Chapter 187: Chapter 187 Taking Control
Grandpa Wayne was rushed to the medical sector without delay, his body carried out of the commander’s office as the medical team moved with urgency through the corridors, clearing the way ahead while issuing short, sharp instructions to one another.
Felicia stayed beside the stretcher the entire time, her hands trembling as she held onto its edge, her voice breaking again and again as she called out to him. While Margaret followed just behind, her face pale yet composed, her eyes flickering between her father and the people around her as if already calculating the situation.
At the same time, Enzo was escorted in the opposite direction. Several Wayne soldiers surrounded him tightly, their grips firm as they led him out of the commander’s base and toward the prison sector.
His expression remained calm, almost indifferent, as though nothing had changed, but his eyes stayed sharp, taking in every detail without missing anything.
The moment they stepped outside, the air became tense.
Figures began to emerge from different directions, their movements quickened as they closed in around the Wayne soldiers, forming a silent blockade. Their expressions cold and alert, their hands hovering near their weapons as they fixed their gaze on the soldiers escorting their boss.
One of them stepped forward. "Release him," he said, his voice low but firm.
The Wayne soldiers reacted immediately, tightening their formation as one of them stepped forward in response. "He is under arrest," the soldier said. "He poisoned the patriarch of the Wayne family. He will be punished."
A murmur spread among the mafia men, their expressions darkening as tension rose sharply, the space between the two groups tightening as if it could snap at any moment.
"I did nothing," Enzo said calmly, his voice steady as it cut through the rising tension.
"Exactly." One of his men said. "If our boss wanted to help the patriarch, using poison would be the last on his list..." he chuckled darkly. "I mean why would he bother to use poison when he could use guns and blades?" Ugo’s eyes darkened slightly.
His words caused an uproar from the Wayne soldiers, while his men chuckled with a hardened gaze.
Enzo’s gaze drifted across his men slightly.
He had been in the mafia world since his teens, and he had seen all kinds of schemes, traps laid out so carefully that by the time a person realized what was happening, it was already too late. This was no different.
This time, he was the one on the hook.
If things escalated here, if his men clashed with the Wayne soldiers, the fortress would be thrown into chaos. Blood would be spilled, and whatever fragile order remained would collapse. More importantly, he still needed to get his medicines before he could cure the poison inside him. Acting now would only tighten the trap around him.
He lowered his gaze slightly, then spoke.
"Stand down."
The men around him stiffened as if they had heard wrong.
"Boss..." one of them said, unwilling.
Enzo lifted his head, his eyes sharpening. "Stand down."
They hesitated, their fists clenched, their expressions filled with resistance, but none of them moved.
At that moment, Margaret stepped forward from behind the soldiers, her posture straight as she lifted her chin, her gaze sweeping across the group with a cold edge. "What is this?" she asked, her voice rising just enough to carry authority. "Are you planning to rebel against the fortress?"
The word settled heavily in the air.
’Rebel.’
It changed everything. Enzo’s eyes flickered briefly. He understood immediately what she was doing. If his men were labeled as rebels, they would not just be dealing with the Wayne family anymore. The entire fortress would turn against them. Every soldier, every survivor would see them as enemies.
That could not happen.
"Stand down," Enzo repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The men exchanged looks, their reluctance clear, but slowly, one by one, they stepped back, lowering their hands.
Enzo watched them quietly. As long as they remained free, as long as they were still able to move within the fortress, there was still room to act.
The soldiers wasted no time. They pushed him forward again and led him toward the transport vehicle waiting nearby. As he stepped up, his gaze shifted briefly to Ugo.
Their eyes met for a moment. And Ugo gave a subtle nod.
Enzo looked away and stepped inside. The door shut behind him.
Margaret watched the entire scene unfold, and for a brief moment, a small victorious smirk appeared at the corner of her lips before she suppressed it, her expression changing instantly as her shoulders began to tremble.
A soft sob escaped her.
"My father..." she began, her voice breaking as she covered her mouth, her eyes filling with tears. "My father is a good man... he has always been a good man..."
The soldiers around her lowered their heads slightly, their expressions changing to a softer one as they listened.
"He only wanted to help the commander," she continued, her voice shaking. "He gave everything to protect this fortress... to protect all of you..."
Her voice trembled again, and she paused as if struggling to continue.
"And now... he is lying there, unconscious..." she said, her words slowing as grief filled her tone. "We don’t even know when he will wake up..."
Silence spread among the soldiers. Some clenched their fists. Others looked away.
Margaret took a step forward, her gaze lifting as she looked at them one by one.
"The fortress cannot remain without leadership," she said, her voice steadier now. "In times like this, we need someone to take responsibility."
She paused briefly before continuing. "As the eldest of the Wayne family, it is only right that I take over control of the fortress."
No one spoke, but the words settled heavily among them.
The soldiers exchanged brief glances before lowering their heads further, their silence turning into quiet acceptance.
Margaret inhaled slowly, her expression softening. "I am not doing this for myself," she said. "I am doing this for all of you... for everyone inside these walls."
Her gaze moved across them. "I will protect this fortress," she continued. "I will make sure no one else suffers... no one else is left behind."
Her voice steadied fully now. "I will do everything in my power to keep you safe."
