The price of betrayal (Jack and Ashley) novel Chapter 613

"Am I going to die too?"

Vernon's expression was one of despair. Deep down, he knew that even if everyone else were spared, he would die without a doubt.

After all, the plot to seize Myth Group would never have succeeded without his backing.

While he hadn't directly ordered the death of Malcolm, none of it would have happened—at least not so brutally—without his support.

This had now become his greatest regret.

Harper looked at Vernon in silence while flipping through the documents in her hands.

While his crimes weren't as horrible as some of the others, as the founder of the family's rise to power, his path had inevitably been paved with blood.

The accumulation of wealth and power always came with a dark side, though that darkness was often ambiguous.

Harper was at a loss on how to decide. Compared to others, Vernon seemed deserving of life, yet his sins were undeniable. Then again, he had also done some good deeds.

Even though Harper was silent, Nolan wasn't.

He slowly walked over to where Vernon was and delivered the verdict on Harper's behalf, "I've read your file. You're a man of great ambition. The Norberg family's success today owes much to you.

"But the family's downfall, the atrocities committed by its members—these are also your doing. Therefore, you deserve to die."

Yet, upon reflection, it made sense. Even he himself had been unable to resist the allure of the Spirit of Life Serum, dreaming of endless possibilities, so what more to say about someone as powerful as Nolan?

"Mr. Greene, do you aspire to become the sole ruler of the five southeastern states?" Vernon asked cautiously.

Nolan responded boldly, "That's right. I aim to be King of the Southeast—a true and undisputed ruler. Do you find that ridiculous, Mr. Norberg Senior?"

Ridiculous?

If this had been before, Vernon would have scoffed and burst into derisive laughter, because it was nothing short of an outrageous joke.