Bully Lord

Part-187

The Deputy General Manager, who had been observing with an inscrutable expression, suddenly burst into a hearty laugh. "James, that’s an interesting approach," he said, his amusement evident. "In fact, I think you’ve made a very shrewd decision. A complaint against a major company like Fire Fly Group might cause a temporary stir, but it would likely be dismissed within a few months, and soon, everyone would forget about it."

He pulled out a sleek business card from his pocket and handed it to James. The card was embossed with the name "Mike Hossain" and the position "Deputy General Manager, HR Department, Fire Fly Group." "You see," Mike continued, "this situation could easily become a headache for us, but it’s manageable. On the other hand, your suggestion offers a practical resolution."

James took the card, feeling the weight of Mike’s words. He glanced at Ryan, whose expression was a mixture of frustration and resignation. Ryan’s protest had been overruled, and now James had to weigh the implications of his decision. Dwip and Sourov, meanwhile, were silent, watching the interaction with keen interest.

Mike turned his attention back to Arad and Jeren, who were still unconscious and defeated. "I’ll take Arad and Jeren off your hands," Mike said smoothly, his demeanor still calm. "We’ll handle them from here. As for the compensation, I’ll ensure that it’s arranged properly. Just provide me with the details of the victims, and we’ll make the necessary arrangements."

Ryan, feeling the sting of compromise, took a deep breath. "This isn’t ideal," he said reluctantly, "but it’s better than letting this situation slip away. If Fire Fly is willing to make amends, then we should hold them to it."

Mike nodded, clearly pleased with the outcome. "Wise choice," he said, giving James a final, approving nod. "Remember, though, that this is a one-time offer. If you decide to dig deeper, you may find yourself tangled in a situation far beyond your control."

With that, Mike helped lift Arad and Jeren, ensuring they were securely restrained. He signaled to his team, who had arrived discreetly during the conversation, and they began to transport the defeated gang members away. The remaining gang members, who had been watching in a state of fearful resignation, looked on as the scene shifted from chaos to a quiet resolution.

James watched as Mike and his team departed, feeling a mix of relief and unease. His decision had prevented further conflict but had also left many questions unanswered. The compensation for the victims was a start, but the extent of Fire Fly Group’s involvement and the true nature of their operations remained shrouded in mystery.

As the alley fell silent, Ryan, James, and Dwip regrouped. Sourov broke the silence. "So, what now?"

James looked at his friends, his face a blend of determination and concern. "We follow through with the compensation for the victims and make sure that Fire Fly Group fulfills their promise. Meanwhile, we stay vigilant. This isn’t over, and we need to be ready if more comes to light."

Ryan nodded in agreement, though his frustration was palpable. "We’ve made progress, but this is just one battle in a larger war. We need to keep our eyes open and be prepared for whatever comes next."

Dwip, always practical, added, "And I’ll keep working on gathering information. There’s a lot more to uncover about Fire Fly and their connections. We need to be ready for the next move."

As they made their way out of the alley, each of them was deep in thought. The battle had been won, but the war was far from over. The uneasy truce with Fire Fly Group was a temporary reprieve, not a resolution. The real challenge lay ahead as they continued their quest for justice and sought to unravel the full extent of the criminal network they had begun to confront.

As James began to walk away, he received a notification:

[Mission 21: Completed.]

[Reward: All stats increased by +10]

James Khan then checked his updated stats:

- STR: 42

- CON: 46.2

- DEX: 38.3

- INT: 36

- WIS: 44.7

- CHA: 80

His battle stats rose to 207.2, nearly catching up to Ryan's 221. James had come close to matching Ryan's level even without using his Semi Auto Battle Mode.