Jacob's leaving left them in silence. Richard looked at Klaus, implying doubt as to whether or not this plan could work.
Klaus remained calm. Someone's absence didn't make a significant change to the plan but it would be a different story if Terry also left. He was a vital part of winning the election, after all.
The gold-toothed man pursed his lips. In his mind, he was undecided whether to go or not. On one hand, he wanted to walk out like Jacob and not get involved in politics. But on the other hand, he agreed with Klaus. If the governor election was the right moment to stop Vincent.
Klaus could read Terry's mind through his face. There was still a chance for Klaus to keep him in the plan.
"Mr. Terry. Are you still making up your mind?" asked Klaus matter-of-factly.
Terry gave a look of uncertainty. "It's a good plan. I agree with you, but I also agree with Jacob. Giving the position of governor to a leader of a big guild–it just doesn't fit. People will think negatively."
"That won't happen," Richard chimed in. "Everything will be fine. We've put everything right."
Terry frowned. "Wait, hold. What do you mean by 'we'? Are you already made plans? I thought we came here to discuss this."
Alexa sighed as if she already knew it was going to happen. She wanted to give Terry an explanation, but before she opened her mouth, Terry raised a hand before her face, asking her not to speak.
At the same time, the guild master of the House of Blacksmith gave Klaus a deep stare, asking him for an explanation without a word escaping his mouth. Terry did not expect that Klaus would be in coalition with Richard behind him.
Klaus huffed. "Yeah, you're right and wrong. This plan was Mr. Richard's initiative. He came to me first, told me all his plans, and I agreed for the most part. But I suggested to keep the meeting on this plan."
Terry turned to Richard. "Then why is Klaus making this presentation?"
"Because you will trust him more than me."
Instantly, Terry fell silent.
What Richard had said was a fact. Like a broomstick, Klaus was the thread that tied dozens of sticks together. This alliance existed because of Elemental Gun, and it came from Klaus.
He was the one who gathered the three guild masters in one place. He made a deal, shared the profits, and came up with a brilliant idea. And above all, he managed to execute the plan well.
Jacob and Terry would trust Klaus more than Richard.
"Yeah, you're right. But that doesn't justify the two of you teaming up behind me and Jacob. Lucky he didn't hear this."
"Or are you mad that you weren't the first priority to find out about this from Klaus?" Alexa retorted.
Terry furrowed his brow. "What kind of nonsense is that? You think I'm a child?"
"Then why are you angry?" asked Alexa sharply.
"You—"
The way Alexa was gazing at Terry irritated him. He hissed and raised a squeezing hand, trying to refrain from being provoked and holding the words in his throat from coming out.
Alexa knew how she manipulated her interlocutors. She made Terry look like a child who was angry at not being asked to play with his friend first. Provoking people was one of her 100 skills.
Clap!
An applause echoed throughout the room as Klaus clapped his hands. The tension between Terry and Alexa tightened instantly. He knew that if he let them, it would create a weak link in their alliance.
"I don't think you need to continue your quarrel." Klaus gave Terry a sideways glance. "How about we listen to Mr. RIchard's plan first? We can review it together if something doesn't fit. Do you agree, Mr. Terry?"
Klaus gave Terry a warning look to stay calm. The gold-toothed man finally nodded his head, lowering his ego.
They all sat back down at the table. The atmosphere became quiet for a moment. Resentment was still written on Terry's face, but he was able to restrain himself.
"So, Mr. Terry. This is my plan."
Then, everyone opened their ears to Richard.
The white-haired man explained all his plans in detail. Starting from the campaign, allocation of funds, volunteers, and even providing a list of people who could potentially become deputy governors to advance to the election.
Terry nodded his head throughout listening to Richard. He pursed his lips several times or nodded whenever he agreed with him. Of course, Terry didn't swallow everything Richard said. There were some that he refuted and suggested replacing. However, overall he gave positive responses.
