Chapter 71 - 70: A Clean Sweep
"It’ll probably be a while. We have to wait for the six compatriots to finish their checkups and psychological counseling. The higher-ups sent a private jet to pick them up, and our plane will return at the same time."
"Alright. You all get some rest, then. I’m going over there," Yvonne Lowell said, jutting her chin in Reed’s direction.
...
Seeing her approach, Reed hurried forward, his face etched with concern. "Feeling any better?"
"Relax. I’m not going to die on your turf."
"Tch, always so stubborn." Reed rolled his eyes at her. "But you were way too reckless this time. It almost didn’t feel like you."
"Hah. What, did you think I was possessed by a ghost or something?" Yvonne Lowell changed the subject. "Anyway, enough about that. How about we talk business?"
Reed gave her a reproachful look. "Is this really the time?! You almost got yourself killed! And you’re here trying to talk business with me?! Can’t you be less greedy for once?!"
Yvonne Lowell’s gaze drifted into the distance as she spoke in a voice low enough for only the two of them to hear.
"I’ll help you wipe them all out in one fell swoop. In return, I want one of your gold mines in the south. How about it? It’s a good deal, right?"
Reed was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with joy. "Are you serious?!"
"Less talk. Are you in or not?"
"Of course I’m in!" Reed’s expression grew increasingly gleeful, and he even started rubbing his hands together greedily. "But, uh... come on, it’s us, right? We go way back. How about a little discount?"
"Hah, sure," Yvonne Lowell said, shooting him a sidelong glance, her words laced with meaning. "Go ahead and place an order on the website, then. Or just let them carry on like this. If it comes to that, I can’t say what kind of price my people will quote you."
Reed pouted. "Fine, fine. But let’s agree on this beforehand—just one, okay? Not a single one more."
’One mine, he could still authorize. He could even pay for it out of his own pocket.’
’Any more than that, and he’d have to consult the others. What a pain!’
’Besides, the one thing Country X wasn’t short on was mineral veins and money.’
’If he could trade one mine for the long-term peace of his people, this deal was an absolute bargain!’
"Got it. Just don’t go backing out on me."
"We’ve known each other for so long, and that’s what you think of me?! Am I that kind of person? Who am I? I’m Reed!" Reed glared at her.
Yvonne Lowell ignored him and made a call. "Do it. Leave no survivors."
After hanging up, she found Reed staring at her with wide eyes, as if she were some heartbreaker who’d just cheated on him.
Yvonne Lowell was a little amused. "What?"
"You had this planned from the start, didn’t you?! You were setting a trap for me?! Just waiting for me right here?!" Reed felt as if his world was collapsing.
"They hurt me, so naturally, they have to pay the price." Yvonne Lowell shrugged. "And as a bonus, I get to fleece you a little."
Yvonne Lowell lowered her gaze, hiding the flicker of ruthlessness that passed through her eyes.
She had already dispatched people to Country X before she even set out for the mission.
She didn’t have many virtues, but her greatest one was being fiercely protective of her own—and her family was a line that could not be crossed.
Anyone who held her parents hostage had to be prepared to suffer her revenge. What’s more, that little rookie actually managed to wound her.
If word of this got out, the others would laugh at her for a whole year.
Aside from injuries sustained during training back on Apeiron, no one had ever wounded her and gotten away in one piece.
The other reason was that out of all her business partners, Reed was the stingiest—bar none.
They had known each other for six years, and the guy had been in power for four. They had collaborated quite a few times.
But the number of times she’d managed to pry money from that iron-fisted miser could be counted on one hand. It was a blessing from the heavens if he didn’t try to haggle the price down.
’So this time, one way or another, she has to make him bleed a little. Besides, this is clearly a win-win situation, right?’
"You... you... you... you...!!!" Reed was so angry he was speechless.
"Alright, enough with the ’you-you-you-ing.’ If there’s nothing else, you should get going. After all, you’re about to be very busy," Yvonne Lowell said, nonchalantly twirling her phone.
"What about you? Want to stay and hang out for a few more days? I can have my people make arrangements."
"No need. Maybe next time. I have business in Aurelia, so I’ll leave with them," Yvonne Lowell said, gesturing with her chin toward the group.
"Alright then. I’ll head back first. Be careful with your wound," Reed urged.
"Relax." Yvonne Lowell started to walk away, giving him a wave over her shoulder.
Reed chuckled in spite of himself. ’Falcon seems... a lot more human than she used to be.’
On the way back to his headquarters, Reed received news of the attack. There were no survivors.
While heaving a huge sigh of relief, he also started to feel a pang of regret for the gold mine he’d been fleeced out of.
’Sigh. When an iron rooster meets a pair of pliers, getting plucked is inevitable.’
’Oh well. He was used to it.’
...
Once everything was in order, the entire group departed for the embassy.
When they arrived, Consultant Cole spoke up. "Thank you all for your hard work. We couldn’t have done it without you today. We’ve already gotten the personnel settled in and prepared some food for you. Please eat and get some rest."
Then he turned to Yvonne Lowell. "Miss, we’ve prepared a small lounge for you so you can eat in private."
"Alright, thank you."
Yvonne Lowell was just about to reach for a meal box when Theodore Zane took it first.
"Senior, I’ll carry it over for you."
Yvonne Lowell found this a little funny. "My shoulder is injured, it’s not like I lost a limb."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, don’t say that! The master said you have to avoid jinxes! You can’t say unlucky things like that." After speaking, Theodore Zane even stomped on the ground a few times.
"Besides, I’m just trying to show my filial... ah, no, my respect, heheh. Respect."
Yvonne Lowell rolled her eyes at him. "I don’t have a son who’s older than me."
Theodore Zane placed the meal box on the table, looking incredulous. "Senior, you’re younger than me? That can’t be right! I’m only 24!"
’Shit! I just gave myself away!’
"Ahem, a little younger." Yvonne Lowell raised a hand to rub her neck. "Alright, you go eat too."
Theodore Zane didn’t press the issue. He was in a hurry to get out and share this big news with the guys!
"Alright then. Rest up after you eat. We’ll call for you before we leave." Theodore Zane walked out, pulling the door closed behind him.
Yvonne Lowell took off her mask, opened the meal box, and forced down a few bites.
She was truly exhausted today, both mentally and physically, so she simply lay down on her side on the sofa to take a short nap.
...
Groggily, she thought she heard a knock. She opened her eyes, irritated. "Who is it?"
There was a moment of silence from outside. "Senior, it’s Blaze! Is it a good time to come in?"
"Are we leaving?" Yvonne Lowell sat up.
"No, it’s the couple you rescued earlier. They’re insisting on thanking you in person. They’re outside right now. Is now a good time?"