Right as Stenson entered, he walked up to a guest and gave him a couple of solid pats, upsetting the guest.
However, Stenson made nothing of it and even downed the entire glass of the guest’s liquor. After putting the glass down, Stenson wiped the wine stuck on his beard like a barbarian. For a moment, awkwardness filled the atmosphere.
None welcomed him. Of course, Stenson wasn’t oblivious to it. He just didn’t care. His gaze was filled with nothing but ridicule and contempt, for he believed the bunch of Cittadelians posed no threat to him. After sweeping his gaze across the room, he eventually landed his eyes on Alexander.
“You must be Mr. Alexander Griffith, the founder of Cittadel’s Smith Co. You sure are a fine man. I like you. What do you say we be friends?”
Alexander naturally had no plans to interact with the Hellen Family when Stenson wasn’t on the guest list. Stenson, on the other hand, wanted to see if Alexander would show him due respect when he approached Alexander without being. solicited.
Better to make another friend than a foe. Alexander raised his glass in the air, not wanting to stir up problems. “I had actually planned on personally visiting you later, Mr. Stenson. Since it’s fated that we meet today, here’s a glass for you. I look forward to being under your care, Mr. Stenson.”
As ever-changing as the rules were in a business social engagement, the core principles remained-those who drank more were ultimately less superior.
Back when he was younger, Alexander would never have given a damn about scoundrels like Stenson. But he has a family now, and he has to think about the consequences of his every action. So, he had to learn to be tactful.
However, Stenson’s voice came just as the liquor glass touched his lips. “Funny you say that. I happen to have a good chance for you. I have a batch of top-quality flour with me. Word is that Smith Co. has subsidiaries all across Cittadel. The way I see it, it’s the perfect company to distribute my goods.”
Of course, it wasn’t any ordinary old flour but a lingo of the underworld. Something shady like that was naturally given a nickname.
Smith Co., too, had a few dealings that exploited legal loopholes. However, they stood by one principle-no prostitution and pornography, gambling, and narcotics.
After recovering from his split-second stump, Alexander put the glass down on the table. It wasn’t a toast he could afford to give away anymore.
Meanwhile, Stenson analyzed in length, seeing Alexander unresponsive. “Think about it. Cittadel is a large market, and if one-third of the people can buy my goods, I’ll be able to bag a good profit. Tell me that doesn’t sound tempting to you.”
At that, Alexander raised his head and pulled a typical ungenuine smile. “Of course, it’s tempting. Given that I can live to spend the money, that is. If even a family as impressive as the Hellens can’t expand their business toward Cittadel, how can I, a defenseless businessman, do anything? You should seek someone more capable than I, Mr. Stenson.”
“So, you’re going to defy me, Mr. Griffith?” Stenson stood up grimly with his arms akimbo at once.
“That would be an exaggeration, Mr. Stenson,” said Alexander, unruffled. ‘I just want to do honest business and live a few more days.”
“If I insist on the collaboration?” Stenson threatened. “Nothing forcibly done is going to be agreeable. Alexander tucked his smile away. and brought out his domineering side.
Two alpha males bore into each other as the atmosphere grew tense.
Having had enough of it, Camren, who remained silent all this while, stepped in. “Stenson, everyone here is well aware of this ‘flour’ you’re selling. Don’t trouble us when we haven’t messed with you. You do your business, and we do ours. I suggest you don’t cross the line.”
Even if this was Mesdra, they, the large taxpayers, were under federal government protection. If Stenson dared lay a finger on them, the cops would mess with their dealings as well.
Sure, the Hellens weren’t afraid of being arrested, but they feared losing business. All in all, they still dreaded the cops. Camren was reminding Stenson to mind his business.
Stenson, on the other hand, looked toward Camren for a few seconds, then swept his gaze across the room before sneering all of a sudden. “Well, well. It seems that everyone who had turned me down is here. I was wondering why Alexander Griffith is so emboldened. So, you two are backing him up, eh? I bet this is a party for devising plans to attack me!”
Napoleon finally hit the roof and retaliated, “Some people think the whole world is against him, but in actuality, no one gives a sh*t about him. Some man he is!”
“What are you rambling about, you old bag?!” exploded Stenson as he slammed the table.
“What? Am I not allowed to ramble to myself?!” Napoleon made nothing of the uncivilized man.
Who does Stenson think he is? The king of the world? Huh, nothing but a heartless profiteer that makes money by leeching on other people! What right does he think he has to raise his voice in front of us?! He was but a sperm cell when I was thriving in the industry!
“I dare you to say that again!” Someone as hot- tempered as Stenson was easily ignited.
Do these bunch of old codgers think I’m really afraid of them?! I’d have long killed all of you if it weren’t for the feds!
“You’re still unworthy of doing business with Cittadelians, no matter how many times I say it! Napoleon slammed his glass onto the table. as his domineering aura enveloped him at once.
“Very well. Stenson lifted his jacket, pulled out a gun, and pointed it toward Napoleon. “I’m going to bust your mouth in this instance! See if you dare look down on me ever again!”
However, Napoleon stood up composedly with a cigar in his hand while pointing at his chest with the other. “Come on, shoot here then. I promise you the Hellens will rue the day if you dare shoot.”
Beyond livid, Stenson released the safety catch and rested his finger on the trigger..
At that, Alexander stepped in at once. “Allow me to remind you, Mr. Stenson, that the high- ranking officials of the federal government are sharing a meal with the Cittadel ambassador of Mesdra in the private room upstairs. Go ahead and fire your shot if you want to alert them.”
Alexander naturally had to think of everything if he wanted to rally the various forces, and it was exactly because he knew of the information that he set up the party here. After hearing Alexander’s words, Stenson hesitated.
Sure, shooting Napoleon would vent his anger, but the members of the Hellen Family would be in trouble after that. The Mesdra government would certainly keep a close eye on them if he killed one of their major tax contributors. At that point, forget about making money; it would be a problem if the Hellen Family could even survive.
That said, it would be embarrassing to put his gun away just like that. Just as he was contemplating, one of his lackeys came up to him from behind and gave him an out. “Boss, let’s think twice about this. The family’s interest is still the priority.”
And you couldn’t have come in sooner?! Stenson mused. But on the surface, he tucked his gun away and acted as though he was thinking of the bigger picture. “I’ll go easy on you this time since Griffith stepped in, but just you wait!”
With that, he strode out of the hall and returned to his car with rage. Unable to sit with the result, he huffed, “The richest man of Cittadel, is he? I’d like to see how firm your neck is. Keep an eye on that bunch!”
