Chapter 5 A hundred And Fifty Million

The silence engulfed the bustling hall abruptly.

Every gaze was drawn to a single point.

Dozens of soldiers, donned in dark green and fully armed, appeared at the bar's entrance.

They formed two lines, creating an unobstructed corridor.

An involuntary hush fell over the crowd.

A moment later, a young man entered, his steps measured.

Dressed in a military uniform, he stood tall, his posture rigid and his features sharply defined. His formidable presence was a silent warning to maintain distance, his mere look sending a chill through the onlookers.

Adorning his shoulder was a seven-star medal, globally unique and a symbol of unrivaled honor and authority.

Such distinction belonged solely to Rodger Barnett, the celebrated and valorous head of the Barnett family.

One spectator was quick to react. He bowed low and greeted Rodger, "Commissioner Barnett!"

His action triggered a ripple effect, with everyone in the bar swiftly bowing in awe to Rodger.

Yet, Kaelyn and Landen stood unaffected.

Kaelyn watched Rodger, her eyes widening in astonishment.

Rodger, a figure of legends, had remained elusive. Since her marriage into the Barnett family three years prior, Kaelyn had only glimpsed him once from afar at a family gathering. His presence here was wholly unexpected.

Feeling Kaelyn's stare, Rodger gave her a fleeting look before diverting his eyes.

"Take him away," he commanded.

"At once, sir," came the immediate response.

Promptly, the soldiers moved to Kolton, who had been sprawled on the floor out of shock, and hoisted him to his feet.

Kolton shivered with fear, his voice quaking as he implored, "Commissioner Barnett, I beg of you, show mercy!"

Despite his pleas, they fell on deaf ears, his cries dwindling until they vanished into the silence.

The patrons of the bar, paralyzed with terror, quietly edged toward the exit.

Before long, the once bustling establishment resembled a deserted shore at low tide, with only a handful of onlookers remaining.

Wiping the perspiration from his brow, Landen managed to muster some courage as he stepped forward. "Uncle Rodger, to what do we owe the honor of your visit?"

Rodger gave him a brief glance but offered no reply. He continued forward to confront Sebastian. "I heard you have news about Egret?"

Sebastian, who usually stood tall, found himself shrinking slightly under Rodger's intimidating gaze.

He instinctively glanced at Kaelyn beside him.

Catching the unspoken dialogue, Rodger shifted his attention to Kaelyn and inquired, "You hold the details?"

Pausing, as though a memory was surfacing, he narrowed his eyes subtly. "We've met before, haven't we? Are you Landen's wife?"

"Yes," Kaelyn replied, disregarding Landen's desperate gestures to remain silent, her voice steady. "But we've already decided to divorce."

"Decided to divorce?"

Rodger's eyebrow arched as he was taken aback by her revelation.

That slight lift of his brow led Landen to envision numerous troubling outcomes.

Seething with irritation, Landen interjected, "Uncle Rodger, pay no mind to her. It's merely a minor squabble, hardly grounds for divorce."

Rodger's response was a measured silence.

Unable to decipher his thoughts, Landen persisted, "Before we married, my wife had no known family or background. Surely she has no connections to Egret. She's merely trying to tarnish my reputation out of spite. Don't let her deceive you!"

"Indeed, Kaelyn is quite the manipulator. Uncle Rodger, take her words with a grain of salt," added Verena.

Witnessing the siblings unite against Kaelyn, Claire decided to add fuel to the fire. She approached Kaelyn and said, "Kaelyn, this isn't wise. Quarreling with Landen is one thing, but making a fuss over a trifle is another. You should apologize to Commissioner Barnett."

"Hmm," Kaelyn chuckled, unphased by the accusations. "I haven't even mentioned knowing Egret, and yet here you are, ready to blame me?"

Claire was momentarily speechless, her expression one of sympathy towards Landen.

Just as Landen opened his mouth to rebuke Kaelyn, Rodger's icy tone cut through the tension, addressing him directly. "I remember that after your accident, Kaelyn devoted three years to your care. Regardless of your current grievances, such disdain is unwarranted, especially while you entertain the company of another woman during your marriage."

A shiver ran through Landen. He was left speechless, absorbing the admonition in silence.

Rodger's stern demeanor softened as he turned to Kaelyn. "When Landen awoke, it was nothing short of a miracle. Perhaps you do have a connection to Egret. I have a close associate who's been comatose since an accident. Name your price - if you can arrange a meeting with Egret, I will pay it."

Kaelyn's eyebrow arched, amused by the offer.

As expected of the leader who held the reins of global military power, he was indeed wealthy. It seemed the mysterious force Sebastian mentioned earlier was likely backed by him.

Though the proposal was enticing, Kaelyn was reluctant to deepen ties with the Barnett family. She pondered briefly before responding, "A hundred and fifty million dollars. If you agree to that sum, I'll make the introduction to Egret, though I can't promise their cooperation."