The place was loud.
Cheap lights. Smoke in the air. Glass clinking.
A normal night, for people who weren't normal.
A group of guys sat around a table, half-drunk, half-bored.
Gangsters, yeah.
But not the reckless kind.
They had rules.
If no one touched them.
They didn't touch anyone.
One of them leaned back in his chair.
Grinning.
"Yo, did you hear that?"
"The Emperor… against Vencor's grandson."
He whistled.
"That's insane."
Another guy chuckled.
"Who you got though?"
A pause.
Then a smirk.
"And bro… did you see her face?"
"She kinda a baddie, not gonna lie."
A few of them laughed.
Low. Casual.
Like it was just entertainment.
Then one of them turned his head slightly.
"Did you see anything? Hear anything… Liam?"
Silence.
Liam sat there.
Leaning back.
One arm resting on the chair.
Unbothered.
He didn't even look at them.
Didn't react.
Didn't blink.
Like they weren't even speaking.
Another guy nudged.
"Oi. Liam."
Still nothing.
Just a slow exhale.
Eyes half-lidded.
Somewhere else entirely.
Then finally.
He spoke.
Quiet.
Flat.
"…No."
That was it.
The group looked at each other.
Shrugged.
Went back to talking.
But Liam…
Stayed still.
Because unlike them.
He wasn't thinking about a "war."
Or "who wins."
His eyes lowered slightly.
Liam cracks his knuckles as he stood up.
No rush.
No drama.
"I'm heading out."
One of the guys raised a brow.
"That's it?"
Liam didn't answer.
He was already walking.
Outside.
the air felt colder.
Quieter.
Cleaner.
Liam slipped his hands into his pockets.
Eyes sharp now.
Focused.
He replayed everything he heard.
Names.
Patterns.
Movements.
People talk too much.
especially when they think no one important is listening.
Joseph.
Location.
Connections.
Guard patterns.
It wasn't easy.
He had to check multiple places.
Watch from a distance.
Wait.
Confirm.
Almost got misled twice.
But eventually.
he found it.
A building.
Quiet on the outside.
Too quiet.
Liam walked up to the door.
Knocked.
A second.
Two.
The door opened.
Anthony.
Gun up instantly.
Pressed straight toward Liam's head.
No hesitation.
Anthony's eyes narrowed.
"…You got balls."
Liam didn't flinch.
Didn't step back.
Didn't even glance at the gun.
"I wanna meet Joseph."
Silence.
Anthony tilted his head slightly.
Studying him.
"…And who the hell are you?"
Liam finally lifted his eyes.
Cold.
Straight.
"…Someone who's not here to play."
A pause.
From inside.
a voice.
Calm.
Controlled.
"Let him in, Anthony."
Anthony didn't move for a second.
Then.
slowly lowered the gun.
Stepped aside.
"Try anything…"
He smirked slightly.
"…you die."
Liam walked in like he owned the place.
Inside.
dim lights.
People scattered.
Injured ones resting.
Watching him.
Carefully.
And there.
Joseph.
Sitting.
Waiting.
Their eyes met.
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Sharp.
Joseph leaned back slightly.
Studying him.
"…You're not one of Emma's."
Liam stopped a few steps away.
"No."
A pause.
Joseph's eyes narrowed just a little.
"…Then why are you here?"
Liam's expression didn't change.
Not even slightly.
"…To see the guy who thinks he can go to war with her."
The room shifted.
Tension rising instantly.
Anthony's grip tightened again.
Maya looked ready.
Marcus frowned.
But Joseph.
He smiled.
Slightly.
"…Interesting."
He leaned forward.
Elbows on knees.
Eyes locked onto Liam.
"Then tell me."
A small pause.
"Who are you… to Emma Elarat?"
Silence.
"His kinda handsome.."
Maya said Whispering to himself.
"i bet he has a long dick."
Liam didn't hesitate.
"…I'm no one to her. But I would like to join you."
That.
made the room go completely still.
Joseph didn't react immediately.
He just stared at Liam.
Long enough to make most people uncomfortable.
Joseph didn't smile.
"I'm not here for Emma."
Liam said.
Now that.
caught everyone's attention.
Anthony's eyes narrowed again.
Maya leaned forward slightly.
Even Elena looked more interested.
Joseph tilted his head.
"…Then why are you here?"
Liam met his gaze.
No emotion.
No hesitation.
"I heard you're planning a war."
A beat.
"And I want in."
The air shifted.
Heavier.
Sharper.
Anthony scoffed.
"Just like that?"
Marcus muttered,
"Sounds like a rat."
But Joseph raised a hand.
Silence.
His eyes never left Liam.
Studying him deeper now.
"…You don't strike me as someone who follows orders."
Liam gave a faint shrug.
"I don't."
"…Then why join me?"
Liam took one slow step forward.
"I'm not joining you."
A pause.
"I'm joining the side that's more interesting."
Now.
Joseph smiled.
For real this time.
"…So you're here to judge me."
Liam didn't deny it.
"If you're boring…"
A slight tilt of his head.
"I'll walk out."
"…And go to Emma?"
"…Or kill both sides."
Silence.
Even Anthony didn't speak now.
Joseph leaned back.
Thinking.
Amused.
"…You've got confidence."
Liam replied instantly.
"No."
A pause.
"I just don't care if I die."
That line.
landed.
Joseph exhaled softly.
Then stood up.
Walked closer.
Step by step.
Until they were face to face.
"…Alright."
A small smirk.
"Entertain me."
Behind him.
his group watched carefully.
Still not trusting Liam.
Not even a little.
Joseph turned slightly.
"He stays."
Then looked back at Liam.
"But understand this…"
His voice dropped.
Colder.
"If you turn out to be useless…"
A small pause.
"I won't kill you."
Another step closer.
"I'll let them enjoy it."
Anthony smirked.
Maya cracked her knuckles.
Elena just smiled quietly.
Liam?
Didn't react.
"…Fair."
Joseph's smile widened slightly.
"Good."
War just got more complicated.
Chapter end