4452 The Other Side 421

"You… are the chief commander of the Hurricane Group, Gong Jie?" Jim came up and exchanged a few pleasantries.

Gong Jie, however, could not be bothered with small talk. "Where are the hostages?"

"Don't be in such a hurry!" Jim laughed. "I've already arranged for the three hostages to be returned to you after the deal's done."

Would they really be returned safely? Jim didn't mention it. He only said that he would return them. Who knew if he would return three living human beings or three corpses?

Gong Jie was skeptical. He raised his wrist, looked at the time and said coldly, "Three quarters of an hour past the agreed time. Is this your so-called sincerity? Sorry, I can't see it."

Even though Jim had three hostages in his hands, Gong Jie was imposing and domineering. He knew in his heart that with Jim's personality, the more he tried to please him, the lower he would be stooping. It would only make the man more unscrupulous.

A hard stance and strong words would, instead, keep his attitude in check.

Gong Jie was a sharp judge of character. He could tell what kind of person Jim was just by looking at the expression on his face.

When Jim heard this, he did not get angry. Instead, he said humorously, "You know, there are crossfires everywhere now. It's already not easy for me to get here alive."

"Huh." Gong Jie asked again, "Where are the hostages?"

After a moment of silence, Jim sized up Gong Jie warily. Although the man was now alone, he had sent someone to investigate when he arrived earlier. He was escorted here by a team of mercenaries. This meant that these mercenaries were hiding somewhere. The moment they made a move on Gong Jie, the hidden mercenaries could shoot him at any time. Gong Jie's unyielding attitude was the perfect proof.

"You'll get the hostages when you hand over the goods." Jim had no intention of backing down. "I have to see the goods, verify them, and count them. Only then will this deal count!" After a pause, he continued, "However, I can't let the people of Hurricane Group come here for nothing. I have to show my appreciation. Look…"

He gave a silent signal with his eyes. One of his men immediately came forward and handed him a metal box.

If Vermillion Bird was by Gong Jie's side right now, she would definitely have been on high alert. No one knew what was inside the metal box. However, he did not think that there would be anything dangerous in this box. It wouldn't do Jim any good to kill him.

Jim's goal was very clear. His focus was the order worth tens of millions of dollars. Gong Jie's life meant nothing to him.

"Don't worry, there's no explosives inside." Jim explained, "There's a little diamond raw material inside. When the deal is done, I'll also attach a few hundred kilograms of heroin as a reward."

"Heroin?" Gong Jie did not take it but rejected it coldly. "What use is heroin to me? The Hurricane Group never does this kind of business."

"Ha! Looks like the Hurricane Group looks down on the drug business." Jim didn't think much of it. "But what's the use of drugs and firearms? They're both life-threatening things. Hurricane doesn't have to put yourself on the pedestal!"

"I repeat." The man was getting impatient. "I'm here for the three hostages. I don't want anything else. I just want them alive, understand?"