Chapter 114: The Fringe War - 01
She felt very strange when Atherna looked at her—it was like the feeling of being someone’s favorite cake... or perhaps, like a predator eyeing its prey.
"Err... Miss Athel. Do you... do you need something?" Rebecca asked, feeling a little awkward. This was the first time she had spoken to the sister-in-law of the man she admired.
"Yes, there is!" Atherna responded with a smile.
"W-What do you need?" Rebecca asked nervously.
"How about we have a private talk—share some time over a cup of coffee?" Atherna suggested.
"Ye... yes... Athel." Rebecca nodded unconsciously, even though she still felt nervous.
Even though she was hot-headed and occasionally spouted profanities, dealing with an in-law was a whole new experience.
She followed Atherna to the private booth without saying a word, unsure of what was to come.
— The Fringe —
Maximilian arrived at the Fringe—an ever-chaotic place, yet with a slight semblance of order layered above the madness plaguing it.
He came as Maximilian, without any disguise, and could already feel several pairs of eyes monitoring him even before he stepped into the area. He could bet those eyes belonged to Strauss’s people.
Maximilian looked around until he spotted one of Ricardo’s men lingering near the area they were contracted to protect. The man wore a purple Hawaiian shirt—the unofficial uniform of Ricardo’s gang. Maximilian didn’t recognize his face, likely a new recruit.