Chapter 280 - Two Hundred And Eighty: A Glimmer Of Hope (1/2)

The third point of view:

The pressure in the air was so obvious that even the dead could feel it. Both parties stared at each other with a cold-blooded stare.

Just like a video game, Sakuzi's side was determined not to let the enemy penetrate their fortress while Eden's men were determined to invade this fortress by all means possible.

Each side had their guns loaded and aimed at one another. Quite a pity there wasn't a producer around to capture this stunning scene, it was like a clip taken out from an action movie - the film would have been a blockbuster.

”Put your guns down,” Eden ordered his men as soon as he came down from the car, ”We're not here to start a war but to end an impending one,”

His men created a path which he followed to reach the front, standing in front of the giant who looked like he would snap him into two.

”I need to meet Sakuzi, I believe he has my cousin for reasons best known to him. I think there might be room for negotiations,” he said to Emerald who didn't respond.

He went on anyway, ”We're not here to start a war so you should order your men down too - for a start,”

Emerald lifted his hand, eyes still trained on Eden and his men as his own men lowered their weapon.

Eden gave him a warm smile as soon as he saw that, they were in for negotiations then.

”Open the gate! ”Emerald commanded.

Immediately, the gate was opened allowing Eden and his entourage to drive into the courtyard.

”Where is he?” Eden questioned.

”If you want to see Sakuzi, you have to come in alone,”

”Like hell,” Eden refused, ”I'm not going into the lion's den unprepared. Look around pal, you guys have the advantage here-what could we possibly do?” he pointed out at the fact that their men were numerous plus the advantage of playing host - they knew here like the back of their hands unlike them.

Emerald wrinkled his nose, ”Just one person,” he added, ”Without a weapon,”

”That is bullshit -”

His shadow guard was about to protest on the partiality however Eden motioned him to quiet down.

”You can go ahead,” Eden submitted his weapon and out of the corners of his eyes, signaled his shadow guard to do the same.

Though fuming, the guard had no choice but to bury the grievance in his heart as his weapon was confiscated and they searched him thoroughly.

”You can go in,” Emerald made a sign for one of his men to lead them to Sakuzi.

Eden and his shadow guard were then led into the house. Along the way, he observed their surroundings and possible escape routes. To be frank, Eden had no idea what he was doing, all he knew was that he had to make retribution for his sins.

”Here,” They led them into the living room where Sakuzi was awaiting him.

”What a pleasurable visit, what brings you to my humble home?” Sakuzi acted the role of a humble host.

Eden had a smile on his lips as he shook hands with Sakuzi, the man was a pretty good pretender.

”You should already know why I'm here,” Eden went straight to the point, ”Release Niklaus,”

Sakuzi threw his head back and laughed, then he gave a sign with his hand for Niklaus to be brought over.

”How did you know to come so quickly?” Sakuzi asked him.

”Niklaus might not be the family head anymore but that doesn't mean he could be easily kidnapped without notice,”

”Kidnapped?” Sakuzi laughed then murmured beneath his breath, ”Reina, that ignorant girl,” He already figured out it was her doing.

The men sent out to get Niklaus returned. Niklaus' hands were bound from behind and had a black eye plus other wounds and bruises - he was quite a sight.

”Niklaus,” Eden shot up to his feet, heart arching at the sight of his cousin. Though both hated each other, blood was thicker than water. He would rather beat Niklaus up than let an outsider do so.

Eden moved to receive Niklaus but Sakuzi's men blocked him, that action angered him.

”Let him go this instant!” he fumed, glaring at Sakuzi.

”You see that's not possible,” Sakuzi told him smugly, ”Niklaus is not leaving here without losing a part of his body,”

”You can try but that would happen over my dead body,” sneered Eden, ”Aren't you afraid of going to war with the Sakuzi Clan? You know we're evenly matched,”

”I wouldn't have started this if I was afraid of that. I'm all prepared and ready to go to war if that means he pays for the death of Maxwell,” Sakuzi was determined.

”Niklaus is not responsible for that,” Eden told him but the man misunderstood him.

”Of course, you're going to support him as a family - ”

”I'm the one responsible for Maxwell's death,” He finally confessed.