Alliance

After the meeting, Thomas hurriedly excused himself to meet with Mr. Gorge. They needed to regroup and devise new plans, but Thomas couldn't help but feel the absence of Gandalf or Useless. He had always relied on their organizational skills, and now he was left to navigate this complex situation on his own.

Meanwhile, the gang leaders continued their discussion, sitting together to further assess their stakes in the conflict. Some of them expressed their desire to retain a small percentage of the McQueen family's businesses, emphasizing the need for a fair arrangement.

"I'll consider joining the fight if that greedy daughter agrees to let me keep 50 percent of my annual returns," one of the cartel leaders stated firmly. He headed the fifth largest cartel in the state, and although he acknowledged his ties to Lucas, he believed that his own interests should be protected.

The Princess cartel, known for their deadly operations in the drug trade, held significant power in the state. They had played a crucial role in the McQueen family's success, and their underground activities made them a force to be reckoned with. Despite their contributions, they had gained independence and had the right to decide whether to participate in the conflict or not.

"Beyond our affiliations with this organization, each of us has the right to support those who serve our best interests," declared the president of all the cartels, drawing the meeting to a close. He had held the presidency since Lucas delved into politics, overseeing the unity of the criminal underworld.

As the gang leaders dispersed, they carried with them their own calculations and alliances. The stage was set for a complex and delicate web of power dynamics. Thomas and Mr. Gorge faced the challenging task of bringing together these disparate factions and uniting them against Lucas.

Thomas knew that his negotiation skills would be tested, as he had to navigate the intricate landscape of self-interest and loyalty. With the future of the McQueen family's legacy hanging in the balance, he was determined to rally the support needed to confront Lucas head-on.

As the days passed, Thomas worked tirelessly, meeting with each cartel leader individually to find common ground and build alliances. It was a delicate dance of negotiation, persuasion, and compromise. He recognized that everyone had their own motivations and priorities, and he had to leverage those to forge a united front.

The alliances formed were fragile, as trust was in short supply among these dangerous and ambitious individuals. But Thomas remained resolute in his mission, determined to protect what is left of the Mcqueen family's legacy and seek justice for their grievances.

The stage was now set for the next phase of the conflict. Thomas, supported secretly by the diverse and formidable underworld alliances, would face Lucas and his forces head-on. It was a battle that would determine not only the fate of the McQueen family but also the balance of power within the criminal world.

The war had shifted from a mere family feud to a grand struggle for control and dominance. Thomas, armed with newfound allies and fueled by love and loyalty he has for the Mcqueens, was ready to face the challenges that lay ahead. The battle for justice and the McQueen family's legacy had only just begun.

As Thomas and Mr. Gorge brainstormed in the office, they faced the reality of their limited access to crucial information and resources within the McQueen organization. Denied entry to important offices and documents, Thomas relied on his resourcefulness and what little he could gather to keep things running in Marvel's absence. The uncertainty of her situation gnawed at him, driving his resolution to find a way to rescue her.

Amid their discussions, Mr. Gorge proposed an idea that intrigued Thomas. "I don't trust the cartels to fully support us in this fight," Thomas confessed, voicing his reservations. "But what if we obtain a red diamond and present it to Lucas? It doesn't have to be real, just convincing enough to buy us time."

Gorge's suggestion caught Thomas off guard, offering an alternative plan. However, he recognized the time constraints involved in acquiring even a fake diamond. Thomas pondered the feasibility of Gorge's proposal, contemplating the risks and benefits.

Without hesitation, Thomas reached for his phone and dialed the number of a lapidary he had once encountered, saving their contact information. He hoped they would be able to assist in obtaining the fake diamond. Disappointingly, his attempts to reach the lapidary proved fruitless. It seemed that Plan B was not meant to be.

After a moment of reflection, Thomas and Mr. Gorge decided to stick with their initial plan, which involved rallying support from the disparate factions they had met with earlier. The risks were high, but they had to press forward and execute their carefully laid strategy to free Marvel from the clutches of her supposed Uncle or her father's trusted confidant, as Gandalf had referred to Lucas.

As they sat in silence, both Thomas and Mr. Gorge weighed the dangers. Their conclusion to reunite with Marvel and uncover the truth only grew, despite the risks they would face. With their plan A intact and their resolve unwavering, they steeled themselves.

Little did they know that within the shadows, unseen forces were aligning, and a game of deception and treachery was being played and the path ahead would be fraught with danger and unexpected twists.

Thomas and Mr. Gorge prepared themselves mentally and emotionally, knowing that their fight against Lucas would reshape the criminal landscape they operated in.

"If you don't mind, I would like to be excused," Thomas said as he tried to reach out to his wife and ensure their safety. However, he discovered that he had low network coverage. He attempted to use the office lines, but none of them were able to connect.

Damn it!" Thomas exclaimed in frustration. The realization that their mobile communication had been compromised left them feeling vulnerable and anxious. He urgently turned to Mr. Gorge, hoping for a solution.

Gorge hurriedly checked his phone for any signs of internet connectivity, only to find that he too had no network access. The absence of both cellular and internet services heightened their concerns. Something was clearly amiss, and they couldn't afford to be cut off from their loved ones or potential sources of information.

"We need to find out what's happening," Thomas declared, his mind racing with possible scenarios. "If our network is down, it could mean that Lucas has somehow gained control over the communication channels."

Gorge nodded in agreement, his expression mirroring Thomas's concern. "We can't rely on traditional means of communication. We need to find an alternative, a way to bypass Lucas's interference."

They quickly brainstormed potential solutions, considering the limited resources available within the office. After a few moments of contemplation, an idea struck Thomas.