Chapter 1474
“There are too many people to bribe, and the intermediary channels are filthy. If the identity shell isn’t clean enough and those mad dogs on the ship find out, the implications will be disastrous. One wrong move, and my life could be forfeit p>
“And p>
“Fifty million dollars,” Julian cut him off.
The voice abruptly stopped, seemingly hesitating, but eventually sighed. “My friend,
it’s not that I don’t want to help, it’s just p>
“One hundred million.” Julian remained silent, simply raising the price.
The line fell silent once more.
Then, the broker’s tone morphed into an enthusiasm so bright it completely obliterated his previous reluctance.
His laughter rang out, crystal clear. “Sold! My dearest Joker, your generosity knows no bounds p>
“While this pass is indeed agonizingly difficult to procure, since the great Joker is asking personally, I’ll flip the hideouts of every old fox in the black market if I have to. I will get it done p>
Julian’s gaze was entirely devoid of warmth. “I need it by tomorrow night at the latest. The bound identity cannot have any traceable links to my current dossier p>
The broker laughed. “Loud and clear p>
“Relax. For a hundred million dollars, I will execute this beautifully. I promise you, that ticket will be cleaner than if it were baptized in holy water p>
Unable to contain his curiosity, the man added, “But seriously, what is the play on Project Zero-Transit? For the world’s reigning arms dealer, Joker, to step out of the shadows personally… this has to be colossal p>
Julian’s eyes were frigid. He offered a noncommittal hum. “There is a major play, yes p>
The broker buzzed with excitement. “I knew it. Anything that pulls Joker out into the open has to be spectacular p>
Julian’s voice was polite. “If you deliver, there will be a twenty-million-dollar bonus afterward p>
“Under the strict condition that the ticket and the identity are completely foolproof.” The broker practically cheered. “Oh, Joker! You are officially the greatest friend a man could ask for! Don’t you worry, with that kind of funding, nothing is a problem. Just sit tight and wait for my good news. I swear on my reputation, it will be flawless p>
Julian replied dryly, “Your reputation is worthless p>
The broker groaned. Joker, you’re as charming as ever p>
Julian didn’t engage.
The broker was used to the icy treatment. Factoring in the hundred million upfront and the twenty-million-dollar bonus, he magnanimously offered a final warning. “By the way, my friend, do you happen to know where Project Zero-Transit is anchoring this time p>
Julian looked out the window.
The Lancaster estate was swallowed by the dark night.
He spoke slowly. “I do. Whitecliffe Harbor p>
“Oh… well, that is an absolutely abysmal hellhole.” The broker clicked fus tongue “In that case, Joker… I wish you the best of luck p>
“May God watch over you, and may l live long enough to collect my
beautiful twenty-million-dollar el
bonus p>
Julian abruptly ended the call.
He stood by the window, the phone still gripped in his hand, unmoving for a very long time.
The darkness outside was suffocating.
Like the surface of a bottomless ocean.
His gentle features slowly shed all emotion, leaving only a profound, freezing calculation.
Board the ship together in three days?
No.
His sister could not step foot in a place like that.
Hazel couldn’t either.
Instead of watching from the sidelines, it was better if he entered the fray himself.
In a hellhole like Whitecliffe Harbor, he would never let Serena stand on the front lines.
Nor could he let his two younger brothers or Nicholas take the vanguard.
Over the past twenty years, the Lancaster family had owed their little sister far too much.
As her brother, he had failed to shield her from the storms during her childhood This time, it was his
tube the first to board that
ghost ship.
He would scrub every last trace of danger completely clean.
He was the eldest brother.
There were some paths he was always meant to walk first.