Green Rord had long been aware of the disturbance in Long Xu that morning.
But his reaction, just like Jessica's, was to assume that Li Xiao was merely posturing for Li Qianfan's absolute safety.
They didn't believe—
That Li Xiao would dare to disregard the rules of world peace and target the Rord family for Li Qianfan!
Even when Green Rord was assassinated at the funeral of his elders, he didn't suspect it was the work of Long Xu.
But now—
When Jessica revealed that she had personally contacted Li Xiao, only to receive a reply telling her to wash her neck and prepare to be slaughtered!!
The core members of the Rord family suddenly realized that Li Xiao was not just bluffing.
That man from the East truly dared to do what he said!
"Is Li Xiao insane?"
Green Rord stared blankly for a long time before gasping hoarsely.
Yes.
Everyone present felt that Li Xiao had lost his mind.
After all, no normal person would do such a thing.
But this was clearly not the most important issue.
The most crucial matter was that the core members of the Rord family had to stop Li Xiao (Long Xu) from going mad and immediately halt the war machine that was already running at full speed.
Stop it!
"He really thinks our Rord family can be threatened by just anyone."
Green Rord took several deep breaths, forced himself to calm down, and sneered softly, "Fine. Since he wants war, then let there be war! But he'll never be able to start a war on our territory."
Long Xu's disregard for rules had thoroughly angered Green Rord.
But he knew that to confront Long Xu head-on, he needed strong support from his many allies.
The Rord family had numerous allies—
The top three were their kin, the Moses family, the Main Palace, and the Marco family, whose great power had been usurped by the Easterners (Lu Ziqi).
Green Rord firmly believed.
That if he could gain the staunch support of the Moses family and the Main Palace, and keep the Marco family neutral, he could make Li Xiao (Long Xu) understand who the true master of this planet was!
"Perhaps, this is a great opportunity to completely sweep Long Xu from the European and American continents. I believe both the Moses family and the Main Palace have endured Long Xu for too long."
Green Rord, indeed a patriarch of a foremost global clan, quickly regained complete composure.
With a calm smile, he picked up the phone.
He publicly called Alexander, the patriarch of the Moses family—
"I'm sorry, esteemed Count."
The woman who answered the phone was Alexander's secretary. "Our patriarch is currently indisposed and hospitalized, so he is temporarily unable to handle external matters."
Green Rord frowned.
He could only offer a few words wishing Patriarch Alexander a speedy recovery.
Then he called the Great Lamp of the Main Palace—
"I'm sorry, esteemed Count."
The secretary of the Great Lamp (the Holy Lamp Maiden) replied apologetically. "The esteemed Great Lamp is currently in seclusion, studying a centuries-old problem in theology and will not be attending to external affairs for a week."
Green Rord fell silent.
He slowly put down the phone.
Even if he were a fool!
He knew that the spokespersons for the Moses family and the Main Palace were deliberately avoiding him.
They simply didn't want to join forces with the Rord family against Long Xu!
Why would this be the case?
Green Rord's toes curled against the sole of his shoe as he lit a cigar.
*Ring, ring.*
The landline exploded with sound.
Jessica reacted the fastest, directly pressing the speakerphone button. "This is Jessica. Speak your mind."
"Respected Madam."
A man's voice came through. "I've just received some uncertain news. If Long Xu launches a large-scale attack on our Rord family, Long Xu has promised that the lost territories will be divided among the Marco family, the Moses family, and the Main Palace!"
Cold.
Everyone present inexplicably felt a chilling aura creeping up from their soles.
Before Long Xu had even begun substantive assassination operations against the Rord family, Li Xiao had already made a deal for the exchange of interests with three major powers of equivalent standing.
The gist of it was as follows:
"When Long Xu goes to war with the Rord family, you three families will remain neutral. The territories conquered by Long Xu will be divided among you three. You won't have to spend a penny, or lose a single life, yet you'll gain the greatest benefits. Do you want this deal? Of course, you can interfere. But you'll bear the consequences! After all, I've already sent people to target your core figures."
"Yes! Who wouldn't want a deal like pie falling from the sky? Anyone who refuses is a grandson!"
And so, the four powers of equivalent scale quickly reached an agreement.
