Chapter 464

There was an unmistakable air of arrogance in Julian's tone. Few could command the kind of loyalty and authority he did. As the final preparations fell into place, the tension in the air grew heavier, like the calm before a storm. The night before the confrontation, Jack gathered every ally he could muster and threw a grand feast at a hotel. Dozens of tables were set, and the room buzzed with energy. Strong liquor flowed freely, and the men pounded their chests and swore they'd give it everything they had. At first light the next morning, Jack led his crew toward Vermilion Mountain. The contrast between their modest setup and Julian's side was stark. Julian's men arrived in a fleet of luxury cars. There were a few BMWs, Mercedes, Audis, and even high-end models like Ferraris and Bentleys. They were decked out in flashy gold chains, puffing on expensive cigarettes. They looked down on Jack's group like they were nothing more than a bunch of villagers and students, hardly wort