The Real Heiress Rules the World (Sloane Rivers) novel Chapter 444

Chapter 444 The Price of Survival

“Good,” Beth said, her voice trembling with relief. “I’ll make the arrangements for our departure right away.”

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The desert night was merciless. Wind whipped through the Black Desert, carrying sand sharp enough to sting like blades. Beth walked alone toward the Bloodhounds‘ camp, her coat snapping behind her, each step steady and deliberate–as if she were walking not on shifting sand, but on the solid ground of the Oliver family’s own estate.

The Bloodhounds‘ leader, Urdu, sat by the fire, turning a diamond in his scarred hands–a gem looted from Stinger’s corpse. The flames cast harsh shadows across his face, deepening the long scar that split it in two.

As Beth approached, he grinned, gold glinting from his teeth. “Your people sure don’t come cheap.”

He raised a hand. Several men dragged forward a few bodies covered with burlap, blood soaking through the fabric and into the sand.

“Six of my brothers died saving your team,” Urdu said, his tone turning flat. He tapped the diamond with a dirty finger. “That mine–I want half.”

Beth’s expression didn’t change. Her voice was icy and precise. “We agreed on one–third. Asking for half now, Urdu, is more than a little greedy.”

Urdu laughed, standing abruptly. The pistol at his waist caught the light. “The deal changed. Your people are alive. Mine aren’t.”

Around them, the Bloodhounds‘ men drew their guns, the air tightening like a pulled bowstring.

Beth didn’t flinch. Calmly, she reached into her coat and pulled out a rolled piece of parchment. She spread it open before the firelight–a detailed map of the Black Desert’s water

sources.

Urdu’s one good eye flickered.

“The Bloodhounds survive in this desert because of water,” Beth said evenly. “This map marks every oasis and underground river–including three new springs your people haven’t found yet.”

Urdu’s breath hitched before he masked it with a sneer. “And you think that’s enough to buy me off?”

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Chapter 444 The Price of Survival

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Beth’s eyes were like blades. “You can have the mine. But men need water to dig–and to live. Without this map, you’ll take the mine only to die defending it.”

Urdu’s jaw clenched, the sound of cracking knuckles echoing under the wind.

get this map–plus three Beth stepped closer. “I’ll raise your share to forty percent. You’ll also vears of free trade access to all Oliver family caravans crossing the Black Desert.”

Urdu studied her, weighing the offer, greed and caution battling behind his scarred face.

Then Beth smiled–cold, confident. “Or, you could try keeping us here by force. But before you decide, remember this: Oliver family reinforcements are already positioned outside the desert. You really think your men want to go to war with us–over one mine?”

The wind howled through the dunes, and the fire popped, sparks scattering into the night.

Finally, Urdu slammed his hand down on the table and barked out a laugh. “Fine! You’ve got yourself a deal, woman.”

He reached for the map, but Beth’s wrist flicked, and it disappeared back into her sleeve.

“You’ll get it once we’re safely out of the desert,” she said coolly.

Urdu’s face darkened, anger flashing briefly in his eye–but he swallowed it down with a grunt. “Fine. I’ll trust your family’s word.”

He gestured for his men to stand down. The ring of guns dropped. Beth turned and walked away, her figure tall and sharp against the firelight, cutting through the wind like a blade.

“Boss,” Urdu’s second–in–command muttered, watching her go. “You’re really letting them leave?”

Though their alliance had made the Bloodhounds the Black Desert’s dominant force after Stinger’s fall, watching Beth and her people walk free left a bitter taste of unfinished conquest in the man’s mouth.

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Chapter 445 The Wolf’s Price

Chapter 445 The Wolf’s Price