Chapter 294 The Little Bird Flies First

• "A duel," Victor repeated flatly. "Father and son on a rooftop, winner takes Springfield. And if you lose, what do I collect? Your corpse?"
• Charles spread his hands, all easy charm. "The satisfaction of beating your own blood isn't enough?"
• "I don't fight for satisfaction." Victor's voice was ice over deep water. "You want my city. Then stake something I want. Carol Atelier—the real one. Alive, unharmed, released the moment you fall. Otherwise, there is no duel. I'll simply walk out of this room, and you can explain to the Puppetmaster why his little theater production closed on opening night."