Chapter 180
The father, the son, and their guard contacted the informer at once and agreed to meet him on the Stone territory. They were welcomed as dear guests. However, when the newcomers entered the luxurious central part, they had a bad feeling about it. The meetings were usually held in a secluded place.
The guests calmed down a bit after they met the informer. The man led them to the central headquarters and sent them straight to the main office, which shocked them beyond words. They could not show aggression or try to escape. The building was teeming with guards. Stefan had to come up with an ostensible logical tall tale on the way to the main office.
In the office, they found the elderly head of the family. The whole appearance of the patriarch inspired respect. Stephan got down to business right away.
It was strange indeed to offer Bai money for one of the Stones. Only a rotten person would sell a family member for one hundred thousand. On the other hand, there were at least two reasons to expect success. Firstly, the position of the Stone family was deplorable. They needed one hundred thousand. Secondly, the tall tale they had made up for the old man implied a reasonable, altruistic motive. Say, Kyon must publicly apologize for his dirty lies about his victory over Tsayan. It would also give the Stones a little honor. Besides, the kid would come back safe and sound! The Browns could hardly hold back laughter at their brazen deceit.
They were proud of their nice honorable offer: they promise not to cripple the boy, restore damaged family honor, and give a hundred thousand to boot! The patriarch must agree to that!
Of course, the boy wouldn't live. They would make up another story, for example, he died of fear, or crushed under the weight of guilt, or they might even ignore it and say nothing at all. It didn't matter. Bai would do nothing, anyway. His pathetic family was an old sick tiger whose life was hanging by a thread. No one respected them. They could hold a grudge till the last of them died. The old patriarch Stone meant nothing to the Browns.
The patriarch kindly listened to their tempting offer. He responded surprisingly with humor, laughter and understanding. He even offered the Browns a cup of tea to pa.s.s away the time while the servants brought in Kyon to make a deal.
What a greedy, naive idiot! The elders and Tsayan had expected anything from Bai but handing his family member over to the enemies? What a rotten b.a.s.t.a.r.d! The Browns rejoiced inwardly and at the same time, they despised the patriarch. He was a pathetic loser for them, whose destiny was to rot away.
The boy entered the patriarch's office.
«It's him! We've been looking for him, hhhha!» - Stephan laughed with a malicious look in his eyes. - «It was wise of you to hand us the boy,