185: Reunion

At this decisive moment, the stage setting finally settled, and Harvey and Gromyko stepped into the spotlight together.

Two tables quietly awaited their masters, and the two men took their positions, gripping the pens that symbolized the transfer of power, facing the agreement that was about to rewrite history.

The reporters below the stage were alert like hunters in a forest; their cameras and notebooks were ready, waiting only to capture this scene, a historical moment destined to become tomorrow's global headline.

Unlike Harvey's composed demeanor, Gromyko appeared exceptionally nervous at this moment, sweat trickling down his forehead, and the pen in his palm seemed to sense its owner's inner trembling.

His former lofty ambitions had become blurred after experiencing his opponent's ruthless tactics; he began to question whether he had truly made the right choice.

Utopoonia was once a giant of military power, possessing fearsome bombers, invincible aircraft carrier fleets, and an unassailable military-industrial complex.

But in exchange for acceptance from the Western world, all this glory had to be personally destroyed or sold off.

Could such a transformation, where a fully armed warrior was about to morph into a docile puppy, truly bring a sense of belonging?

This thought surfaced in his mind for the first time, like a ray of dawn in the mist, yet it vanished in an instant.

However, reality did not allow for much hesitation.

Everyone around him yearned for Western culture; they wanted to taste that tempting fast food and dreamed of living in large houses with lawns and gardens.

Since when, the words "Dog Bear" had become a derogatory term, and everyone was eager to forget it.

But Gromyko remembered that the "Dog Bear" of the past was not so unbearable; it had once been a synonym for glory and strength.

"Mr. Gromyko?"

"Mr. Gromyko."

Suddenly, Gromyko was pulled back to reality by the calls.

He looked up and saw Harvey watching him expectantly; the agreement on the table had already been signed.

Facing this unavoidable fate, Gromyko could only force a smile, greeting the camera flashes from all directions.

When he looked down at the document again, his heart was desolate: even if he refused to sign today, there would still be no other choice on the road ahead.

The glory of the past was gone, and the path ahead remained unknown.

Just as the pen tip touched the paper, emitting a slight scratching sound, it was as if time froze at this moment.

Immediately after, a loud bang shattered the tranquility; a deafening explosion erupted from the direction of the main entrance, and flying debris swept across the entire hall like angry bullets.

In panic, everyone scrambled for cover, and the air was filled with the smell of dust and chaos.

On that night which should have been filled with laughter, there was only fear in the eyes of Harvey and Gromyko.

Their gazes simultaneously locked onto the once magnificent main entrance of the banquet hall.

Now it had been ruthlessly torn open with a huge gap, like a gaping maw under the night sky.

Just as the guests were still immersed in their confusion and helplessness, several more deafening explosions ripped through the silence, bringing with them waves of death.

Countless stones flew like angry swarms of bees; smaller fragments only caused flesh wounds, but the larger debris mercilessly struck people down, crushed them, and even took lives.

In an instant, the entire hall became an ocean of intertwined wails and pain; cries for help and weeping echoed in every corner, and an aura of despair enveloped everyone's heart.

No one could explain this sudden disaster; they only knew that the outside world seemed to have turned into a chaotic battlefield, slowly approaching this fragile haven of safety.

Just then, a flash of gunfire pierced through the dust raised by the ruins, and then a massive object slowly revealed its full form—it was a tank.

The arrival of this steel beast plunged everyone present into deeper panic.

Harvey turned around, his eyes flashing with disbelief, and questioned the equally stunned Gromyko beside him: "Mr., what exactly is going on with all this? Is this what you call friendly hospitality?"

Facing the accusation, Gromyko appeared flustered: "I assure you, we know nothing about this, Mr. Harvey, please believe this was not our arrangement."

"Then where am I right now?" Harvey's voice was tinged with anger, "Isn't this your territory? How could these tanks appear here?"

Just as the two were arguing, more cannon barrels emerged from the smoke, and soon four tanks surrounded the exit; the machine guns on them emitted a spine-chilling clatter, accurately aiming at every target inside the hall.

At this moment, even the usually composed Harvey felt an unprecedented fear; he realized that he might be facing a critical moment of life and death.

"Where are my guards? Make them show up quickly." Harvey was practically roaring, gripping Gromyko's collar tightly, trying to find a last shred of hope.

"I don't know what's happening outside..." Gromyko replied, trembling.

However, just as the situation reached its breaking point, a voice from inside the tank broke the silence, instantly making Harvey's face turn pale.

On this silent night, a metallic clang broke the tranquility, and a tank burst into the scene of this luxurious banquet like a beast.

Its hatch slowly opened, as if unveiling the prelude to a play.

From that narrow space, a familiar face emerged; he sat on the edge of the hatch, a memorable smile playing on his lips, his gaze fixed on the man named Harvey on the center stage.

"Mr. Harvey, we meet again." Xu Ning seeing Harvey was like an old friend reuniting after a long separation.

However, Harvey's reaction was completely different.

His lips trembled uncontrollably, "How, how is this possible... Xu, you... how could you still be alive?"

Xu Ning smiled slightly, a hint of playfulness in his eyes, "Seeing me surprises you, doesn't it, Mr. Harvey? Are you still wondering why I can stand before you?"

Harvey's eyes turned fierce for a moment, but were quickly covered by a false smile: "Mr. Xu, you're truly humorous.

I don't understand what you're saying.

It has indeed been a while since we last parted."

"Time can change many things," Xu Ning said calmly, "But my memory of certain matters remains clear.

Please say hello to San Pao and the Skorlov brothers for me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Harvey's face instantly turned pale; he realized his situation could no longer be concealed and hurriedly spoke, begging for mercy:

"Mr. Xu, please listen to me, we can negotiate.

As long as you let me go, everything can start over.

The aircraft carriers, the aircraft carriers can also be yours."

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