Chapter 69: Live Performance

Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Live Performance

Not just the netizens getting hyped—even Lynn Miller, Kyle Beckett, and Miles Yates believed it. Taylor and Brown were wild types: when Wendy Aldridge and Zara Chapman tried talking to them a few times, they’d just nod politely then rudely start talking among themselves, treating the women like they were invisible.

But these guys were absurdly respectful toward Renee Morgan, totally acting like wage slaves. If Renee wasn’t the big boss, who else dared claim that title?

Zayed snapped to attention, walked up to Renee Morgan, and bowed respectfully: "Renee, they’re The Godfather’s men. My father used to compete with them in business, but he lost and pulled out midway. Their people still hold grudges, always looking for a chance to get revenge."

He said it in English. Renee Morgan took a while to process, finally getting the gist, her eyes coldly fixed on them, lips barely pink, spitting out: "Too much!"

Taylor and Brown were taken aback by her aura, shooting hostile looks at Zayed and the others, lips curling in contempt. Their attitude screamed, "We’ve got a big boss, everyone else just doesn’t measure up."

The gang hesitated for a moment, wondering if this striking woman really was the leader of that faction.

Zayed caught their hesitation, calmly spoke up: "Aren’t you curious how we managed to get in here?"

The other guys glared at him, eyebrows knotted—this kid suddenly had backup and got all cocky. In the past, seeing them, not just Zayed but even his father would bow and submit.

Honestly, none of them expected to run into Zayed and his crew in the base’s forest. Because not everyone can get in. Even for themselves, The Godfather had to beg and fight for years before scoring a few slots.

Everyone knew exactly what Zayed and his father were about. They’ve been hustling in Merrick for years, made some money, scraped by, but backing from big powers? Definitely not. Otherwise, why would they flee like rats whenever The Godfather’s people showed up?

But now they’d managed to cozy up to this kind of power, and even got quota slots for the base forest? None of them saw that coming.

Zayed ignored their gloomy expressions and said, "We got in because Renee’s faction supplied us the quota. Plus, we’re participating in the base games—yeah, the competition. And whether we win prize money or not, we’ve all got the right to go in and out of the base."

Sure, there’s a time limit, but this privilege is more than enough.

When Zayed was saying all this, he switched to the local dialect—not English, way harder to understand. Miles Yates was frowning, let alone Renee Morgan.

But the others got it. Taylor and Brown understood, and looked at Renee Morgan with fear and new respect.

Renee Morgan: "..."

The live-stream audience was crowd-funding overnight, hunting for translation everywhere online.

The in-the-know netizens just went silent.

But those guys clearly weren’t so easy to fool. Looks like Renee Morgan and her crew might be in for a rough night—so much for three days and nights, they could get knocked out tonight.

The opposing gang obviously wasn’t here for friendly chit-chat. Each of them reeked of bloody violence—you had to wonder if they were international assassins. If they found out Renee Morgan deceived them, her fate might not be any better than Zayed’s crew.

For a moment, netizens everywhere were sweating bullets for Renee Morgan.

The haters piped up again.

[These people are all dangerous elements from Merrick. Renee Morgan hanging with Zayed is like playing with fire. She’s asking for it! Serves her right!]

[Quick, check the trending searches! The whole internet’s waiting to see Renee Morgan get pummeled. So satisfying, seriously.]

[Sigh, a newbie in the entertainment industry. Would it kill her to just act properly? Some people just want attention and clicks. Look at Wendy Aldridge—that’s how a decent person handles things. But hey, in today’s world, poverty gets mocked, not prostitution. Someone like Renee Morgan can actually get famous? What a disaster for the entertainment scene.]

[...]

Foreign netizens seemed pretty chill; lots could understand and instantly started translating in the live chat.

The foreigners were calm too: "Renee’s faction is just Z’s faction!"—perfect translation. Renee’s from Z Country, so of course it’s her faction.

Chinese netizens went quiet for the first time. Turns out the foreigners are clever, clear-headed—not hopeless at all.

This show really is supported by the Z faction. Renee Morgan is just a rookie in showbiz, a guest contestant. Zayed said what he did deliberately, clearly trying to mislead the others.

Taylor and Brown heard Zayed say their team could take part in the base games and freely enter and exit the base thanks to Renee Morgan’s faction. Both looked shocked, their gazes at Renee Morgan suddenly full of longing.

Even though they also held those quotas, it was gifted by their backend boss. So does it mean Renee Morgan’s standing equals their own boss?

Renee Morgan: "..." What the hell did Zayed say? Why does everyone look at her like she’s a juicy steak?

Zayed wasn’t lying though. They really did get their entry slot from Renee Morgan’s faction: the crew and coaches are all on her side (Z Country nationals), he didn’t lie. As for the base games—those are show requirements; freedom of movement within the base is written in their contract. Within the agreed period, they absolutely have that right.

How the others interpret it, and whatever they imagine, is a whole other story.

The powers in Merrick are tangled and complicated—Mercenary Guilds are a dime a dozen, a common type of professional gang that sells out to big shot factions. They’re brash, but very careful: they know who they can mess with—and who’s untouchable.

Obviously, what Zayed said about the base games and free movement—those are things even The Godfather couldn’t get for his people. He only managed to secure entry to the forest as a task. If they failed to obtain a base pass, the punishment would be serious. So "Renee Morgan" is clearly someone they can’t afford to offend.

They’re salty about it, but everyone here’s got a mission. Mess up and The Godfather will have their heads—no hope for survival.

In the crew, their highest-ranking Hall Master stepped forward and saluted Renee Morgan, voice still dripping with arrogance: "Renee, Zack’s young and foolish. We elders just want to teach the kid how to behave. Hope you’ll stay out of it..."

Just then, Taylor took out a military knife and handed it to Renee Morgan.

Renee Morgan had no clue what Taylor was up to—no way he wanted her to put on a live show and stab someone, right?

She’s a law-abiding citizen. No way she’d ever do something like that.