After securing the Moses family and the other three major powers through benefits, Long Xu immediately launched assassination operations in England and International Ruixue.
Indeed.
The Rord family, known as the foremost global clan, was currently in a panic because they were caught off guard during the assassinations.
But once they stabilized, they would definitely unleash their financial might.
"Once money speaks, bad words cease to be heard."
This was the ancestral teaching of the Rord family.
Or, to put it another way: "When the Rord family unleashes its financial might, it can mobilize countless mercenaries and assassins willing to risk their lives for money to carry out the bloodiest retaliatory strike against Long Xu! Even if it ultimately triggers a devastating war!"
No one dared to underestimate the financial power of the Rord family.
No matter how capable Long Xu was, he couldn't possibly crush the deeply rooted Rord family within two to three years.
However—
Even if the Rord family could ultimately withstand Long Xu, or even defeat him, they themselves would suffer heavy casualties.
Then, the Moses family and the other three powers, who had been watching the fight from the sidelines, would immediately pounce and tear apart the severely wounded Rord family, dividing it among themselves.
That was something the Rord family absolutely could not allow to happen.
What to do?
Jessica and the others dared not speak carelessly, all looking at Green Rord.
Green Rord seemed to be possessed by a wise ancestor.
He called Alexander again.
It was still the female secretary who answered the phone.
Green Rord cut straight to the chase: "The Rord family is willing to sell its shares in the three major banks at market price to the Moses family."
Which three major banks?
What was the value of a 2% stake?
Green Rord didn't need to elaborate on these questions; he was confident that the Moses family would be 100% interested.
As expected.
Within minutes, the patriarch of the Moses family, who had previously been unwell, personally called Green Rord.
After a friendly exchange, the deal was done.
Green Rord then made similar offers to the Main Palace and the Marco family, and received their most sincere friendship in return.
After selling a total of 6% of their shares in the three major banks to the three powers, Green Rord and the others felt their hearts bleeding with pain.
Yet, they knew this was the best, and only, way to resolve their urgent crisis.
Having received their benefits, the three powers would immediately lobby Long Xu to temporarily quell his furious wrath: "Old Li, can't we sit down and talk? The three of us will act as intermediaries and arrange a face-to-face meeting between you and the Rord family. Since you're only two hours apart by car, meeting won't be difficult."
And so—
That evening, according to England's time, a private jet slowly landed on the runway within Long Xu.
As the cabin door opened,
Jessica, wearing a veiled noble hat and supported by Emma, stepped down the gangway.
She had volunteered to represent Mr. Green Rord and personally go to Long Xu to negotiate with Li Xiao.
Li Xiao, who had been waiting for a long time, along with his chief steward Bai Hong and dragon master secretary Xiuzi, saw Jessica descend the gangway and immediately approached her with a gentlemanly smile.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Li Xiao and Jessica walked side by side, chatting and laughing, as they arrived at the reception room.
The negotiation began.
Both sides shed their superficial politeness and engaged in a verbal battle, refusing to yield an inch.
At six-thirty,
Li Xiao was still shaking his head.
He felt that Madam Rord lacked sincerity.
He even showed impatience, as if he were about to drop his pretense at any moment.
"Dragon Lord Li, please ask your people to step aside."
Seeing that the old rogue was unmoved by any means, Jessica was forced to play her trump card.
Li Xiao was unfazed by Jessica's request. He waved his hand, signaling Bai Hong, Xiuzi, and the others to temporarily withdraw.
The door closed.
Li Xiao picked up a cigarette. "Respected Madam, please speak directly."
Jessica looked at the cigarette in Li Xiao's hand and said, "Dragon Lord Li, I am pregnant."
Li Xiao, who was about to light the cigarette, paused slightly.
Smoking in front of a future mother was not only impolite but could also affect her health.
Li Xiao immediately put down the cigarette and apologized. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were expecting, Madam."
Jessica, however, said, "Actually, you can smoke if you want. I don't mind."
Damn it.
Do you mind if I smoke in front of you or not?
Li Xiao was somewhat bewildered. "Respected Madam, I don't understand what you mean by that."
"The child I'm carrying—"
Jessica gently placed her left hand on her abdomen and said softly, "His father's surname is Li, and his name is Li Qianfan."