Amazon's Coliseum III (ENG)

Chapter 76: The Smiths

Minerva Arena, The City

In the arena's backstage, a funereal silence hung heavy. No one spoke; glances were exchanged, each fighter trying to find answers or words to respond to Bunny's proposal: sell the Coliseum and Chocolate's businesses to the Financial Messiahs. Tension knotted the air.

Aurora was the first to break the icy quiet, her words stumbling.

—So... they want to buy the Coliseum?

—Do you know who they are? —Marissa asked, her voice laden with caution.

Bunny revealed the names and professions of the prospective buyers.

—My dad knew the last guy you mentioned —Marissa added—. They never got along; he did more business with my uncle.

—What was he like? —Tamaki inquired.

—Like any rich businessman who just wants to monopolize everything and make more money. Sure, some are worse than others, but they're all greedy.

—I know who the other one is —Ale interjected—. He's a sports magnate in the country and has a lot of political connections. From what I can tell, these aren't just any local business types.

—Wasn't he the owner of the Zaraperos? —Blazer asked.

—And other baseball teams too; he recently bought a conglomerate that owned several football clubs.

—Pesadotes los vatos, pues —Blazer concluded.

—That's right.

—And why are you okay with this? —Artemis asked Bunny, her tone reflecting confusion.

—Do you really think we're good enough businesswomen to rescue companies with legal and tax problems, which only stayed afloat because Chocolate was at the helm?

—We won't know if we don't try —Niane analyzed, her voice measured.

—I heard Attila told you to keep fighting as long as, in the end, the victory is worth it. Otherwise, it'll be a pyrrhic victory that brings us more battles we simply can't win. This, honestly, is one of those.

—¿Entonces qué ped? —Blazer scoffed, crossing her arms, her indignation palpable—. We just hand it over? After everything we've been through? Excuse me, my little bunny, but you're pendeja if you think I'll take that.

—It's not about handing it over, Carla —Bunny said calmly, stepping toward the center of the group—. It's about having a better option. A way out, maybe.

Marissa raised an eyebrow, arms crossed, her expression deeply skeptical.

—An option for what? To hand over what we fought for to a bunch of billionaires who'll just repeat the cycle, but with them in charge? I mean, basically this is doing what we didn't want to happen when Aurora went into that cage and almost died at Attila's hands. It's not fair. Besides, are they that desperate to put up that much cash for these companies?

—With those connections, we're simply trading one tyrant for another —Artemis interjected, her voice firm.

—Exactly! —Pfefferberg cut in, pacing nervously—. Those bastards don't just throw that kind of money around without something in mind, without taking big risks. What's the catch?

—Legitimacy, a front —Ale offered, a thoughtful look on her face—. Chocolate will leave, her empire is crumbling; it's not like everything will be orderly once she's gone. No, the Messiahs who take over will fight to claim that throne, and the battle will be tough and bloody.

—I have to admit, they are ahead of the curb —Artemis analyzed, a shadow of resignation in her eyes—. They know that with all those businesses, all of Chocolate's legal and illegal ventures, they'll have enough leverage to become owners of the City and, by extension, the State, and thus gain political and financial power.