Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 597: Chapter 598: Furious

These words were full of confrontation. Lei Zhen no longer lowered his head; he raised it and stared directly at Qiangwei.

Qiangwei's face finally showed anger. She hadn't expected Lei Zhen to openly defy her. In her extreme anger, she laughed, "It seems I've given too much power away, and some people have forgotten their place. Lei Zhen, are you trying to rebel?"

"I dare not, but I believe the President's decision is inappropriate!" Lei Zhen said harshly, "If the President insists on making me step down, then please convene a council meeting with all the hall masters and the managers in the society. Let everyone vote on this matter. If they believe my crime deserves such severe punishment, then I, Lei Zhen, will have no objection!"

A cold light flashed in Qiangwei's beautiful eyes. "Lei Zhen, what qualifications do you have to bargain with me, Situ Qiangwei? If it weren't for the fact that you once shed blood for the brothers in our society, I would have had you and your brother killed right here on the street today!"

No one doubted Qiangwei's words at that moment because the murderous intent in her eyes was evident!

Chen Rong, who had been anxious and uneasy, couldn't help but step forward and persuade, "Qiangwei Sis, Hall Master Lei wasn't fully aware of the situation. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Please forgive him this once; he has contributed a lot to the society over the years. Moreover, removing a hall master from such a large district suddenly will surely unsettle the brothers and sisters in the society."

Hearing Chen Rong intercede for Lei Zhen, Qiangwei's expression did not improve; instead, it grew even more severe. She glanced coldly at Chen Rong and said, "I remember I haven't handed over the position of President to you, right? Why do you seem more concerned about the society than I am?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Rong's pretty face turned pale. She lowered her head in fear and didn't dare to say another word.

Meanwhile, Lei Zhen, whose expression had been shifting between anger and resignation, saw Chen Rong speaking for him and appeared thoughtful.

Seeing Chen Rong lower her head, Qiangwei didn't say more to her. Instead, she turned to Lei Zhen and said, "I've said enough. If you and your brother haven't left by tomorrow, don't blame me, Situ Qiangwei, for being ruthless. It's been a long time since my hands were stained with the blood of our own people, Lei Zhen. Think it over carefully."

After speaking, Qiangwei turned to Yang Chen, who was silently eating his lamb skewers, and said, "Honey, let's go home."

Yang Chen nodded. He didn't want to get involved in the matter. To him, the fate of the Red Thorns Society was irrelevant as long as his woman was safe.

"Wait a minute!" Lei Zhen suddenly shouted, "President, you've forced me into this!"

Yang Chen and Qiangwei stopped and turned to look at Lei Zhen, who was now filled with determination.

Lei Zhen, at some point, had pulled out a black Type 92 pistol and was pointing it at Qiangwei!

"Ah! It's a gun!"

Even though these gangsters had gathered on the street, and no one dared to get close, many shop owners and pedestrians were watching from afar. When they saw Lei Zhen pull out a real gun, ordinary people who had never seen live firearms panicked and screamed.

In an instant, the street turned into chaos. The passersby scattered and fled, afraid that if a fight broke out, they might get caught in the crossfire, which could be fatal!

"Lei Zhen, are you crazy! Put the gun down!"

Chen Rong, who had been silent, also panicked and hurriedly tried to persuade him, "Hall Master Lei, don't do anything foolish! This is not a joke!"

Lei Zhen sneered, "I know this is not a joke. Miss Chen, don't worry; I, Lei Zhen, appreciate your help. Since it has come to this, and the President is so stubborn, I, Lei Zhen, am not a pushover. Over the years, I have earned my position with blood and sweat, and if the President insists on stripping me of everything for one mistake, I, Lei Zhen, refuse to accept it!"

Qiangwei showed no trace of tension. "Do you think this will change anything? Ridiculous," she said. "I've been aimed at with a gun before. With Yang Chen here, your gun means nothing."

Lei Zhen replied, "Whether it changes anything, I know. Today, it's do or die. The men here are my most trusted confidants. If I give the order, no matter how skilled you are, you won't escape this district. I have that ability, and I believe the President knows it. If the President swears to retract the order and not pursue today's incident, I will respect the President and not make things difficult."

Qiangwei smirked, "Do you think I'm the kind of person who doesn't mean what I say? Actually, you're more scared of me than anyone else. Otherwise, you would have pulled the trigger already. Why all this talk?"

Lei Zhen's face turned red with anger. He said resentfully, "President, you have pushed me too far. Very well, I have a proposal. In the past two years, you have single-handedly developed the Red Thorns Society into a dominant force in Zhonghai. You have achieved great success and should enjoy the fruits of your labor. Now, your successor, Miss Chen Rong, has already shown great leadership. Although she is not yet your equal, her progress has been rapid. Moreover, Miss Chen Rong has a good relationship with us hall masters of the major districts, and we all support her to become the next President."

Hearing this, Chen Rong couldn't hide her panic. She bit her lip tightly, looking at Qiangwei in distress and glancing occasionally at Yang Chen, who remained silent.

Qiangwei gave Chen Rong a meaningful look before saying, "So, you want me to step down and let Rongrong take my place?"

"That's right. For the past six months, Miss Chen Rong has been involved in managing the society's affairs and has done an excellent job. We've all seen it. Since the President has a good successor, it's better to make a decision now," Lei Zhen said passionately, "As long as the President agrees to convene an internal meeting, step down, and hand over power to Miss Chen, I, Lei Zhen, am willing to assist Miss Chen in consolidating her position!"

"Enough! Lei Zhen! What does your crazy idea have to do with me? Put the gun down now! Have you lost your mind? How dare you point a gun at the President?" Chen Rong finally couldn't hold back any longer. Her fear turned into anger, making her explode with rage.

She was no longer the naive girl who had just arrived in Zhonghai. In nearly a year, under Qiangwei's guidance, her abilities and demeanor had greatly improved. Especially since Qiangwei had delegated power to her, she had maintained an elegant and composed image to avoid being underestimated. But at this moment, she could no longer maintain her composure and screamed out loud.

Lei Zhen was also taken aback. In his view, his suggestion was undoubtedly in Chen Rong's best interest.

Since Qiangwei had groomed Chen Rong as her successor, and Chen Rong had been working hard to build good relations with the hall masters of various districts, she must be eager to become the President. However, Qiangwei was still very young. Even though she had recently stepped back from daily management, it could take decades before she officially stepped down.

Chen Rong, surely, would be impatient. Who would want to wait until they were old to get the position they desired? By then, how many years would they have left to serve?

Now was an excellent opportunity for Chen Rong to rise to power. Qiangwei had come alone into Lei Zhen's territory without any backup. Lei Zhen had the manpower and the weapons. Capturing Qiangwei by force wasn't difficult.

Was Chen Rong so afraid of Qiangwei that she wouldn't dare take advantage of this golden opportunity? Or was she worried that ascending in this manner wouldn't gain the support of others?

Lei Zhen couldn't understand. If Chen Rong took over the most elite forces of the Red Thorns Society, she would be capable of quelling any dissent even without assistance.

Knowing the allure of the President's position and seeing Chen Rong pleading for him, Lei Zhen believed that helping Chen Rong would be mutually beneficial. If Chen Rong didn't have ambitions to ascend, why would she risk Qiangwei's wrath to plead for him? Wasn't it to ensure the support of the society's elders for her future leadership?