In the hospital ward, Jace was chatting with Tye, who had regained his consciousness after being in a coma for a full day.
Tye was lying weakly on the bed, and he sheepishly asked, “What made you come all the way from Yorksland, Mr. Rivera?”
Jace gave him a smile and said, “Mateo is my only son. I cannot stay unaffected, knowing he is in trouble. That is why I decided to make a trip here.” “I am so ashamed to have failed you. I thought the Smiths would at least accord me some respect as the former deputy governor of the South and do me that favor. I did not expect Nathan would be so arrogant as to reject me outright!” Tye was blushing in embarrassment when he apologized to Jace.
“He nearly caused me a heart attack! Now that I have ended up in the hospital, I am afraid I cannot assist you in this matter anymore,” he added.
Jace smiled understanding^ and said, “We all need good resources to back us up in a negotiation. You were there to reason with Nathan without anyone to back you up. So it is not surprising that he brushed you off!”
He continued, “You don't have to worry, though. I came with two of my sworn brothers and more than three hundred elites from Young Knives. We will be your powerful backing in Channing. You can ask Nathan out for another round of talks tomorrow. If he is obliging, then all is good. If he maintains his stand, he can forget about seeing the next sunrise!”
Tye was humiliated by Nathan and bore deep grudges against him. When he heard Jace's plan, his eyes lit up in joy, and he could not wait to get his hands on Nathan.
He immediately agreed and said, “Since you have everything planned out, Mr. Rivera, I shall go along with it. I will arrange for a meet-up with Nathan tomorrow. It would be best if he is agreeable tomorrow. Otherwise, I shall leave him to you, and you can do as you deem fit.”
That very night, Tye sent one of his men to Nathan's house and tried to ask him out for the negotiation.
“Mr. Cross, I am here on instruction by Mr. Carlson. He wants to have a talk with you again tomorrow. He will be waiting for you at noon at—”
Before the messenger could finish his sentence, Nathan cut him off and said, “Who is he to ask for a meet-up with me? I have no interest in that. Get your *ss back and tell him to stop bugging me!”
The messenger stood rooted to the spot, stunned by Nathan's rebuff.
Colin stepped up and repeated the order. “Mr. Cross says scram!”
The messenger resignedly left, knowing there was no talking back to them.
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