Love At The Wrong Table

Chapter 2255 The Grand Hunt–Slaughter the Wolf and Execute the Lion!

“Very well! Under the leadership of Mr. Verkade and Mayor Zelinsky, we will host the Grand Hunt!”

“United as one! Emmanuel Lowe must die!”

“Kill Emmanuel Lowe! Take down Yorick Dotson!”

The room erupted with raised fists and resounding shouts.

“Since Mr. Verkade has proposed the plan, it’s only right that he take the lead as host. I will provide my full support,” Ezra added with a diplomatic smile, careful to keep his involvement minimal.

Gautier saw through the old fox’s intentions immediately–the first to strike would always be the first to fall.

If the plan succeeded and Catherine became president, Ezra would benefit greatly. But if it failed, and Emmanuel sought retribution, the ones taking the fall would be those who had led the charge–Gautier included.

Moreover, Yorick was Ezra’s brother–in–law by name. He certainly wouldn’t put himself directly at the forefront of this attack.

But while Gautier understood Ezra’s caution, there was no turning back now. He had been the one to propose the plan. The room had already pushed him forward as the host. There was no choice but to embrace the role fully.

“Alright! With time running short, I will take responsibility as host of the Grand Hunt!”

Raising his fist, he declared, “Our goal is to ensure neither of these men leave Divine Mountain alive!

“On that day, all of Zovince will be under weapons control–especially Divine Mountain. No metal weapons, no blades, not even liquids over ten ounces will be allowed past security. What we can bring is people—but the number of fighters will be limited. So, every person we bring must be an elite!”

“Agreed! The Lewin family will send one S–Rank fighter and one S- Level fighter! They will follow your orders on the mountain!”

The first commitment came swiftly, and once the precedent was set, others eagerly followed.

“The Joubert family will contribute two S- Level fighters!”

“The Cavendish family, though lacking in top–tier experts, has plenty of numbers–we can send seven or eight A+ Rank fighters!”

One by one, the counts came in. By the end, they had amassed 157 elite fighters–and that was before the Zelinsky family had even weighed in.

To put it into perspective, this force was stronger than all the fighters who had participated in the Nuthana Grand Martial Showdown. But it still wasn’t enough.

Gautier turned toward Ezra expectantly.

Ezra nodded. “Mr. Verkade, as I said, I will fully support you. Unfortunately, Emmanuel had already killed our sole SS–Rank Supreme Grandmaster. What we can offer are S+ Rank experts. As for those below S–Rank,

Chapter 2255 The Grand Hunt–Slaughter the Wolf and Execute the Lion!

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Finished

we have as many as needed, but they might take up valuable slots in our limited numbers for the mountain

ascent.”

“That’s more than enough, Mayor Zelinsky!” Gautier announced. “The Zelinsky family has spoken, and I represent the Verkade family’s stance. With the Lannister family joining as well, and the support of every faction here, we will have the full strength of Zovince behind this operation!

“This means the most powerful fighters in all of Chanaea will be part of the grand hunt! Emmanuel will die. Yorick will fall!”

“Emmanuel must die! Yorick must fall!”

“Emmanuel must die! Yorick must fall!”

The chants thundered through the hall, shaking the walls.

Hatred and self–interest bound these people together while only Ezra had personal plans. Still, eliminating Emmanuel was a part of that plan, so he was more than happy to see these eager fools do the dirty work.

“Mr. Verkade, you’re truly remarkable. You’ve become one of the most influential figures, not just in Zovince, but in all of Chanaea!”

As the meeting concluded, Chiara, representing the Zelinsky family, personally escorted Gautier out.

This time, she took the initiative to approach him with flattery.

“To achieve this level of success at just past thirty… you may well be the first in history.”

Elsewhere, within the Zelinsky Residence, an unseen figure watched the scene unfold through surveillance monitors, observing everything in silence.

“Ms. Lannister, I’ll become boastful if you praise me like that,” Gautier quipped the moment they stepped outside. He dropped his gentlemanly pretense and lightly patted her on the bum.

Chiara shuddered instantly as if jolted by an electric current. She glanced around anxiously—there was no one in sight, yet she couldn’t shake the eerie feeling of unseen eyes watching her.

“Ah!” Gautier let out a deliberate groan of pain.

Chiara instinctively stepped forward to support him, her expression filled with concern. “Mr. Verkade, are you alright?”

Taking the opportunity, Gautier wrapped an arm around her waist.

Holding one of the Four Beauties of Zovince in his grasp, he couldn’t help but revel in the sensation. He even leaned in slightly, inhaling her delicate fragrance before smiling. “Nothing serious. Just a broken leg- makes things a little inconvenient.”

The chauffeur, as before, kept his head lowered, sneaking glances while pretending to see nothing.

It was an unspoken truth–widows attracted rumors. And Chiara wasn’t just any widow; she was one of Zovince’s most desired women. The idea that she would remain faithful to Maxwell for …. rest of her life was laughable.

Understanding this, the chauffeur was neither surprised nor judgmental.

Wed, 12 Mai

Chapter 2255 The Grand Hunt–Slaughter the Wolf and Execute the Lion!

“Let me take you home, Mr. Verkade.”

Finished

Despite her momentary lapse, Chiara still maintained her composure. With so many eyes in the Zelinsky Estate, she was cautious of gossip–even though few would dare openly speak about her affairs.

“It would be my pleasure, Ms. Lannister.”

Gautier had never once called her Mrs. Zelinsky, for to him, she had never truly belonged to Maxwell. noveldrama

Meanwhile, within a secluded part of the Zelinsky Estate, Blake limped his way to a private chamber.

His uneven gait, coupled with his immense internal energy, made him resemble an oddly waddling duck.

Inside, Magnus was painting, his focus unwavering. He didn’t even look up as Blake entered.

“How can you remain so calm at a time like this? You really have nerves of steel!” Blake exasperated.

“And if I didn’t stay calm, what would that change?” Magnus asked with a composed smile, his eyes never shifting from the papers. “If they can arrange something big like a grand hunt, all while excluding the heir apparent, tell me–what can I, a puppet, do?”

“Wait–you already knew?” Blake blinked in surprise. He couldn’t understand how Magnus was already informed when he came rushing over after the meeting, which had just been dismissed.

Finally, Magnus looked up, adjusting his glasses. “Would you believe me if I told you I guessed it?”

“Oh, who cares? That’s not the point! The point is, I saw something far more entertaining!”

Without waiting for Magnus to ask, he leaned in excitedly. “Chiara was escorting Gautier out, right? And guess what?! The moment they stepped outside, that b*stard couldn’t resist himself–he immediately started groping your dear sister–in–law’s a*s! Right out in the open! I swear, he must’ve been in heaven! Man, if only I could get a chance like that someday…”

Magnus merely chuckled.

He knew Blake well enough–his ambitions were small, and his desires even smaller.

But suddenly, his expression shifted.

With a flick of his wrist, he tossed his brush aside and ordered Blake, “Follow me out now if you enjoyed that episode so much!”

“There’s more?!” Blake’s eyes lit up. He certainly wasn’t going to miss out on it.

Yet no matter how many times he prodded for details, Magnus simply smiled in silence, keeping him on edge.

Elsewhere, within another private chamber of the Zelinsky Residence, Ezra returned from the council meeting only to find someone already waiting for him.

Upon seeing the uninvited guest, Ezra’s expression darkened, and he immediately snapped, “Do you actually want to die?! What are you doing out here without permission?!”