Chapter 432: Hatred

In Columbus, at the Benedict family estate, in the spacious hall, everyone's expression was solemn and grave.

"Aunt Iver, I once again express my condolences for Calvin's death. My brother and I never imagined anyone would be so insane as to strike at Calvin in Atlanta. Cleo and I are both deeply grieved."

"Margaret, are you just going to spout such nonsense to me?"

An old woman with white hair, seventy or eighty years old, stared coldly like a snake at Margaret Wiltenstein, whose figure was manifested through projection magic in the center of the hall.

"What I want now is an explanation! Calvin, my grandson, went to Atlanta for your sake. And now he lies dead there, killed by Andrew's venomous hand."

"But Aunt, we still cannot determine the mastermind. Aside from knowing that Calvin's killer was likely the legendary hunter 'White Mamba' Rosia, we know nothing else."

Margaret frowned slightly, her expression troubled: "We will definitely investigate the truth."

The old woman named Iver Benedict flew into a rage, her hair and beard flying without wind: "Are you trying to protect that bastard, that offspring of a bitch? Margaret? At this moment, who else but that mongrel would lay a hand on my Calvin?"

"Iver, please calm down, okay? We have no evidence right now."

Margaret Wiltenstein sighed: "It's not impossible that someone else framed him. We haven't even found any communication between them. How could that Andrew possibly know Rosia?"

But before she could finish, she fell silent under the old woman's piercing gaze, then changed her tone: "Then what do you want to do, Aunt?"

"What do I want to do?"

The old woman sneered, her face full of ferocity: "I want to cast that bastard into hell, tear him limb from limb, make him suffer the utmost pain in this world. I also want to destroy his company, raze all his properties. Let everything of that accursed spawn be buried with Calvin!"

"That's impossible—"

Margaret's voice rose: "My father will not allow us to move against Andrew. He is the only one he cares about. He will go mad."

"What if he goes mad, Margaret? That old dog should have been minced into meat paste over twenty years ago. If your ancestor hadn't flinched and feared at the last moment, how could the situation have deteriorated to this point? And this mistake must now be corrected!"

The old woman's eyes were venomous: "You will help me, won't you, Margaret? Think carefully before you answer. This is the last chance I give you. The Benedict family will help their kin, provided they acknowledge that identity."

Margaret hesitated for a long time before slightly bowing: "Aunt Iver, if you insist, I will stand by you. But my power is still weak. Over the past twenty-plus years, Consulius, with the help of certain members of the Council of Elders, has wildly expanded his influence. No one knows what power lies behind Consulius now. I must first convince my two brothers and Lord Philip I."

"Then hurry! I hope to hear good news from you siblings within three hours at most."

After saying this, Iver Benedict ended the communication and then asked the middle-aged man beside her, her eldest son—Bode Benedict.

"Have you started the operation, Bode?"

"Our advance forces have entered Atlanta, Mum."

Bode's face was solemn: "But our gains are limited so far. Their Rising Sun company took a sudden holiday. Besides the stores, all of Andrew's properties were insured with the American International Insurance Company seven days ago. The premium was sixty million gold shields, with a payout of one point five billion. So this morning, the insurance company's headquarters sent us a warning: within a month, no damage is allowed to the Rising Sun Media office building, the Burt Building, or other structures. That Andrew was well prepared and well-funded. Also, the Michel Group and the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Rockefeller, have sent warnings that they have significant interests in the Rising Sun Electrical Retail Company."

"That bastard!"

The old woman practically spat out the words: "What about the people? If we can't touch the properties, his men aren't insured either, are they? Child, you should know what I want."

"Yes, a slaughter feast! A bloody ritual!"

Bode lowered his head: "But the situation is equally grim. Official forces are protecting them. Since the American Political TV station broadcast the footage of Ms. Drew's assassination, the media across Georgia has been very unfriendly to us. Now any slight disturbance will worsen public opinion. In fact, most of our personnel are currently under the watch of the FBI and DHS, who are also under immense pressure. Additionally, Rising Sun Media and Rising Sun Electrical Retail have hidden all their top executives, key employees, and their families in the Rising Sun No. 1 Storage Center. That is their newly built fortress-like stronghold, with a defense array up to level nineteen, guarded by five legends and numerous magical professionals. One of them is a level-four legendary mage. I've already sent probes; thirteen combat teams suffered heavy losses in less than thirty seconds. They possess many heavy weapons, including at least one level-sixteen 'Metal Storm,' and I suspect they have more."

"So we can't take it, is that what you're saying?"

"Yes, Mum." Bode replied respectfully, with a hint of admonition: "After all, this isn't Columbus but Atlanta. We would need demigod-level power; otherwise, we'll suffer heavy losses at the walls of this 'fortress.' I've already initiated the procedure with the Magic Tower Committee to split a demiplane as a battlefield. But without stronger forces committed, I don't recommend launching this war. Our military experts estimate that even if we commit all our forces, we would lose at least thirty percent."

"Then get that permission to split the demiplane done quickly!"

Iver snorted and stood up: "Now come with me to see your grandfather, Bode. He thinks that by preparing defenses and having five legends, he can be invincible and leave us helpless. That's wishful thinking! The Benedict family will make him pay for his arrogance!"

"Actually, we could wait a bit, Mum. Their employees can't stay off work forever, and Andrew's finances won't allow him to sustain such a war investment."

Bode frowned, reluctant: "Mum, Margaret and her brother are using us. They have ulterior motives. Margaret is no longer the innocent girl she once was. She is a viper, a bitch! Every word she says fans your anger."