Secret Scion

At this time, the door to the private room was opened up. Hunter walked in and said, "Master Ford is here."

The private room that was quite rowdy just a moment ago instantly became quiet. The men that were smoking also quickly put the cigarettes out. Afterward, Ford slowly made his entrance. When they saw him, they all stood up and greeted Ford. Except for Mateo, who was still sitting on the sofa.

Mateo and Ford called themselves brothers. As such, in terms of seniority, both of them were the same.

Ford nodded with a smile and then walked toward Mateo.

At this time, Mateo put down his leg and was going to stand up, but Ford swiftly placed his right hand on Mateo's shoulder and said with a smile, "We're brothers. No need for such courtesy." Ford then scanned around the room, and then continued, "Everyone's here then? Tell them that they can serve us now. We'll discuss as we drink."

Ford then seated himself, which was followed by the others. They all sat around the round table according to their seniority.

Very quickly, food and wine were served. Ford held the glass in his hand and said, "It's so rare to have so many of us gathered together. Should we have some drinks first?"

Ford then raised his glass. Naturally, the others dared not hesitate. After they had had their drinks, Mateo then said, "Now that I think about it, we've walked these streets for almost forty years. It's not a simple feat to be able to live until today. Today is the day you retire, so I have to raise a glass to you no matter what."

"Of course. Pour us some wine," Ford had just finished saying that when both Winston and Hunter stood up at the same time. They then poured wine for Ford and Mateo respectively. "Where are your manners? You should pour the drinks to Master Ford first," Mateo said as he gave Winston a glance.

Meanwhile, Ford merely waved his hand with a smile and said, "It's fine. No need for such formalities."

After they had feasted and drunk, Mateo put down his fork. He then lit up a cigarette and said, "Ford, there must always be someone to lead us. If you're going to step down, then we need to choose someone to succeed you. What do you all say?"

"That's true, Master Ford. We need to choose a new leader soon."

"Well, since we're all here today, why don't we do it today?"

The middle-aged men next to them nodded.

Ford then said with a smile and looked at Mateo, "Is there even a need to choose? Hunter is quite suitable. We can't ignore all the work he's done on our behalf all these years. Not to mention that his reputation among the youngsters is unparalleled. There's no one more suitable than him to be the next leader."

No one dared to say another word, but Mateo said, "Everyone can see how talented Hunter is. But to say that he's unparalleled among the youngsters, that's not fair since we have Winston here as well. Isn't that right?"

"Winston is quite talented as well, but is not suitable to be a leader," Ford explained directly. Winston was quite unhappy, but he still had a smile on his face as he said, "I don't understand, Master Ford. Why am I not suitable to be the leader? In terms of merit, I've done as much as Hunter. In terms of supporters, I have plenty of them too."

Mateo then nodded. "That's right. Choosing a new leader is quite important as it affects our future. You can't side with Hunter too much. Let's see. Maybe we should follow our old customs. We should have everyone raise their hands. Whoever has the most support can be the next leader. That's the fairest."

When everyone else heard what Mateo had to say, everyone else could not help but nod in agreement as well.

When Ford saw what was happening, he was forced to agree as he said, "Fine, we'll do it your way. Those who support Winston to be the boss, raise your hand."

As soon as Ford finished his sentence, Mateo raised his hand immediately to show support. His eyes scanned the faces of the middle-aged men, and in the end, they all raised their hands. "Haha! I didn't expect so much support for Winston! Other than Winston and Hunter, there are twelve votes and Winston already has seven votes. It seems like Hunter has already lost," Mateo said, satisfied.

Winston then said with a smile, "Thank you for your support. If I become the leader, I'll guarantee that everyone here has a fruitful time under my leadership."

Ford had some mixed feelings about this. He did not expect that Winston would be able to garner so much support since he sided with Hunter. Even if the remaining ones supported Hunter, it would be meaningless since it would be five votes against seven votes.

When Mateo saw Ford saying nothing, he then said, "Ford, don't tell me you want to go back on your own words? That's not like you."

