alex is fantastic!" Nathan smiled.

Miss Evelyn’s laughter was warm and sincere. "If every man in the empire possessed your bravery, how could the northern invaders bully us?"

Without delay, she called for an old servant and instructed him to round up thirty of her best men at the Hartwell compound. They came quickly and swiftly, strong and well-trained, their appearance alone was sufficient to attract glances.

Alex swept his hand in a gesture. "Nathan, come on."

His smile grew pointed.

"It’s time to play a game."