Chapter 21 - Control

Greg nodded in understanding and swiftly relayed the orders to the loyalists who had switched sides. They moved with precision, securing the perimeter and ensuring no one escaped.

While they were inside the building...

The air split with a deafening roar as bombs erupted inside the building. Plumes of smoke billowed upward, engulfing everything in their path with a choking haze. The ground trembled beneath the onslaught, sending shockwaves rippling outward.

I looked up transfixed, witnessing how those men were blown away by the explosions.

I knew he was not going to surrender without a fight. So I intentionally let his former followers be the first ones to subdue him. At least Greg's people weren't the ones who were blown to pieces, but instead, it was his people.

Greg heard me chuckle and looked back at me, giving me a thumbs up.

"You knew this was going to happen?"

I gave Greg a sidelong glance while saying, "Yeah, after all, we don't need those people. So it's better to let him kill his men. They managed to betray their leader, so a second betrayal isn't impossible to happen."

"As expected, you are indeed amazing. What are we going to do next?" He seemed eager to take action.

"Let your men get inside. Be careful; General Lizandro is for sure still alive, waiting for an opportunity to strike."

Greg nodded at me then give instructions to his men.

Greg's men made their way inside the building, where most parts were now destroyed because of the explosions.

I heard gunshots after that.

As they took control of the situation, I made my way into the building, flanked by Greg and a few trusted allies. The scene inside was chaotic, with bodies strewn across the floor and the smell of gunpowder lingering in the air.

General Lizandro, now cornered, stood with his back against the wall, a mix of fear and defiance in his eyes.

"Time's up, Supremo," I said, my voice cutting through the tension. "You had your chance to surrender peacefully."

He spat on the ground, his pride refusing to let him submit. "I'll never bow down to the likes of you."

Without hesitation, Greg signaled to his men, and they moved in to apprehend the General. Despite his struggles, he was quickly subdued and disarmed.

"Now what?" Greg asked, his gaze unwavering.

"Now, bring the Chief Armorer, the Narcotics Chief, and those law enforcers here," I replied, a steely determination in my tone. "We need to ensure that our control over the Black Market is absolute."

With General Lizandro in custody, we began the process of solidifying our grip on the underground network, rooting out any remaining pockets of resistance, and asserting our authority.

When those law enforcers, Chief Armorer, and Narcotics Chief saw the situation, they became petrified.

The Chief Armorer immediately knelt, desperately asking for mercy.

"Please spare my life! I will give you everything I have. Just let me live! I'm begging you!"

I just smirked, hearing his pleas without even glancing at him.

The others also followed suit, desperately begging for mercy.

"Enough," I said in a tone devoid of any emotions.

They immediately shut up and bowed their heads, as if afraid of looking at me directly in the eyes.

Signaling to Greg, he immediately made his men push General Lizandro to the front of those people.

Looking down at them, I spoke in a mocking tone.

"Now, witness what I do if someone betrays me."

Greg gave me a gun, then stepped back.

Without any warning, I shot General Lizandro five times in rapid succession. First in the heart, then in the right shoulder, the left thigh, the right thigh, and finally in the head. I shot him mercilessly.

I felt the overwhelming fear emanating from those witnessing the scene. Some of the law enforcers even wet their pants.

Looking at their petrified expressions, I spoke coldly.

"Now, tell me, will you betray me or not? Only this time, I'll give you a chance."

They immediately bowed their heads while still kneeling on the ground, trembling as they said, "We will never betray you. Please spare us."

"Follow my orders from now on and never attempt to betray me. Otherwise, it won't just be yourselves suffering the consequences, but your entire family as well. Do you understand?"

"Yes, we understand!" They answered outright, afraid that if they were a second late, I was going to kill them ruthlessly.

"Good. Now, clean this up."

Greg and I walked out after I said those words.

I let them handle the rest. For sure, those people already know how to cover up things and how to make people believe a lie about General Lizandro's cause of death.

The Deputy Chief of Defense was a member of The Protector Agency. So I have nothing to worry about the country's military because for sure he would be the one appointed as the new Chief of Defense.

Getting inside the car with Greg. Vince, who had been inside since earlier, hurriedly asked, "Done?"

"Yes, let's go home now," I answered him while leaning back in the chair and making myself comfortable.

Greg, who was in the driver's seat started the car. Driving it towards the direction of our home. It was a mansion near my company building, the Pyrotech Holdings, located in the capital city of Sparks Country.

Inside the mansion, before I went to my bedroom, Vince hurriedly asked me, "Bro, when will you send me the money? I badly need it."

"Huh?"

"Don't give me that blank look. I know you know what I mean." He looked me directly in the eyes with those glaring brown eyes of his, as if he would beat me if I continued my act.

"Hahaha," I can't help but laugh out loud, looking at his expression. This kid surely loves money.

"Come on Bro, stop laughing."

Looking at his sulking face, I can't help but be reminded of Mike, my little brother.

I used to tease him from time to time every time he tried to act like a grown-up man.

He is a little money grubber too. Every time he did something like when he drew a spaceship. He would go around proudly showing it to everyone inside our home.

Then he would say, "Now give me red pockets with money inside. It's for the opportunity I gave you to witness my masterpiece."

I can't help but tease him, giving him a blank look as if looking at a fool.

Once he can no longer take it, he will glare at me. Instead of being intimidated by him, I find him so cute so I can't help but laugh at him.

"Bro come on just send it to me" Hearing Vince's voice calling out to me impatiently made me come back to my senses.

I put security to the Black Market online transactions that even Vince can't able to break through. I just wanted to make sure other hackers wouldn't gain access to it before we took action to subdue General Lizandro.

After giving Vince access to it, he was grinning from ear to ear.

Remembering the reason why he wants that money, I can't help but ask him

"When will the auction of that island be?"