Female Novel
Chapter 328 The Front-Runner
Chapter 328 The Front-runner
"Yes, sir!" Wally nodded vigorously and then looked at the other side, speaking loudly.
"First, the Riley clan ordered an attack that wiped out all the members of the Dittman family, andafter that, they killed the individuals they hired to carry out the attack to cover their tracks."
"Second, they conspired with members of Ink Pavilion, resulting in the deaths of four of ourSHADOW operatives and the severe injury of our SHADOW Honorary Elder, Ebony Lord."
"Both of these offenses are grave crimes."
"Now, do you understand?" Billy looked at Ralph Riley and spoke calmly.
"So you are referring to this matter. I only heard about it last night!" Ralph Riley exhaled deeply andcontinued in a tone of sorrow.
"It's truly unfortunate for our family. All of this was the work of my wayward brother, Piers Riley, whoacted behind our backs."
"Yesterday, upon learning the news, I considered sending someone to have him apprehended andsend him to SHADOW, but then I heard that he had already met his fate, so I dropped the idea."
Being the head of a clan, Ralph easily distanced the Riley clan from the situation. To him, uponhearing the news of his younger brother's death, he had initially wanted to avenge him immediately.However, upon learning that Commander Gardner was personally handling the matter, he had achange of heart - considering the current strength of the Riley clan, he had no confidence inconfronting the King of the West head-on. In fact, it was likely that no one within the region's clans
dared to openly challenge him. Of course, taking covert actions behind the scenes was a differentmatter.
So, after careful consideration, Ralph had made the decision he was now presenting. In any case,Piers Riley was already dead for him. He could now shift all the blame onto Piers and deal withseeking revenge for him after this incident was over.
"Is that so?" After hearing Ralph's words, Billy's eyes narrowed slightly. "These two offenses areboth significant. Just executing Piers Riley may not be enough."
"Commander Gardner..." Ralph began but was interrupted.
"Wally, tell him what the punishment is for both of these offenses combined." Billy raised his voiceand said.
"According to SHADOW regulations, the punishment is to exterminate the clan." Wally repliedloudly.
"Hmm?" Ralph frowned slightly, and after a brief pause, he looked at Billy. "Commander Gardner,isn't this a bit too hasty?"
"Hasty?" Billy responded coldly. "I'm afraid the charge of conspiring with Ink Pavilion alone isenough for exterminating the whole clan. If you don't believe me, do you want to call the capital andask?"
Ralph Riley had been too optimistic, thinking that they could shift the blame onto a dead person toresolve the crisis. Even if Billy didn't exterminate their clan, he would certainly force Ralph Riley intoa corner.
Ralph Riley let out a heavy breath, trying to control his emotions. "Commander Gardner, to expressthe apologies of the Riley clan, I am willing to offer 10 billion as compensation, and I hope you can
show mercy."
"I seems like you are quite wealthy, casually offering 10 billion," Billy smiled faintly. "However, it's apity that for such serious crimes, money won't be enough."
"Commander Gardner, please spare some leniency. Mr Riley has already made concessions.Shouldn't you also consider moderation?" At this moment, a middle-aged man by Ralph Riley's sidespoke in a deep voice.
"Silence, you have no say here!" Frostblade interrupted with a cold snort.
"Insolent!" A bald man behind the middle-aged man angrily shouted, "Mr Newton is from the CapitalDefense Bureau. Apologize now!"
"Is the Capital Defense Bureau that great?" Wally spoke in a low voice. "They have nothing better todo, always trying to meddle in everything. A bunch of parasites who don't know what they're doing."
"You! I think you're looking for trouble!" The bald man roared and was about to charge at Wally.
"Stop!" Archer Newton said in a deep voice, restraining him. Then, he continued to look at Billy."Commander Gardner, I am somewhat familiar with this matter as well. It was indeed the personalactions of Piers Riley. It has nothing to do with other members of the Riley clan. I hope CommanderGardner..."
"What's your name?" Billy interrupted him.novelbin
"I am Byron Clayton from the Capital Defense Bureau." The middle-aged man replied after a slightpause.
"Are you expressing your personal opinion or representing the Capital Defense Bureau?" Billycontinued to inquire.
"What... what do you mean?" Byron Clayton's heart skipped a beat.
"Answer my question!" Billy's tone grew stern.
"I... I am from the Capital Defense Bureau, so my opinion represents the Capital Defense Bureau..."Byron replied after taking a deep breath.
"Very well," Billy said before ignoring him. He took out his phone and immediately dialed EbenezerRowe's number, putting it on speakerphone.
"Commander Gardner!" Ebenezer Rowe's voice came through the phone after a single ring.
Upon hearing this voice, Byron Clayton's right eyelid twitched several times, and he felt a sense ofunease.
"Rowe, there's a person named Byron Clayton in the Capital Defense Bureau, do you know him?"Billy asked.
"Byron Clayton?" Ebenezer Rowe paused slightly and then said, "Yes, I know him. He's aninspector at the Capital Defense Bureau. What's going on?"
"He said his words can represent the Capital Defense Bureau, so I called to confirm with you ifthat's true. If it is, I'll handle it accordingly." Billy replied calmly.
On the other end of the phone, Ebenezer Rowe's wrist trembled, and his phone fell to the ground.He wasn't a fool. Although he didn't know what had happened, he knew for sure that Byron Clayton,that bastard, had provoked Commander Gardner, whose call was both a warning and anopportunity. Without much thought, he quickly picked up the phone and spoke with a tremblingvoice, "Commander Gardner, I apologize sincerely, whatever happened, I... I apologize first!"
"Furthermore, starting from now, Byron Clayton is no longer associated with the Capital DefenseBureau. You can deal with him as you see fit. He has no further ties to our organization."
"Very well," Billy said and hung up the phone.
Upon hearing this, Byron Clayton slumped to the ground, trembling all over. His face was filled withdespair. Just because of a single sentence he had said, he had lost his official position-the positionhe had worked so hard for his entire life. This was a position he had finally achieved after decadesof effort.
"Commander Gardner, I'm sorry, please..." He crawled to Billy's feet, shaking all over.
"I shouldn't have meddled in other people's business. Please, please give me another chance..."
"Take him away!" Without waiting for Billy to speak, Frostblade waved her hand. "I suspect he'srelated to several other cases. Take him back for a thorough investigation. If any wrongdoing isfound, punish him severely!"
"Yes!" Wally Hammond nodded vigorously.
"No, please!" Byron Clayton shivered and desperately shouted. Although he knew that Frostbladehad simply made up an excuse. If he were truly taken away by SHADOW, his crime of losing hisofficial position would be the least of his concerns.