The man didn't respond immediately.
He simply watched Franko, his fingers tapping lightly against the table, each sound echoing in the quiet room. This time, there was no amusement in his eyes—only calculation.
"Partnership," he repeated slowly. "You're asking to stand on equal ground with me."
Franko met his gaze without hesitation. "I'm offering something of equal value."
A faint smile appeared, but it didn't reach the man's eyes. "Confidence like that usually gets people crushed."
"Only if it's empty," Franko replied calmly.
Silence settled again, heavier than before. Even the guards seemed more alert now, as if sensing the shift in tone.
Amara remained quiet, but her attention never left Franko. She could feel it clearly—this wasn't just negotiation anymore. This was a test.
And not a simple one.
The man leaned forward slightly. "Then let's test that value of yours."
Franko didn't react, but inside, something stirred again.
A faint flicker.
A distortion in his vision.
[Prediction Sync Activated…]
[Scanning Decision Paths…]
The world split for a fraction of a second.
Different outcomes.
Different reactions.
Different endings.
Then everything snapped back.
Franko exhaled slowly, his expression unchanged.
"I'm listening," he said.
The man's lips curved slightly. "My eastern division, as you mentioned. If what you said is true, then it's already unstable."
"It is," Franko replied.
"Good," the man continued. "Then prove it."
A pause.
"You'll take control of it."
Amara's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That division is already under pressure," she said. "If it collapses while he's handling it, it will confirm failure, not success."
"Exactly," the man replied calmly.
His gaze returned to Franko.
"If you're as capable as you claim, you'll stabilize it… or turn it around."
"And if I don't?" Franko asked.
The answer came instantly.
"Then this conversation ends."
Simple. Final.
Franko nodded once. "That's fair."
The man raised an eyebrow slightly. "You're accepting quickly."
"I don't need time," Franko said. "I need access."
That earned a quiet chuckle.
"You really don't hesitate."
"No," Franko replied.
Another brief silence followed, then the man leaned back again, decision made.
"You'll have temporary authority over the division," he said. "Limited, but enough to act."
Franko stood up slowly. "That's enough."
Amara looked at him. "You're sure about this?"
Franko glanced at her briefly. "I wouldn't take it if I wasn't."
That wasn't confidence.
That was certainty.
The man watched the exchange with interest. "You have three days," he added. "After that, I decide whether you're worth keeping around."
Franko gave a small nod. "You won't need that long."
This time, the man actually smiled.
"Now I'm curious."
Franko turned and walked toward the door, his steps steady, controlled. He didn't rush, didn't look back.
Because in his mind, the outcome was already clear.
The moment he stepped out, the system flickered again.
[New Objective Detected]
[Stabilize Eastern Division]
[Reward: Authority Expansion]
Franko's lips curved slightly.
Now this…
This was familiar.
He walked forward without slowing down.
Three days?
He wouldn't need even one.
End of Chapter 17