Chapter 288: Chapter 288: Downing Tools
As they settled comfortably into their chairs, an inexplicably strange atmosphere filled the room.
Lily Hart crossed her legs and scanned the three of them one by one. "What happened? Did you guys all quit on Central Command?"
Why else would you all show up here together, looking like you’re defecting?
Logan Holland, who had just poured himself a cup of hot water, nearly spat it out laughing. Luckily, there were no outsiders around.
Peter Sharp didn’t know Lily Hart well; he had only ever heard rumors about her. Seeing her in person today, he found she didn’t quite match the stories.
’She’s actually very cute, with a bright, cheerful laugh. Definitely a girl with a mind of her own.’
Logan Holland frantically waved his hands, but then decided she had a point. "You could say that. In any case, we have no desire to stay there any longer."
Lily Hart’s gaze shifted to Elder Shaw. "You too, sir?" In her mind, Elder Shaw was someone who had poured his heart and soul into Central Command, giving it his all.
She had always believed he held a special attachment to Central Command, one he couldn’t sever no matter how deeply it hurt him.
A flash of hesitation crossed Elder Shaw’s mind, but it was followed by memories of the others’ doubts and his own mounting disappointment.
He nodded slowly and said in a jesting tone, "It’s true, I don’t want to do it anymore. I’m getting old, can’t keep up with this work~"
Lily Hart made a fist with her left hand and slapped it into her open right palm. "Now that’s more like it!" she said encouragingly.
Then she asked, "So, what’s your plan now? Are you going to strike out on your own?"
The question stumped all four men. Logan Holland and the other two had stormed out of the meeting on impulse, but they hadn’t actually considered quitting for good.
Their gazes unconsciously drifted to Elder Shaw as they couldn’t help but wonder, ’Does he really not plan on being the director anymore?’
’If Elder Shaw steps down, a whole new set of problems will emerge. For instance, who will be the new director?’
’Or... will Central Command fall completely under the control of the Mysterious Clan?’
That was an outcome they were unwilling to accept.
Elder Shaw’s eyes lit up. ’Go independent? That’s not a bad idea. And if we could get Boss Hart to join us...’
’He dared not imagine how amazing that would be. The more he considered it, the more he wanted to put the plan into action.’
Lily Hart continued her persuasion, "Even if you don’t strike out on your own, you can’t stay in Central Command. It’s a cesspool. Simple, pure-hearted folks like us can’t stay there for long, or we’ll be corrupted."
That was true. Logan Holland had been tempted to give in many times. Whenever he felt like just giving up and letting everything fall apart, he would force himself to think of the survivors still living in miserable conditions.
She continued, "The biggest problem with Central Command isn’t its director. It’s the Mysterious Clan pulling the strings from behind."
"If you’re willing to stand with me against the Mysterious Clan, then I’m willing to become Central Command’s primary supplier."
"What do you need that bullshit Mysterious Clan for, anyway? Their supplies are scarce, they taste terrible, and there’s no variety! And they charge an arm and a leg in Crystal Cores for it!"
"Look at what I can offer. I have everything. You name it, I’ve got it. I could even set up scratch-off lottery machines inside Central Command."
She laid out her case, her logic clear and laced with a resentment that the four men found all too relatable.
Lily Hart deliberately lowered her voice, and the five of them unconsciously leaned in closer, their heads gradually forming a circle.
It felt as though they were discussing matters of national importance.
Elder Shaw was completely won over. He had wanted to break free from the current state of Central Command for a long time, but the issue of supplies had always been the biggest hurdle.
Logan Holland was a bit lost. ’How did we suddenly jump to taking down the Mysterious Clan?’ he wondered. ’Weren’t we just talking about going independent?’
"What do you think we should do?" Elder Shaw asked, ready to put his trust in Lily Hart.
"First, we have to root out all the parasites in Central Command," Lily Hart said nonchalantly, straightening up.
She looked at Elder Shaw, her tone certain. "I’m sure you have a list of names, right? We’ll keep the ones who are willing to switch sides. As for those who aren’t..."
Lily Hart made a sharp throat-slitting gesture, the vicious look in her eyes proving she wasn’t joking.
A single thought flashed through Elder Shaw’s mind. ’If we do this, how many people will lose their lives?’
’Then again, these people deserve it. They’ve committed more than their fair share of evil.’
He couldn’t help but marvel at Lily Hart’s ruthlessness.
His first instinct was to agree, to follow her instructions to the letter. If her plan could be properly executed, Central Command would undoubtedly get back on the right track.
It might even become better than ever.
The more Elder Shaw thought about it, the more excited he became, until he felt an urge to throw caution to the wind and just go for it!
But... there were too many uncertainties. He was no longer the Quincy Shaw he once was; he couldn’t be that decisive anymore.
It was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over his head. Elder Shaw slowly cooled down, his gaze shifting to Logan Holland and the other two.
He found the three of them were practically buzzing with excitement, their joy written all over their faces. It was as if Lily Hart had voiced the deepest desires of their hearts.
Elder Shaw asked tentatively, "You all..."
The words had barely left his mouth when an excited Logan Holland grabbed his hand. "Elder Shaw! We can really do this!"
Yael Lowell was just as ecstatic. Lily Hart’s words had made him envision a bright future for Central Command.
He grabbed Elder Shaw’s shoulders excitedly. "Elder Shaw! What are we waiting for?! Let’s do it! Let’s take them down!"
Peter Sharp also harbored a deep hatred for the Mysterious Clan, especially their minions. Swept up in the mood, his face also broke into a joyful expression.
Lily Hart raised an eyebrow, a smile creeping onto her face. ’Looks like I’m pretty good at brainwashing people,’ she thought.
Spurred on by the others, Elder Shaw felt a rush of blood to his head and declared impulsively, "We have to do this!"
"Alright!" Logan Holland and the other two shouted in unison.
Lily Hart clapped as well. "Then from now on, I’ll be your Central Command’s supplier."
’An endless stream of points without even lifting a finger. Oh yeah!’
Yael Lowell, the Head of the Logistics Department, was overjoyed and readily agreed. "No problem! We’ll use you and only you!"
After another round of excited boasting, Elder Shaw’s rationality began to return, and he grew hesitant once more.
He was annoyed with himself. ’I never used to be this indecisive, always second-guessing everything.’
’I have to do this! For the freedom to see Fred without hiding! For the survivors to have better lives!’
’To return to how things were, to a civilized age.’
He finally steeled his resolve. "I’ll go back and write up the list tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll call them in for a chat, one by one."
Logan Holland’s jaw dropped. "So brazenly? Won’t that make the Mysterious Clan suspicious?"
"We want them to be suspicious," Lily Hart said confidently. "Best case scenario, they start fighting amongst themselves, and we can just sit back and reap the benefits!"
Elder Shaw nodded in agreement.
After two hours of detailed discussion, the five of them finally solidified their plan as the sky began to darken.
They naturally stayed for dinner. Logan Holland and the other two were overjoyed. ’Yes! We get to freeload another meal!’
Since there were so many people, the little ones were ushered over to the sofa area, leaving the adults to sit at the table.
They didn’t ask Roman Rowe to cook. Instead, Lily bought ready-made food from her ’mall.’ Otherwise, with so many mouths to feed, Roman Rowe would have cooked himself into an early grave.
It was a joyous meal for guest and host alike, and the five of them had a tacit understanding not to mention the topic of their earlier discussion again.
After dinner, the rain was still coming down. Lily Hart gave them a few raincoats—every little bit of cover helped.
As soon as Elder Shaw returned to Central Command, he went straight to his office and began drawing up a list of the Mysterious Clan’s minions.
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