"No. No way. You absolutely can't stay here." Ryder stated while blowing some joint. His head shaking. "I mean what are you even doing here? This is not a place for someone like you. Especially you. This is not a place just to 'pass some time'. Are you kidding me, Morgan?"
"Yeah." Morgan calmly answered as she drink her fresh milk.
"Yeah? What do you mean yeah?! That's it?! Is... is that milk? You're seriously drinking milk right now? Where did you even get that?" Exploded Ryder.
"What? Milk is good. It's healthy. And I need to stay healthy and in shape to survive this place." Morgan innocently replied.
Ryder was rendered speechless. He can't even...
"We cannot guarantee your safety here, Morgan. I can't guarantee you anything. Hell we can't even guarantee our own safety. And I would very much like for you to leave this place in one piece. Alive. So while there's still time, why don't you pack up eh?"
Morgan's sudden arrival almost gave Ryder a heart attack. Morgan is too beautiful for this place. Way too beautiful. She smells money, a lot of money from miles away. And the people living here are like hounds that can sniff it out of her. They didn't even need to sniff. One look at her and they can see that she comes from money. What the hell was he supposed to do now? Morgan will surely attract the attention of powerful and dangerous people whom she ought to stay far away from.
Morgan squarely looked at him and crossed her arms. 'Yeah, lots of attention, alright' he thought.
"Now why would I do that? I don't need protection. I think. I hope. I merely need some... guidance. Besides, I need to build some connections here. And I need to train."
"What connections are you trying to build exactly huh? You can make them somewhere else. Preferably in some high-end hotel while hosting a silly charity gala and serving some carnivours and schmoozing with the rich pricks. There's your connection. It's safe and glamorous. You can train there, too."
"It's Hors d'Oeuvre. No need to worry, love. I promise to leave this place in one piece. And alive. But it wouldn't be anytime soon. So please take care of me, master!" Beamed Morgan.
Carnivours, Hors d'Oeuvre, whatever.
Ryder wants to smash his head on the wall and strangle Morgan.
Xaoc Harbor.
Den of the most notorious criminals alive. Cartels, mobs, mercenaries, escaped convicts, dismissed soldiers who committed heinous crimes, con artists, thieves... You name it, they got it here. There is nothing illegal in this place. Buying a gun that is banned in over 40 countries straight up from a store for 2 grands without the need for a license? Totally legal and normal. If you want to live in this place, then you're on your own.
Breathing deeply, Morgan reverently said, "this place is perfect."
This is exactly the place where she needs to be.
———————————————
On the other side of the world...
"Boss, I think Cross Enterprise pissed someone off. Their shares became worthless" reported Mike, the diligent assistant of Jethro Rotenberg, CEO of the Rotenberg Industries.
"That's better then. One insect off the list without us having to waste resources and time. Find out who they offended."
"Right away, Boss."
Jethro raised his glass and drowned the entire whiskey. Cross Enterprise, although not considered a big shot is by no means a small time company either. Only someone powerful can ruin their stocks in such a short period time. He wondered who did it. Last time he checked, Cross Enterprise did not offend any of the major players. Well, they couldn't afford to.
It seems that penetrating the US won't be as easy as he thought. But he particularly likes a challenge. He thrives for it. Otherwise conquering US won't be as satisfying. I shall see what these so called big 5 families are made of then.
Jethro smirked.