A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 565

"Orson's gone AWOL, Chad's running amok, and Hadrian's on death's door."

Declan had his arms crossed, resting his chin on his hands. "Got a tip-off from our contacts in the Jungle Union. We've got a few... moles there."

Are you seriously spilling this kind of info like it's no big deal?

Yvan squinted his eyes; he already knew about the Jungle Union fiasco from Logan. He hadn't expected things to get this dire, to the point where Declan himself would come knocking for help.

"I need to find Orson," Declan spread his hands, "but it's like he vanished into thin air. The Jungle Union's a mess; it could spark a full-blown panic."

If a criminal syndicate loses its head and scatters to the winds, they're harder to control. If they start splitting off, crowning their own kings, and forming new factions, we've lost the leash. Then it's just chaos—murders, arson, enough to spark public fear and social unrest.

Yvan's gaze was icy. "The Jungle Union's in turmoil, and you come to me? Why not get your dad to clamp down on them?"

"Because," Declan locked eyes with Yvan, "my sources in the Jungle Union say you got dragged into the mess the day they went after Matilda."

Yvan's pupils shrank, but he didn't deny it.

"So, you must want to... wipe out the Jungle Union too," Declan said calmly. "Given your nature, you'd want revenge, and to deal with Chad's loyalists. I came to you to see if you had any plans."

Declan is too well-informed for his own good.

Yvan lifted his chin, his tone carrying a hint of regal disdain. "Thinking of teaming up? To restore the Jungle Union under Hadrian's control?"

"Exactly." Declan met Yvan's gaze. "Hadrian can't die. If he does, it'll be a bloodbath."

But where on earth is Hadrian being hidden?

Declan was tempted to throw the coffee sitting next to Yvan right at him—always the same snark.

Yvan pulled up a document to show Declan, then added, "We're planning to head over tomorrow night."

Declan crossed his arms with a huff. "Then you're bringing me along this time. With me there, you'll have free rein. Without me, even with wings, you wouldn't get through the front door."

Yvan shot him a look, that cold glance dripping with disdain. "And why's that?"

"Because..." Declan's face broke into a smug grin, "that military hospital was opened with my family's help. They're pretty strict about who gets in and out. Without me, you're not setting foot inside."

And so, they had to concede to power.