Seeing Frank say nothing, Glen continued, “My family is even less of a match against the South Sea Crow. That’s why we need the Lionhearts’ help, or we’d suffer even more losses. I hope you can understand…”
“That’s not necessary,” Frank said naturally. “The South Sea Crow and I had an agreement. She won’t come after you anymore.”
“What?!”
The room was left in shock at Frank’s words.
“Haha…” The Turnbull executive who mocked Frank earlier was silent for a moment but soon turned toward Glen. “I told you, Mr. Turnbull—he’s with the South Sea Crow. See? He admitted as much to it now. Why else is he fine when we’re all infected?”
“Yeah. He was close to the South Sea Crow when she charged at Zac as well. Why wasn’t he hit?”
“Don’t bother. He’s definitely her ally!”
The restless discussion around him left Frank scowling, even regretting asking his fellow apprentice to stay her hand from these people.
“The South Sea Crow isn’t some monster. She’s human—she can see reason!” He strode forward, snapping coolly at them, “Have none of you considered why she came after your family for three years?!”
Another Turnbull executive snorted dismissively. “We have plenty of enemies. She’s just the worst and most cunning of them!”
“Exactly!”
“She might even be paid. Why else would she have been obsessed?!”
Frank was really fed up with the Turnbull executives just then and turned toward Glen as he said quietly, “It was Zac Turnbull. He forced himself on a girl who asked him for help at South Sea and killed her to silence her. And that girl was the South Sea Crow’s younger sister!”
Frank’s words left the room silent, and everyone turned toward Glen, though he was uncertain too.
“You’re saying the South Sea Crow was willing to speak with you?” he asked tentatively. “She even told you why she was hunting us?”
“Yes,” Frank nodded. “She even invited me to join her, and I only refused for Vicky’s sake.”
Naturally, the Turnbulls were scowling at Frank’s words.
“You must be joking!”
A Turnbull executive stood up, his contempt showing all over his face as he sneered. “The South Sea Crow doesn’t care even if she’s up against the Lionhearts, and you’re saying she’d talk to some unknown person like you? Telling you her reason for coming after us and promising to stay away after this?”
Spreading his hands, he turned toward the others. “Do any of you think this is possible?”
“Hah! He must be lying—he just doesn’t want to see our family sealing our alliance with the Lionhearts by marriage.”
“Exactly. Once we have the Lionhearts’ protection, the South Sea Crow won’t be able to do anything!”
“That means he must be aiding and abetting the South Sea Crow!”
Frank was left speechless by their remarks but made one last effort for Vicky’s sake.
“Please use your heads to think,” he said quietly. “If the South Sea Crow manages to kill everyone here, who do you think stands to gain the most?”
