Chapter 250: 250
Malcolm couldn’t remember the last time he got some proper sleep . Once he realized that Redmond was the enemy, he wasted no time coming up with a plan to deal with him . However, that wasn’t Malcolm’s biggest problem right now, as he would need to stabilize the increasingly volatile black-market alliance once Redmond was out of the game .
Most outsiders viewed the black-market alliance as an invincible and impenetrable force . As one of it’s founding fathers, Malcolm secretly knew that its foundations were weak and crumbling . No matter how robust the system was, solving every internal conflict that arose within its core would be impossible . This was where Redmond’s influence came in handy, something the system couldn’t do .
Every black-market merchant had their own cliques and factions, and naturally, some were hostile to each other . Malcolm wasn’t the right person to balance power and resolve their conflicts since held only been in Nassau for a few years . When it came to matters like this, he still had to rely on Redmond . After all, Redmond was one of the eldest and most experienced black-market merchants in Nassau .
This was why Malcolm was in charge of the alliance’s operations while Redmond became its leader . Within two or three years, Malcolm would have built a strong reputation within the alliance, and Redmond would be kicked out of the game . He was even confident that he could take over all his tasks within a year . Owing to that, he was surprised that Redmond would turn against him a lot earlier than expected .
At this point, the two could never go back to how they were before . Redmond knew that the longer he dragged things on, the more unfavorable his situation would be . To him, Carina, Malcolm’s rival, was the wildcard in this game, and it would be unsurprising if he decided to secretly take action on her . That said, Redmond failed to keep it a secret from Malcolm
Malcolm’s priority, as of now, was to find a way to kick Redmond out of Nassau, and at the same time, ensure that the operation would cause minimal effects on the alliance .
Malcolm wrote down the names of a few influential black-market merchants on a piece of paper, supposed candidates for Redmond’s replacement . It wasn’t until late that night that he went to bed . Not too long after he fell asleep, he was awakened by some loud shouting and rapid thumps of footsteps outside his room . Such actions were typically forbidden inside the manor . Instantly, Malcolm’s eyes popped open as he jumped out of bed . At that time, someone knocked at his door .
“Come in!”
Wallace pushed the door open and stormed into the room .
“What’s going on outside? What’s with that loud noise?” asked a frowning Malcolm while hastily changing his attire .
“The slaves are rioting! They’ve set fire to the barn and our wood and cotton warehouses!”
“How many of them?!”
“I can’t come up with a number right now, but I believe more than half of our slaves are in it . They are all armed mainly with stones they picked, and knives from the kitchen . But there are some with daggers and guns . On the bright side, they have at most, two or three guns with them . I’ve sent for a team to protect you, and I’ve also rushed a messenger to get help from other plantations . Once their men arrive, we should be more secure . ”
Once Malcolm put on his proper attire and shoes, he walked out to the balcony and instantly saw the fires that were raging nearby . It seemed that a new fight had just broken out at another spot . It was just like what Wallace said, the black slaves had the numbers, but the guards were better equipped . As of now, the guards were holding up well . Not too long after that, the supervisors joined the brawl as well .
Getting assistance in crushing the dissent should be a breeze too . Managing the slaves had been a constant headache for landowners like Malcolm, and as he shared a good rapport with a few plantations, they would inevitably run to his aid in a time like this . Malcolm’s confidence was boosted, and he wasn’t too worried about the ever-growing riots around his manor . Even when Wallace told about the massive losses they had suffered, he seemed unconcerned .
Malcolm was trying to figure if the riots had something to do with Redmond . If it did, what was he hoping to achieve? How did he convince so many to work for him?
A handful of slaves had attempted to escape Terrance Manor before, but a riot of this scale was unprecedented . It would have been a massive undertaking, not to mention that with so many being involved, the secret was bound to be spilled somehow . Most slaves weren’t petite as well, and they could be easily spotted . There was no place they could hide even if they escaped successfully . Malcolm was also baffled by how the slaves got their hands on the daggers and guns . All these questions could only be answered after the riots were over . He knew one thing for sure, though . Daisy wasn’t the snitch .
Soon, they received updates that the slaves were moving toward the ranches, a spot that was poorly defended . If that were to be the case, the guards might actually be on the losing end . Once the horses were set free, the situation would only become more chaotic and eventually get out of hand . So with Malcolm’s permission, Wallace and his men scrambled to the ranch hoping to stop a horse stampede .
Wallace was running when he suddenly stopped in his tracks . It dawned on him that fierce fighting was happening at three different locations around the manor . One place, however, had been unusually quiet tonight . It was in the fields where the torture chamber was .
“Cunning little pieces of shit!”
Wallace reloaded his rifle, and with a scowl, turned to the plantation . From afar, the body of the supervisor guarding the room could be seen lying on the ground . Several knives were sticking out of his back like bristles . Meanwhile, a black man was dragging Nadya out of the room .
Wallace pulled the trigger, the bullet missing its target and landing on a nearby barrel instead .
Startled, the black man fell to the ground as he dropped Nadya . Wallace’s men had also started shooting as well . Desperate to save his own life, he left Nadya and ran back to the torture room . At the same time, Leah heard gunshots as well . She was right behind the black man . As for Lola, she was carrying Daisy and was behind Leah . They were joined by four women and two men who had previously been slaves at the plantation .
Earlier, a few slaves were in a fight with a supervisor, and one woman survived with light injuries . Those were their only people left still capable of fighting . As for Wallace, he had five guards with him, and four were armed with guns . Creeping slowly and quietly to the torture room, they hoped to take their targets by surprise . Just as they were about to reach, they were greeted by a loud gunshot, followed by the loud thud of a guard dropping to the ground . Wallace and the rest quickly crouched as low as possible; the casualty only turning them more cautious . What they didn’t know was that Leah only had one gun, and she had just shot her last round .
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