1249 Cripple Him

Lucas’s answer immediately froze the expression on Jensen’s face.

Brett and the rest in the room also had bewildered expressions.

Only Bruce and Edmund breathed a sigh of relief and looked as though they had expected this.

They had long known that, given Lucas’s abilities and personality, he would definitely not accept the Hales’ recruitment and that he would never work for them regardless of what benefits they offered.

“Why?” Jensen frowned and looked at Lucas in puzzlement.

He had already offered such attractive benefits, yet he still couldn’t tempt Lucas.

Lucas seemed even more puzzled than Jensen and asked rhetorically, “I’ve already said that I’m not interested. Didn’t you hear me clearly, Mr. Hamilton?”

Jensen’s face twitched hard.

At this point, he finally confirmed that Lucas was really not interested in joining the Hamiltons and wouldn’t waver regardless of the conditions he offered.

This was beyond Jensen’s expectations, and his face darkened.

As soon as his expression changed, he immediately exuded a gloomy vibe that seemed to make the temperature in the private room plummet instantly.

The several Californian helmsmen shuddered while their hearts skipped a beat.

Lucas’s refusal undoubtedly made Jensen extremely upset.

None of them knew what Jensen would do in a fit of anger, nor did they dare to think about it.

Only Lucas didn’t seem to sense Jensen’s fury as he continued to eat calmly.

His behavior undoubtedly made Jensen even more furious.

“Lucas Gray, no one has ever dared to reject my recruitment,” Jensen said with a sullen look.

Lucas found it funny that some people always had a sense of superiority over others.

“Oh, Mr. Hamilton, are you saying that I can’t reject you and that I have to obey you and join the Hamiltons just because no one has ever dared to turn you down?” Lucas asked with raised brows.

Jensen snorted coldly and said proudly, “As long as it’s something that I want to do, I will definitely be able to achieve it!”

Lucas sneered. “Hah, as expected of the Hamiltons, you’re too tyrannical.”

With that, he didn’t bother talking to Jensen anymore.

Having had his fill, Lucas put down his fork, stood up, and said to the helmsmen beside him, “I’m leaving now. How about you?”

It was actually time for them to take their stand.

Those who were willing to leave with Lucas were naturally on his side and would thus gain his protection.

On the contrary, those who weren’t willing to leave with him would forever be ignored by him.

Edmund immediately stood up. “Mr. Gray, I will leave with you!”

Bruce followed suit. Despite looking worried, he still said, “Mr. Gray, I will go with you!”

At this point, the Hales had long stood on Lucas’s side, so Bruce would never betray him.

Besides, he was full of confidence in Lucas.

In the past, Lucas had never failed despite the various crises he encountered. Regardless of how strong his enemies were, he had never suffered a loss, so Bruce was extremely confident in him.

Even though they were now facing the Hamiltons, a royal family branch, Bruce strongly believed that Lucas could lead them to safety.

With Edmund and Bruce standing on Lucas’s side, only Ethan, Jim, and Anton had yet to take a stand.

Jim and Anton hadn’t had much interaction with Lucas, and they hadn’t had the opportunity to talk with him tonight. But they had seen how impressive his martial arts skills were and acknowledged him as the leader of California.

But deep down, they felt that no matter how powerful Lucas was, he had no chance of beating the Hamiltons.

If they choose to leave with Lucas, they would be standing on his side. To them, this was no different from courting death.

So the two of them stopped struggling and simply remained sitting with their heads hung low.

Only Ethan clenched his jaw, looking rather hesitant and conflicted.

Logically speaking, he didn’t trust Lucas and felt that Lucas had no chance of defeating the Hamiltons.

But on the other hand, he had already abandoned Lucas once and chosen to compromise with the Hamiltons.

This was probably the last chance Lucas was giving him.

If he missed this chance again, he would never have any ties with Lucas in the future, and he might even become Lucas’s enemy.

He was at a loss for what to do now.

After being conflicted for a long time, Ethan finally made up his mind. He supported himself against the table and stood up with difficulty. “I’ll leave with Mr. Gray too!”

Edmund and Bruce both looked at Ethan in surprise. They thought that Ethan would still choose the Hamiltons this time. They didn’t expect him to change his mind again.

Lucas glanced at Ethan without saying anything.

Jensen’s expression was extremely sullen.

Lucas was now completely going against him.

This wasn’t all. He had even gotten the top three families in California to stand on his side, which posed a great stumbling block to the Hamiltons’ plan.

Jensen narrowed his eyes and looked at Lucas threateningly. “Lucas Gray, you have to think this through carefully. I’m giving you one last chance. Are you⁠—”

But before he could finish speaking, Lucas interrupted, “Jensen Hamilton, I can give you a chance to follow me. As long as you do, I promise that you’ll become the helmsman of the Hamiltons.”

Lucas smirked.

His words had undoubtedly angered Jensen, who perceived them as an insult. “Lucas Gray, how dare you speak to me like that?!”

Lucas shrugged and turned around to leave, as he couldn’t be bothered to continue wasting his breath with Jensen here.

“Hold it right there! Did I say that you can leave?” Jensen hollered furiously.

The Hamiltons’ powerhouse standing behind him immediately dashed to the door of the private room and blocked Lucas from leaving.

Lucas shouted with a cold expression, “Get lost!”

Jensen said coldly, “Lucas Gray, don’t be so arrogant! I admit that you’re indeed quite capable, but those who can’t be used by me can only vanish from this world!”

Having completely fallen out with Lucas, he immediately ordered the powerhouse, “Moses, cripple him!”