The Woman From Hell

"You find this amusing, President Zeke."

The matter between Theo and I had become the talk of the town. It would be quite difficult for one not to know.

Gareth looked at me, tenderness appearing in his eyes. "We've not met, have we, President Lane?"

"No. This would be our first meeting." I nodded.

He was speaking in a much softer tone now. "You look very much like an old friend of mine."

Of course, I knew who he meant by this 'old friend', yet I could not say anything.

Pretending to be confused, I asked, "What an honor. I wonder who this old friend of yours is?"

A cloud of mist shrouded Gareth's eyes. He looked as if he was recalling something. He came back to his senses after a while. Recovering his demeanor, Gareth shook his head and responded, "It's nothing. You've never met me, President Lane. Neither have you worked with Zeke Shimmer before. I wonder what's the purpose of your visit?"

Seeing Conner behind him, I was a little suspicious.

He could tell I was hesitant and smiled as he said, "He's a trusted person of mine. There's no harm saying what you wish, President Lane."

trusted him, he probably had

started, "I won't hold back, then. What I want to discuss with you has to do with the

Gareth's expression changed vastly, and he turned

think Gareth would ask him to leave and was stunned for a moment.

and

expression was not as good as before, Gareth's voice chilled. "Who

a sudden, I knew then he still harbored hatred for the Yards. Yet why had he

me. I want to discuss forming an alliance with you to go up

aback by my words, and his eyes narrowed as they became filled with concern. "Go up against the Yard

myself with other forces in order to go up against them." "The Yards is a

just a

some past grudges with the Yards, yet you've done nothing for so many years. So I came here to meet with

you

form an alliance with

me?"

shook his head

matter what. Even if I were to form