Darkstone Code-Chapter 957 - 955: Another Deal Closed

Before coming to the Federation, both Isabella and her father believed that Every Moment should still be under their control.

Even without controlling shares, as long as Every Moment wanted to maintain its previous development, it couldn’t do without Mariluo’s high-quality tobacco.

This completely placed both parties in an inequitable seller’s market, where demand exceeded supply, giving sellers the upper hand.

But now it seems that Lynch would rather suffer huge losses than continue trading with Mariluo, and this determination left Isabella somewhat desperate.

She had no idea how to persuade Lynch, nor did she know how to resolve this matter; it had gone beyond "Sapphire"’s capacity.

If others don’t want your goods, forced buying and selling won’t happen, what else can be done?

"We are very sincere. We have prepared enough tobacco, right on the border."

"With just one phone call, this tobacco can be delivered to factories in various states as quickly as possible. Within a week, your trouble will be solved."

"And what we need is just a fair and just trade!"

She appeared pitiful, portraying her weakness clearly, but Lynch did not change his mind because of her performance.

In fact, he even changed the subject, "Last time your brother also talked to me about similar things; do you know what he chose?"

Isabella was caught off guard by the sudden change of topic and took two seconds to react, "You mean... Sanchez?"

"Is he doing well now?"

In Mariluo, she wished Sanchez would die in the Federation, but now that she’s here too. She suddenly started praying Sanchez was doing well because that might be her fate.

Lynch nodded slightly, "He is living very well now, with good food and drink every day. His understanding of ’cooperation’ has already surpassed yours, Isabella, may I call you that?"

What else could Isabella do other than nod?

She pondered over the words Lynch said, "You just talked about cooperation?"

"Yes, cooperation," Lynch nodded, placing the empty cup on the coffee table. The maid soon refilled it with ice cubes and some liquor.

He looked at Isabella, "This time, your mission should be considered a failure, right?"

Isabella nodded again, her expression somewhat pitiful.

"Have you considered switching to a different cooperation method?"

Isabella shook her head, "I don’t understand what you’re saying."

"You understand!" Lynch grabbed the refilled cup with ice cubes and liquor; the cold sensation was excellent, and it remained so while drinking.

He took a small sip, keeping it in his mouth for a second or two before swallowing it, the alternating sense of heat and cold was quite an intriguing experience.

He put down the glass, his gaze invasive as he looked at Isabella sitting upright in front of him; from appearance, Isabella was more tall than the Fed people.

In terms of build and looks... Lynch would reassess when her hair grew back; overall, the impression was nice.

The kind of examining gaze, as if appraising a piece of merchandise, made Isabella extremely uncomfortable; she did not like this feeling.

After ending the invasive scrutiny, Lynch said casually, "In a while, your brother Sanchez will be returning to Mariluo."

"After he returns, your father will hunt him down, nearly killing him, but he’ll be saved by a Mariluo girl."

"It’s a beautiful story, and then your brother will make a decision that no one would have imagined."

Lynch pointed at Isabella with his hand holding the glass, using his index and middle fingers, "He decides to merge Mariluo people and Malory people, dissolving the hatred between the two tribes, he will marry that Mariluo girl, and oppose the tyrannical rule of the Malory warlords led by your father."

"Son against father, classic storyline in historical dramas. Don’t you plan to get involved?"

When Lynch mentioned the preceding sentences, Isabella nearly jumped up.

The general’s oppressive rule over these children always filled them with a fear toward him, with no real paternal or filial affection, only a strict hierarchical control.

Anyone who was disobedient or made a mistake would face punishment, including her.

There were two intersecting whip scars on her back, which she got around twelve or thirteen years old, when she encountered a Mariluo woman with a child begging by the roadside.

She kindly gave them some money, and because of this, her father hung her up and thrashed her three times.

Malory’s loss of power was due to the rebellion of the Mariluo people, and as part of the ruling class, Isabella was not supposed to show any kindness toward lowly Mariluo people.

The general even shot that mother and child dead in front of Isabella to indoctrinate her with such "twisted" thoughts.

