Chapter 853

“Yes, I have already instructed them to leave. Did you think I would give you the opportunity to use me to threaten them?” Barney replied firmly.

“Mr. President, don’t worry. I’ve sent our men to keep an eye on the airport. They won’t be able to leave,” Jamie quickly reassured Marcus. They had already revealed their intention, so there was no need to hold back anymore.

“Okay.” Marcus heaved a sigh of relief. “Barney, you should reconsider my proposal. Why would you choose to be imprisoned? If you agree to assist me, I can assure you that you will receive anything you desire,” he promised.

Barney said naught a word.

Those who had different beliefs wouldn’t get along with each other, so Barney had nothing else to say to Marcus.

His only wish was that Sophie and Arius had been able to leave safely.

Nothing else mattered.

“Take him upstairs,” Marcus commanded. He was frustrated with Barney’s unwavering stance, despite his attempts to persuade him.

What a stubborn man. I can’t believe he rejected me despite my generous offer. D*mn it!

The bodyguards had just arrived to take Barney away when another person came in to report, “Mr.

President, Sophie Tanner and Arius Gullifer are outside and have requested to enter the mansion.”

“What?” Marcus was taken aback by the unexpected news that Sophie and Arius had arrived at his mansion. He had assumed that they had already fled the country.

“Bring them in. See, Dr. Smith? Your mentees have made their decision. It’s not easy for anyone to reject Anglandur,” Marcus said with a smirk. For many, entering Anglandur was a dream come true, and he could offer them everything they desired. He was confident that they wouldn’t be able to resist his enticing offer.

Barney’s face paled visibly. He was frustrated that Sophie and Arius hadn’t followed his advice to leave the country. Sophie had competent fighting skills, but entering the president’s residence was a risky move, and Barney didn’t think they had a chance of leaving once they were inside. He couldn’t understand why they were so naive.

Right then, Sophie and the other two walked in to see Barney’s ashen face.

Frowning, Sophie demanded, “Dr. Smith, what happened? Did they bully you?” She didn’t forget to shoot Marcus a pointed look as she said that.

Marcus quickly shook his head. “Ms. Tanner, what are you talking about? Why would I bully him? I have nothing but respect for Dr. Smith and you both,” he said politely, his previous arrogance all gone.

He was willing to do anything to make them stay, even if it meant he had to flatter them against his wishes.

Barney spoke in a hushed tone. “Sophie, didn’t I tell you to go? Why did you come here? Do you realize where we are? It’s the president’s residence. Once you enter, you can’t just leave whenever you want.”

Marcus wouldn’t let them leave easily unless they agreed to his conditions.

Sophie assured him, “Dr. Smith, there’s no need to be so worked up. This isn’t a dangerous place, so why can’t we come here? Stop fretting. You’re our mentor, so there’s no way we’d leave you here alone.”

Arius chimed in, “Dr. Smith, I don’t know what to say to you anymore. I told you not to worry, but why didn’t you listen to me?”

Sophie and Tristan were around, so Marcus wouldn’t be able to harm them. Yet, Barney still insisted on coming to the president’s residence alone and ended up getting threatened.

Barney let out a sigh.

“I came here for your sake. I don’t want to trouble you guys.” However, he couldn’t ignore the fact that their association with him had put them in a troublesome situation. Knowing Marcus, he realized that it wouldn’t be easy for them to leave unscathed.

No matter where they went, they couldn’t be completely free as they were merely pawns to someone else.

It was difficult to be able to research freely and independently.

Sophie sighed. “Dr. Smith, why can’t you understand that you’re not a trouble to us?”

Right then, she had to acknowledge that the difference in their cultural backgrounds prevented them from comprehending each other entirely.

Tristan was present as well, assuring them, “Don’t worry, I’m here to help!”

He wasn’t afraid of anything. Those people would have to go through him first if they wanted to harm his wife.

“Ms. Tanner, Professor Gullifer, please calm down. I wasn’t trying to harm him. I just want you to stay to help me out. If you agree, I’ll be forever indebted to you,” Marcus implored.

“Oh, really?” Sophie pulled out a chair and sat down. “What will you offer us, then?”

Hearing her question, Marcus relaxed and broke into a grin. As long as she was open to discussion, he was confident in persuading her to stay.

Tristan sat down beside Sophie.

Arius let out an icy snort. Why would she want to talk to them? We should just fight our way out.

Barney was clueless about Sophie’s intentions, but at this point, he had no control over the situation.

Marcus proposed, “If you decide to stay, I’ll allocate ten percent of my company’s profits toward your research.” He knew they needed a lot of money to fund their research. After allowing them to consider his proposal for a moment, he continued, “Moreover, when I become the next president, I can also—”

Sophie interrupted him by raising her hand. “Frankly speaking, you’re not suited for the position, so I think you should abandon your aspirations. I have no desire to be associated with you,” she declared.

Marcus never imagined that someone would have the audacity to say those words to him directly.

“You—”

“I’m merely stating the truth. You don’t have what it takes to be a competent president, and your actions are detrimental to Anglandur. If Anglandur had a more capable leader, it wouldn’t be in this current state,” Sophie interjected bluntly. Even though it wasn’t her concern, she voiced her opinion without any hesitation.

“Hey!” Marcus heaved angrily.

“How dare you speak like that? Are you even aware of who you’re addressing? The nerve of you!”

Jamie snapped furiously.

Marcus placed his hand on his chest, trying to calm himself down. He couldn’t fathom how a woman in her twenties had managed to enrage him so effortlessly.

“Sophie.” Barney shot Sophie an apprehensive glance. Knowing that Marcus wasn’t a forgiving person by nature, he anticipated that he would hold a grudge against her for speaking her mind. This would undoubtedly lead to more trouble for them.

“Don’t worry, Dr. Smith. I spoke the truth, so I don’t think the president will be angry with me,” Sophie responded while glancing at Marcus.

Marcus’ voice was glacial as he said, “So no matter what I say, you won’t be staying, right?”

“That’s correct. No matter what you say, we won’t stay,” Sophie responded resolutely. She saw no point in engaging in further conversation as it would be futile.

“If that’s how it is, then I’m left with no option but to take drastic measures,” Marcus retorted. “I didn’t want it to come to this, but you’ve left me with no choice.”