?Chapter 976:


    Although Derek couldn’t quite grasp the source of Foley’s sudden confidence, he felt an uneasy chill crawl down his spine. A sense of crisis loomed over him.


    He had no doubt that if Foley ever gained real power, he would crush him without a second thought. Foley was as ruthless as they came.


    But Derek knew he couldn’t afford to show weakness or fear in front of him. He had to maintain hisposure, stand tall, and hold his ground. He couldn’t let Foley see him falter.


    So when Foley finished speaking, Derek forced a smile of his own and shot back, “Oh, so you’re about to rise to the top, Foley? So powerful that you won’t even fear Aelfric or our father?”


    With a sneer, Foley pped Derek’s shoulder with a rough hand.


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    “Don’t think I’m just talking for the sake of it. You’ll see for yourself soon enough.”


    With that, Foley turned and walked away.


    Derek’s heart sank. He had always been a timid person, afraid of confrontation since childhood, and Foley’s veiled threat filled him with dread. His mind raced with fear.


    But then, a flicker of hope kindled inside him. He remembered that soon he would have the chance to get close to ck Mallow, the chief…


    Instructor of Doomsday Base. Thinking that he could soon have the powerful backing of the entire base, Derek felt an unexpected surge of boldness. Perhaps, in time, he could carve out a ce for himself—one where Foley’s threats would mean nothing.


    Driven by a sudden rush of courage, Derek called out, “Hold on a second, Foley!”


    “Hold on a second, Foley,” Derek called out, stopping him as he was about to leave.


    “Just a reminder—don’t harbor any ill intentions toward me. Don’t push me too far. One day, I’ll be someone you can’t afford to mess with.”


    Derek was unaware of the powerful ally Foley was seeking, but he was on the brink of establishing a connection with the chief instructor of the Doomsday Base, ck Mallow. In Blebert, the only person who could challenge the chief instructor was Connor.


    Foley had longstanding conflicts with Connor and would never betray their father to side with him.


    So, no matter who Foley nned to side with, Derek was not concerned.


    With this in mind, Derek stood taller, and his gaze sharpened as he looked at Foley.


    Foley turned slowly, locking eyes with Derek without blinking.


    After a tense silence, he let out a coldugh.


    “Do you think that by clinging to Aelfric, no one will dare to cross you forever? You can’t see the bigger picture. Derek, you’ll regret these words today.”


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