"Since when have I ever gone back on my own words in front of you ever since I became your leader?" Ford said in an indifferent tone. "Let me make this clear. If you can no longer make any profit or find your position weakened after Winston becomes the leader, don't come crying to me."

There was a hint of ire in his tone, and the men that raised their hands could only glance at each other. It seemed like they all had something that they could not discuss.

Winston then said with a smile, "Don't worry, Master Ford. I won't let our people go hungry as long as I'm around."

"If that's the case, then..." Before Ford could even finish his sentence, Hunter slammed his hands on the table as he stood up. He pointed his finger at Winston and yelled, "Winston Ziegler! Compete with me fairly if you dare! Don't pull these little tricks behind my back! It's obvious that they didn't raise their hands voluntarily! Are you threatening them?!"

Winston narrowed his eyes and let out a loud laughter. "Hunter, if you aren't willing to admit defeat, then you shouldn't have competed with me. You accuse me of threatening them when you have lost. Where's your dignity?! You need proof to back your accusations! I know that you have a lot of supporters, but I'm not afraid of you. If you want a fight, then come at me!" Winston had also stood up.

The entire room was sitting on a powder keg.

Mateo merely smiled and said nothing.

Ford motioned to them both and said, "It's alright. We're among friends, no need to be so aggressive toward each other. Hunter, take a seat."

"Master Ford, they..."

"Take a seat!" Ford said with a firm tone.

Hunter had no choice but to sit down as he snorted, "Regardless, Ziegler won't get my recognition as the leader."

It was at this time when the door of the private room was opened up, and one of their underlings

ran in and said, "Master Ford, we have a problem. Someone fought his way in."

"Fought his way in?" Ford's brows drew together.

Mateo slammed the table and said, "Who dares to that when we're discussing something so important? Does he have a death wish?! Take him down immediately and bring him to us! Let's see who wants to get himself killed so badly!"

As soon as he had said that, two men wearing tank tops were thrown into the room with a heavy thump.

What happened shocked everyone who was present. They wondered just who had that kind of strength.

"Mateo, why are you still so violent despite your age? If you die, doesn't that mean your Callista can openly get together with another man?" Asher said as he came in with a cigarette between his fingers.

"Who the hell are you? Do you have any idea just what place this is? Kill him!"

Mateo was on the verge of exploding from his temper. He was well known here and yet this man dared to stir up trouble in his territory?

As soon as Mateo said that, the underlings within the private room all wanted to make their

moves.

"Stop!" Hunter yelled. "If any of you touch him, your punishment is death!"

All their underlings stopped dead in their tracks.

"Hunter, you bastard! What do you think you're doing?" Mateo yelled in anger.

Hunter then said to him in a cold tone, "Master Mateo, don't you know who he is? He is the scion from the Crawfords of the Capital City, Asher Crawford. Even Castor from the Yaegers has to bow before him when he sees him. Do you still want to make a move against him?" After he said that, everyone's expression hardened.

While those on this side of the world normally did not interfere in the fight between the households, that did not mean that they did not know what was happening in Rollinsford. Asher's reputation had spread far and wide; they had to be deaf to not have heard of him. However, what they did not understand was the reason why he had appeared here. Even Mateo was grimacing. Of course, he knew that he could not make a move against this young man in front of him. The consequences of doing so were not something that he could bear.

Mateo sat down in his seat once more and then asked with a frown on his face, "So it's Master Asher. No wonder you've ignored all my men. To what do I owe you the grace of your presence?" Asher gave his cigarette a puff and ignored Mateo, and instead turned to Ford and said with a smile, "You must be Master Ford. Your reputation precedes you."

Ford felt much better when he saw that Asher had greeted him first and ignored Mateo. He then said with a smile, "No need for such courtesy, Master Asher. Hunter, get a seat for him." "Have a seat, Master Asher," Hunter quickly said. He did not know the reason why, but when he saw Asher's appearance, he suddenly felt at ease. For some reason, he believed that Asher could help him settle everything.