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With the closing of Underground Cave, Marcel announced to all his members that there would be no more payroll and benefits for the members. All would only be paid based on their work guarding Redvalley Street. It was also with low fees, because the fee rates they provide to Redvalley residents were not big.

Fortunately, Marcel had bought his headquarters building from the start. But they had to start to save on the cost of the building. Marcel even laid off almost all of his office workers because he couldn’t afford to pay them anymore. Marcel sold his two private cars and used the money as severance pay for the members he laid off.

“I’m releasing all of you. Red Jack Commander is no longer detaining anyone. There will be no penalty or threats for members leaving. You need not worry. I will still give you the final paycheck,” Marcel said while he was standing on a small stage in the basement of his headquarters building, facing hundreds of his men.

On Marcel’s sides, all of his core team members stood with gloomy faces. The Red Jack Commander did not collapse, but it did shrink. The group was no longer the same as before.

“Red Jack Commander has returned to its original duty, which is to protect Redvalley Street. We will not take advantage of them. Therefore, if you are looking for money or power here, this is not the place for you anymore. Please, you all know where the exit door is.” Marcel said again.

One by one, the members started to leave. Marcel was still standing sturdy, watching the members he had worked so hard to gather, were now leaving him. The RJC group that he had enlarged was now shrinking again.

Of the more than four hundred members, now there were less than a hundred. Marcel looked at the rest of the members who were still standing tall in front of him. So, out of so many people, only this few were truly loyal to him? Of the many men, it was only a handful of people who really did not expect the benefits of RJC.

Then Marcel turned to his core members. “That includes you, gentlemen. I’ve let you all go. Now you can leave.”

.....

Kenny, Renu, Vico, and Damian looked directly at Marcel with furrowed brows. Their faces had clear expressions of disbelief.

Marcel chuckled. “Hey.. It’s not like our brotherhood is over. This group really can’t do anything anymore. You guys also have private lives that cost money, right? Let’s just say you’ve changed jobs.”

Even though Marcel was smiling, the four of them could see the sadness on his face. The reality was bitter, but no matter how uncomfortable it was, it must be lived.

“You’re right. We have a future. We have private lives. As you said, everyone needs money to live.” Kenny said.

To be honest, Marcel never expected words like that would come out of Kenny’s mouth. Did the core team also only expect money and power all this time? The truth was like a tiny needle stuck in Marcel’s heart. It may seem trivial. But the pain made him feel surprisingly uncomfortable.

“Kenny! What do you mean?!” Damian asked with an incredulous face. But calmly, Renu pulled the bright red-haired guy back to his spot. It seems that only Renu could read Kenny’s thoughts.

“Even if we have to change jobs, our home is still here, Marcel. Red Jack Commander is our home. We are Red Jack Commander. It is one with our souls.” Kenny continued.

“T-that’s right! RJC is our home!” One of the subordinates shouted.

When Marcel hadn’t thought farther, other calls followed.

“RJC is our home!”

“We will be loyal to RJC!”

“RJC is our pride!”

Vico and Damian looked at each other then smiled broadly before looking back at the members lined up in front of them.

“You don’t need hundreds of followers to be strong. Just a few loyal followers are enough to help you break all obstacles.” Renu said.

***

Classical music played in the earphones that were pinned in the ears of a brown-haired girl.

Everywhere she walked, her charm would attract attention, not only from men, but even women would also glance at her.

Emma couldn’t believe it. She had been in Handway City all this time. From the first snow fell to the last snow melted. She had seen many things. She had learned many lessons. Everything made Emma appreciate the meaning of life more.

The morning bus stopped in front of a bus stop of a large campus belonging to Jardin University. Emma Hilland got off with several other students who happened to be on the same bus.

The events that had happened five days ago made Emma barely sleep every night. Since that day, she had not seen Marcel Douglas on campus. She honestly wanted to contact him. But she would feel awkward.

Emma realized the special number she had used as Black could no longer call anyone at RJC. She also felt there was no point in contacting Marcel as Emma Hilland.

Emma understood that the hurt person couldn’t be approached by force. Instead of healing the wound, you might end up making it worse. Sometimes, a wound was better left to heal by itself.

