The car door opened.


    Daniel immediately stepped out from the passenger seat and opened the door for Carlisle.


    Carlisle got out and gave Kelvin a nce.


    That simple look was enough to terrify Kelvin and weaken his legs. He nearly copsed.


    Carlisle looked away and headed toward Papplewick Tea Shop with Daniel and Francis.


    With his voice shaking, Kelvin said, “Wade, Carlisle’s here. Please, you’ve got to help me!”


    Wade rubbed his bald head and gritted his teeth.


    “Alright. I’ll help you this one time. But don’t get your hopes up too high.”


    Kelvin was nearly in tears.


    “Thank you, Wade!”


    Carlisle arrived at the entrance of the tea shop.


    Everyone’s eyes were instantly on Carlisle.


    Carlisle said himself, “You guys must be the ones Heath sent.”


    Arthur asked softly, “And you are…?”


    Daniel stood tall.


    “This is Carlisle, your new boss.”


    “Nice to meet you, Carl…<b>”</b>


    Arthur, despite being six feet tall, immediately lowered his head in greeting.


    The rest of the group quickly followed, echoing. “Nice to meet you, <b>Carl</b>!”


    Carlisle waved his hand and smiled.


    “It’s getting dark. Let me take you all out for dinner.”


    Jamie spoke up, “We can’t let the boss pay on our first meeting. Dinner’s on me tonight. Let’s go to A1


    Seafood Restaurant.”


    Arthur chimed in, “I’ll cover it. I recently won some money from the lottery.”


    Carlisle chuckled.


    “There’s no need to argue. Tonight’s on me. We’re all acquainted now, so let’s not be so formal.”


    He knew they wanted to make a good impression. But as their leader, he needed to show generosity <b>and </b>establish a positive first impression to earn their loyalty.


    Jamie and Arthur reluctantly agreed.


    Carlisle looked at Arthur and <b>asked</b>, “What’s your name?”


    Arthur quickly responded, “I’m Arthur Gray.”


    Carlisle nodded.


    “Take them to A1 Seafood Restaurant.”


    “Alright,” Arthur replied, organizing everyone to catch taxis to the restaurant.


    Noticing Kelvin still standing there, Arthur called out, “Kelvin, what are you standing around for? Get over


    here!”


    Kelvin trembled and reluctantly walked over.


    Carlisle then asked, “Is he with you guys?<b>”</b>


    Arthur nodded. “Yeah, he’s one of Wade’s people.


    Carlisle was puzzled, wondering when Kelvin had gotten involved with Wade.


    After a moment, he said, “I only want juniors and seniors.


    After all, in Carlisle’s eyes, freshmen and sophomores were <b>too </b>young <b>and </b>wouldn’t have any presence.


    Most of the other gangs on campusprised juniors and seniors.


    Kelvin’s face fell. He couldn’t help but think Carlisle was deliberately targeting him.


    Arthur was secretly pleased. Without Kelvin, he could solidify his position as second–inmand.


    He quickly turned around to gather the group and sort them out. From the original 38 people, only 30


    remained.


    Carlisle’s phone rang. He checked the caller ID and saw it was a local number he didn’t recognize.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    “Hello, who’s this?<b>”</b>


    “Boss, it’s me, Wade…”


    Wade’s submissive voice came through the line.