Wyatt nced up at James and answered respectfully, "It''s the Maple Syndicate." James paused, looking at Wyatt with a puzzled expression, "Who?"


    Wyatt hesitated for a moment before repeating, "The... Maple Syndicate."


    The Maple Syndicate was thergest underground organization in the States. However, over the past decade, they had be more discreet, slowly withdrawing from their underworld alliances to go legit.


    The current state of their operations was uncertain.


    Wyatt only knew that the syndicate likely had a foothold in Riverdale too.


    James pinched the bridge of his nose, silent for a moment.


    Seeing James like this, Wyatt and Curtis exchanged confused nces.


    "James? Is there something wrong with the Maple Syndicate?" Wyatt asked quietly.


    James leaned back on the sofa, his sharp eyebrows softening from their usual sternness. The light from the crystalmp cast a cool glow on his face as he asked, "What''s the Maple Syndicate''s stance now?"


    Wyatt shook his head, "I''m not too sure. But this transaction, even though it wasn''t the Maple Syndicate directly, it''s clear there''s an issue within their ranks.


    Otherwise, the European factions wouldn''t have found an opening."


    James nodded, his deep eyes narrowing slightly, "Look into the Maple Syndicate''s situation now."


    Despite his internal doubts, Wyatt quickly agreed.


    After a pause, James called to Wyatt, who was about to leave, "Call Andrew. Tell him to retract the arrest warrant. Let''s pretend today''s incident never happened."


    Wyatt stopped in his tracks, surprised, "Why? This was a rare chance to take him down."


    James''s expression remained indifferent, his gaze distant, "Taking down one Andrew just means countless others will emerge."


    Wyatt thought it over and found the logic sound, "We have leverage over Andrew. He''ll think twice before causing trouble again."


    "Right," James waved his hand.


    With a nod, Wyatt quickly left with Curtis.


    **


    Meanwhile, at the Davis family''s north division...


    Grady walked into the lobby with a stern look, apanied by As.


    The lobby was filled with over a dozen armed men, their aura matching those at the entrance. As Grady and As walked in, they were immediately aimed at.


    The division''s two managers frowned, ready to act, but a raise of Grady''s arm made them step back.


    Sitting in the main seat was a


    middle-aged man, lounging


    respectfully preparing coffee for


    him, projecting the air of a king in his


    domain.


    en


    He sipped his coffee before slowly raising his head to look at Grady, his eyes filled


    with disdain, "You''re in charge here?"


    Grady hadn''t seen such a gaze in many years, amusing him.


    Lax


    His lips curled into a smirk, his ck attire making him appear even colder, with a hint of menace. Approaching and looking down. the man, he said, "You should be thankful we live in a civilized and harmonious society."


    The middle-aged man, despite the instinctual fear within him, felt emboldened by the presence of his men andughed coldly, mming his hand on the coffee table, "You''ve got some nerve, engaging indillegal arms deals. Do you have no regard for the authorities?"