The long road to the campus building that was surrounded by trees made Emma remember the first time she arrived there. It felt strange but beautiful. Emma couldn’t wait to see the leaves on the tree grow back thick and keep changing colours with the seasons.

Faintly and closer, Emma heard the roar of the motorcycle engine approaching and buzzing beside her. Emma knew by heart that it was Calvin Lee’s motorbike. Then she turned and smiled.

“Good morning. Need a ride?” Calvin asked kindly after opening his helmet.

Emma chuckled. “It feels like only yesterday you did this.”

“A lot of things happened. But I still vividly remember this little thing for me to do again,” He replied. Then he raised his palm in front of Emma. The brown-eyed girl chuckled and put her hand there as a grip as she climbed onto Calvin’s motorbike.

“I’ve been a bit busy these past few days. Anyways.. How are you?” Calvin asked.

“I can see it,” Emma raised her eyebrows. “Good. And I hope you are too,”

Calvin chuckled as he nodded. “My face is a bit messy,”

“But is your body okay? I bet it was a great fight,” Emma asked. She was worried about Calvin’s arm which she nearly broke at that time.

“It was indeed a big fight. Perhaps, it was a fight I will never forget. However, I am fine.” He replied.

Calvin’s motorbike arrived at the campus parking lot. He helped Emma down before he got off the iron horse.

“Do you still have so much business to come so early?” Emma asked in their slow pace.

Calvin smiled faintly. “How if I ask you first? Why do you always come so early?”

Emma raised an eyebrow briefly. “I.. just like the mood of the campus when it is still quiet. Coming in the morning and feeling the fresh air makes my heart calm.” Then she turned to the man beside her and asked, “Now, how about you? Is it because you have important matters again?”

Calvin shook his head with a smile still forming on his lips. “That’s because there is someone who always comes to campus early in the morning. I want to have the opportunity to talk alone with her more often.”

Calvin’s answer made Emma almost choke on the fresh morning air she was breathing. The man was a true seducer. Was Emma an overconfident girl if she thought the person Calvin was referring to was her?

“Haha.. What nonsense is that?” Emma muttered as she looked around for a topic switch. “Ah.. Is the cafe in the front open?”

“We have passed it by, haven’t we? It’s still closed.” Calvin answered right away.

“It is? I didn’t notice. Haha,” Emma cursed herself in her heart. They had just passed the cafe. What a shame!

“Would you like something to drink? The cafeteria has been open from early morning. We can go there,” Calvin offered.

“Oh. It sounds fine,” Emma nodded.

When they arrived at the cafeteria, which was still nearly empty, they met Jita Kyoei members who were sitting at a long table.

“Oh.. Hey Emma!” Martin greeted with enthusiasm.

Emma was a little surprised to see Jita Kyoei in the cafeteria early in the morning. It was an unusual sight.

“Hey..” Emma replied by waving her hand a little.

Calvin glanced at Martin with a sneer. Martin looked more excited to harass him in front of Emma.

“Are you guys having breakfast? Why don’t join us? We’re having breakfast too.” Martin said before glancing at Calvin intently.

“Actually, we just wanted to buy a drink,” Calvin replied.

Ian immediately cleared his throat when he felt a small kick on his leg. He looked at Martin who glanced at him. “Drink? That’s not an excuse to avoid talking to us, is it? What else are you two doing this early in the morning? Shouldn’t the first class start quite a while later?” He asked with a smirk.

“Of course we’re not going anywhere. I haven’t answered yet, have I? That morning talk with you guys sounded great. Don’t you think so, Calvin?” Emma nudged him with her elbow.

“Well. I think you quite right, Emma.” He smiled forcefully at Emma. Then after the girl turned the other way, Calvin immediately looked at Martin and Ian with a murderous look. “Bastard!” He said with only lips movement.

The other Jita Kyoei’s men sitting at the table laughed a little.

“You guys should stop bothering them. Maybe it’ll make Emma feel uncomfortable.” Nicko said after the couple went to order food.

“Nah! I instead saved Emma from a jerk like Calvin Lee.” Martin replied.