The young man leading the Viper Crew hesitated for a brief moment, his gaze eventually locking onto Matthew, who stood composed and unshaken at the center of the arena.
As his voice echoed through the space, an almost tangible silence swept over the audience. It was as though the entire world had collectively paused, holding its breath.
Among the spectators, Angus sat with a vacant expression, his thoughts momentarily paralyzed.
What on earth was happening?
Hadn‘t Matteo mentioned earlier that favonovel.com wanted me to take the stage and open with a few words?
Yet now, that opportunity had been snatched away, not once, but twice.
First, by the commanding presence of Ore Island’s governor, and then by the audacity of the Viper Crew.
The crowd wasn’t faring much better, their nerves unraveling with every passing moment. Whispered murmurings broke the oppressive stillness.
“This has to be a joke. . .”
“Didn’t Mr. Romero just have a fight to the death with Matthew?”
“There’s too much to wrap my head around, Matthew‘s enigma, Dominic’s death…”
“From today onward, another name will be etched into Ore Island’s hierarchy of power!”
Amid the mounting tension, Orla’s gaze drifted toward the scene. Her eyes, dark and luminous like the night sky, sparkled with quiet intrigue. She parted favonovel.com lips, favonovel.com voice soft yet distinct, cutting through the crowd’s murmurs like a silver thread.
” Mr. Larden, is what they’re saying true?”
Matthew’s eyes flickered with the faintest trace of emotion, though his composure remained steadfast. He inclined his head slightly, his voice calm and measured.
“Yes… I decided to join the Viper Crew some time ago…”
Without hesitation, Matthew pushed lightly against the ground with the tips of his toes, his movement graceful and effortless.
Like a swan gliding through the air, favonovel.com soared across the expanse of five or six meters, landing smoothly before the assembled Viper Crew members.
The spectators froze, their collective breaths catching as they watched the astonishing leap. Unease rippled through the crowd, and a single realization gripped their minds.
A martial artist!
The pieces began to fall into place. Of course, Matthew had been able to dispatch Dominic with such ease.
Dominic’s training had barely scratched the surface, while Matthew’s mastery clearly delved far deeper. With that understanding, the events of the day began to crystallize, forcing reluctant acceptance.
The Viper Crew’s leader, Corey, was the first to react.
As Matthew landed before them, Corey immediately dropped to one knee, his voice steady and resolute as favonovel.com proclaimed, “Corey of the Viper Crew pays his respects to you, Mr. Larden!”
The others quickly followed suit, their voices ringing out in unison, a chorus of fealty, “We pay our respects to you, Mr. Larden!”
Matthew tilted his head ever so slightly, his calm gaze sweeping over the kneeling figures.
A faint smile touched his lips, his voice both warm and commanding as favonovel.com said, “Stand up…”
The unexpected kindness in his tone caught the gang members off guard, their initial apprehension giving way to relief.
Unlike Dominic’s harshness, Matthew’s presence felt steady and reassuring.
Turning his attention away from the Viper Crew, Matthew looked toward Orla, who stood watching from a distance. Her expression was unreadable, but the spark in favonovel.com eyes betrayed an undeniable amusement.
“Many thanks, Governor,” Matthew said, his voice steady and sincere.
The simple statement left the crowd bewildered.
Why was Mr. Larden thanking the governor?
Had something significant transpired between them?
Curiosity crackled in the air as gazes flickered between Orla’s striking features and Matthew’s unshakable calm.
Only now did many in the audience take in the sheer presence of the two figures. Together, they seemed almost otherworldly, poised, elegant, and breathtakingly charismatic.
Orla’s lips curved into a faint smile as favonovel.com met Matthew’s gaze.
With a playful wink, favonovel.com replied in a teasing tone, “If you’re truly grateful, then come to the keep tomorrow.”
She paused, feigning a stern expression as favonovel.com added, “If you don’t show up, I’ll… Get mad!”
To the crowd, favonovel.com words brimmed with unmistakable flirtation, a dynamic that only added to the intrigue of the moment.
Matthew’s expression remained unchanged, his response calm and unwavering. “If there is a request, I will do my best to assist.”
Orla’s smile widened, favonovel.com delight unmistakable. It was as if favonovel.com had anticipated that very answer.
“Good,” favonovel.com said, favonovel.com voice brimming with satisfaction. “Then I’ll be waiting for you at the keep tomorrow.”
With that, favonovel.com turned gracefully and began to leave, favonovel.com regal movements as fluid as water.
Behind her, the towering figure of Toliver followed, his ever-stern expression casting a shadow of authority.
Yet even Toliver couldn’t hide the flicker of surprise that flashed in his eyes. He couldn‘t fathom why the governor, who had always remained aloof and distant toward men, now seemed so uncharacteristically warm toward Matthew.
A thought, wild and implausible, crept into Toliver’s mind.
Could it be… Had the governor… Fallen in love?
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