?Chapter 1288:


    “Hey, girl,” one of them sneered, his voice dripping with amusement. “Do you even know whose turf this is? Cheating at a ce like this—are you looking for trouble?”


    “Quit stalling,” another grunted. “I know exactly how to deal with women like her.”


    They were determined to get something out of her tonight.


    Meanwhile, in the adjacent room, Jonathan leaned back in his chair, his long legs proppedzily on the edge of his desk. The casual posture did little to diminish the authority he exuded—an unshakable arrogance woven into his very presence.


    “Nate,” he drawled, his tone edged with danger. “Are you tired of living? You waltz into my territory like you own the ce. Reckless. Fearless. Insane.”


    The audacity of this man. No backup, no caution. Did Nate truly believe he would let him walk out unscathed?


    Seated across from him, Nate lifted his gaze, cool and unwavering. “I am here to discuss business.”


    Jonathan’s eyes narrowed, amusement flickering beneath his sharp scrutiny.


    “Business, you say?”


    The tension in the room thickened.


    For years, they had been bitter adversaries, their enmity leaving no room for friendship.


    If there was any bond between them, it was their shared determination to see the other fall.


    Yet Jonathan had dealt with Nate enough to know—the man was impossible to decipher.


    Nate’s gaze swept over him with practiced ease before he spoke, his tone measured. “I want you to take over ude’s territory.”


    Jonathan’s pupils narrowed.


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    He did not react immediately. Instead, he lifted a hand to his chin, absently toying with the ring on his index finger as he weighed the words.


    The room remained eerily quiet, save for Nate’s deep, unhurried voice. “There cannot be two leaders in one territory. You understand this better than anyone. ude has been expanding his forces in Lyhaton. Eventually, you two will sh—it is only a matter of time.”


    The message was crystal clear. Whether sooner orter, a confrontation between Jonathan and ude was inevitable.


    A slow, almost amused chuckle escaped Jonathan’s lips. His eyes, cold and sharp as ss, gleamed with dark amusement. “You really are ruthless. Trying to maneuver me like a chess piece on your board.”


    Nate remained unfazed. “If you take the risk, I will ensure you are wellpensated.”


    Jonathan arched a brow, his interest piqued. “Go on, then. If I help you take ude down, what do I get in return?”


    He had already heard the whispers about ude’s underhanded schemes against the Ford family.


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