Meanwhile, Klaus and Alexa were silent. Their eyes met occasionally, as if talking through their gaze without having to say a word.
After about an hour of gathering in this room, their discussion finally came to an end. The last thing was to ask Terry whether he agreed to join or not.
"Are you going to join us?" asked Richard. His face looked calm, but the look in his eyes was hopeful.
Terry pursed his lips while stroking his chin. The man was still cautiously considering his decision despite hearing all the details of the plan. He was still not convinced for some reason. Something was holding him back.
And Klaus knew it. He could read it on Terry's face as clear as crystal.
"We've got all the details and changed a few things you don't like. What made you hesitate?" Klaus asked.
Terry sighed. "I don't know. It's just my gut feeling. It is effective, but too honest. What if our rivals use dirty tricks?"
Klaus chuckled. "You don't have to worry about that. We can definitely find a way out. There's no need to overthink what might not happen."
"That's right," Alexa chimed in. "Election regulations are very strict. They won't do anything stupid.
Richard remained silent. He was afraid that if he intervened they would fail to convince Terry Owen.
Inhaling through his teeth, Terry finally made up his mind.
"Okay. I agree to join this plan."
A smile bloomed on Richard's face instantly. So did Alexa and Klaus.
Klaus patted his thigh. "Alright. Then it's decided. We will send Richard Dickson as our candidate for governor."
The meeting was over and was a success even though Jacob Blake was not involved in the plan. Standing up simultaneously, they were going to leave.
"Let's execute this plan."
"I'm waiting for the name of your partner candidate," Terry said.
"I will contact them after this."
After shaking hands, Terry walked out, followed by Richard. The white-haired man smiled and nodded his head, signaling his thanks to Klaus before he left.
And now, Klaus and Alexa were left in the room.
"Just as you thought, Klaus. Jacob didn't join and Terry wanted to get involved," said the bespectacled woman.
Klaus snorted. "Terry is greedy, but not selfish. Unlike Jacob."
Alexa nodded, agreeing.
Ever since he met Terry at the Golden Hammer Expo, Klaus knew right away that Terry was a good man. That was why Terry did not want to get involved in politics. Everything would be complicated and gray. But in the end, they managed to convince him.
...
Still the same night.
In a pitch-black office space, a man sat leaning back while swirling a glass of vodka. His eyes were glued to the tablet screen, broadcasting the grand launch situation at Mors Industries.
The more he watched the broadcast, the harder he squeezed the glass until the face of a woman wearing glasses appeared on the tablet screen, shattering the glass into pieces.
"Lucky bitch," he muttered.
Vincent sat sagging in the chair. Every time he saw that woman, a sickening feeling came to his mind. The failure at the Golden Hammer Expo still plagued his mind frequently.
In the midst of his gloomy mood, he heard footsteps. He was silent, but his eyes stared intently.
"Do you really like sneaking in, Zee?"
A woman in a black jumper emerged from the darkness. A hood covered her head and a shadow partially covered her face, showing only pink lips and a chin like a mochaccino.
The woman named Zee tossed a brown envelope onto the table. With a lazy move, Vincent picked up the envelope.
"I've found out who stole your stuff. A group of gangsters bought stolen arcana from someone, and gave about 30 million dollars to him. And that's the guy who stole your money."
"Then what about those gangsters? You've taken care of them, right?" asked Vincent as he opened the envelope.
"Most of them were killed, but the boss managed to escape after giving me that man's photo."
Vincent took out a photo from the envelope. It was picture of a man with dark hair and fair skin.
"His name is Morgan," Zee said.
Getting the name of the thief who stole his arcana, Vincent nodded his head. "Morgan, huh? Good name for a damn punk."
"What do you want me to do with that guy?"
"Find him and take my money. Make sure he dies."
After Vincent gave the order, the woman in the gray hood suddenly disappeared, as if darkness engulfed her.