Upon hearing the latter part, Isabella’s expression already turned somewhat grave.

She did not understand what kind of emotions she was feeling at this moment?

Surprise?

Sadness?

Anger?

Or something else.

She felt as if she had transcended a certain level, able to view the matter with a rational attitude after her shock.

"You can’t succeed, I know Sanchez, he’s very capable."

"He can spend the night in a snake-infested cave and complete an assassination with just a dagger, but he doesn’t have the ability to change Mariluo’s landscape."

"Soon, he will be eliminated by the General or other military forces; he’s challenging Mariluo’s rules."

Isabella didn’t see a bright future for Sanchez at all, not even hoping he had a chance to inherit the General’s legacy. On the contrary, she started to feel some... concern for her brother.

"No, you’re wrong!"

Lynch shook his head, "Because the Federation will support him in doing so. Not only will he not die, but he will soon become a new force within Mariluo. We will ensure he stays alive..."

The playful expression on his face was easily readable by anyone. Isabella frowned slightly, "Why are you telling me this?"

"Your brother said you are also keen on power. Don’t you see this as a great opportunity?"

Sanchez had discussed his only sister Isabella and her two younger brothers with the Security Committee. In his description, all his siblings had an almost instinctive desire and yearning for power.

The behavioral analysis experts at the Security Committee believed that this was triggered by the capriciousness and brutality the General always displayed, making those close to him uneasy.

They wanted to hold genuine power, so they could live longer around the General.

Sometimes, the General didn’t even need to directly eliminate someone. Just giving them a "task" they couldn’t complete, like assassinating a rival Warlord’s General, was essentially sending someone to die.

Because of the General’s brutality, Sanchez preferred to jump ship and attempt to solve the problem before returning, rather than bring back news of failure.

So much so, at the last moment, he’d rather surrender than return.

Security Committee behavioral analysis experts believed that except for Sanchez, others likely had the same thoughts and behavioral patterns. Survival is an instinct. They might not realize why they indulge in power, but it’s their instinctive choice.

Isabelle is likely the same.

"Is there any significance in telling me all this?" Isabella asked. She felt this wasn’t just simple communication, as Lynch wouldn’t share these secrets with her otherwise.

Lynch didn’t bother to hide it, "Someone asked me to talk to you, hoping you would join our camp as well."

"The Federation will provide you with funds, weapons, and even manpower to fight for you if necessary!"

Isabella raised an eyebrow, "You plan to invade?"

"Or cross the border?"

Lynch wagged a finger, "Neither. The operations will be handled by my people. You don’t need to know overly detailed matters. Just know that if you join us, you’ll soon have your own territory and your own forces."

"Many people will fight for you, and you will become an important figure in Mariluo’s history."

"No one can casually decide your fate; your future is entirely in your hands."

Lynch asked a maid to bring another glass of wine. He placed it in Isabella’s hand and clinked glasses, "Here’s a phrase for you, hoping you find some insight."

"Women hold up half the sky (even if it’s a woman, as long as she strives to do so, she can achieve great things not inferior to men)."

Isabella felt somewhat convinced, but she didn’t immediately show any stance.

"If I say... I mean, if I refuse to cooperate with you?" she wanted to hear this first, as it is a necessary process for many when persuading themselves.

Finding a worse outcome in comparison makes the initially bad result seem like a good one.

Lynch knew this too. He took a sip of wine, "You would be investigated by us for a while. Once Sanchez occupies some territories, we would release you."

"Then, there will be rumors targeting you, saying you actually collaborated with us, saying our condition for releasing you was to replace the General, saying..."

He shrugged, "Many things. Overall, these rumors might not truly get the General to kill you, but you would never reappear before people again."

Isabella could already imagine the scene then; her father would kill her!

She picked up the wine glass, looked at the ice cubes and the amber liquid inside, sighed slightly, and took a small sip.

"I thought you were just a Merchant!" she mocked Lynch.

Lynch didn’t mind, "If this identity can bring me more benefits, why should I refuse?"

He clinked glasses with Isabella again, "Happy cooperation."