Chapter 44 Gathering on Maple Street
Before William arrived, he did anticipate some trouble with Andrew, but he never expected Alexander to get involved, especially since he came with Benjamin and the others.
What did this mean?
It meant Alexander's presence likely wasn't in support of him.
William was puzzled and furious because, although he had used Alexander, he had given him opportunities. However, he was standing against him at a critical moment.
"Alexander, what are you doing?" William, whose recent troubles had left him with neither the deceased in his family resolved nor his key supply channels secured,, had lost his previous amiable and righteous demeanor, replaced by impatience and indifference.
"William, can we talk on the side?" Alexander asked with a smile.
"Nothing to talk about? I must take the person away." William waved his hand irritably.
After pondering for a while, Alexander gestured for Andrew to calm down and softly said to William, "Captain, Eric has already been through enough. Let him go."
"Do you think you have the right to say that?" William asked coldly.
"Andrew and I just want to make sure Eric is safe," Alexander responded quietly, "Captain, airing out certain things publicly won't be good for anyone."
William was already trying to control his anger, but hearing the threat in Alexander's words made him snap. He suddenly raised his arm and swung it down.
A crisp sound echoed as Alexander received a slap in front of everyone.
"Get your role straight. Without me, do you think you can be a team leader?" William shouted, glaring. "I'm telling you now, even if Samuel comes today, I will still take Eric. Everyone else who's not involved, get lost!"
The scene fell into silence.
Alexander touched his face, smiled in a manner of disdain, and turned to Benjamin, shouting, "Help Eric out."
Benjamin, still wearing that dirty military coat, hunched over, hands in his sleeves, slowly turned around and shouted, "On Maple Street, is there anyone acquainted with me, Benjamin?"
Seconds later, the street began to tremble as a large number of figures emerged from the tenements, dirty alleys, and storefronts.
William looked up at the crowd, poked Alexander in the chest, and asked with a smile, "You've got backup, huh?"
In a matter of moments, hundreds of men with white armbands, armed with weapons, gathered under the dim lights. A burly man in a leather jacket from the Anderson family walked to the front and cursed, "William, whether you and your brother like it or not, I'm fucking doing this today."
The dozens of people on William's side all looked serious as they saw the surging crowd.
Below the steps, Benjamin took out a pack of cigarettes and again lightly shouted, "Anyone on Maple Street who wants medicine in the future, come help out. I'm risking it all today. If the Anderson family succeeds here, I'll provide medicine at zero profit for three months."
With those words, the narrow tenement buildings on both sides of Maple Street erupted with thunderous footsteps again. Yes, various groups, political relations, and big companies were fighting for interests, but the sick and poor living here were left without affordable medicine because of their struggle. So, hearing Benjamin's words, they all rushed out.
Seeing this scene, David immediatelysteps back and shouted into his radio, "Everyone on Maple Street, come out now, quickly, at the Vine Street entrance."
William roughly scanned the people the Anderson family called and looked at Alexander with a sneer. "You can protect Eric on Maple Street, but can he stay hidden forever?"
Meanwhile, in the Black Street District, Elm Street.
Eight stern-faced, well-built men, all with cloth bags on their shoulders and wearing wool gloves, approached a pair of deserted buildings. This place was far from Pine City's center, with a cemetery and a dedicated garbage disposal site for the Black Street District nearby, so there were no signs of life visible.
"Right here. Let's go in," the leading man glanced around before turning to instruct the others.
"Are you sure this is the place?"
"Yes, George had someone pick up medicine here before." the leader nodded. "Check it out, get ready to work."
Five minutes later, in the central area of the empty building.
Six or seven young men were sitting in chairs playing cards, and the windows on both sides of the room were deliberately boarded up, so no light escaped, making it look uninhabited from the outside.
In the smoke-filled room, a young man sitting on the left side with an e-cigarette in his mouth asked, "Everyone's been called to Maple Street. Shouldn't we go check it out?"
"There have been a lot of issues lately. We've been told to stay put," another young man responded with a frown. "No one goes out to play these days. Just do your job."
"Got it."
As they talked, the overhead light flickered a few times and then went out.
"Why did the light go out?"
"Is the generator broken again? Go check it out, take a flashlight."
Suddenly, there was a muffled sound at the door, followed by urgent footsteps.
"Someone's here, grab your stuff," shouted the young man who had been sitting, immediately standing up.
Before the people inside could react, gunfire erupted at the door, and dozens of bullets poured into the room like a torrential downpour. Screams followed, and three people were killed instantly.
At the door, the leader of the attackers shone a flashlight and gestured for his companions to stop shooting. "That's enough, don't shoot. The boss said we need two people with status."
Inside the police station.
Samuel sat at his desk, playing with a cup, frowning.
On the side sofa, the senator in charge of politiccal affairs in the station asked, "Isn't it a bit early to make decisions now?"
"Do I want to do it? It's Andrew forcing my hand!" Samuel sighed and cursed, "But it's fine. Terry has tried to win me over many times, and I've never responded. That's a statement in itself."
"The situation may be chaotic for a while," the senator reminded quietly.
"Things have already escalated on Maple Street. I can't stop it now. Let's wait for the call," Samuel said, taking a sip of water.
Inside Neon Club.
After taking a call, Terry cursed with a sullen face, "That fearless Benjamin really thinks he has authority on Maple Street. All of you, go over there. Don't hold back."
"Is Andrew's toughness a sign of Samuel's stance?" The middle-aged man on the left asked, frowning. "If so, things could get complicated."
Terry waved his hand. "If I want him to be Samuel, he is. If I don't, he's nothing. Tonight, I want Eric!"
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