Renata?
Li Lin's expression subtly changed.
He had recently come across information about this rising Chem-Baron from Zaun in the newspapers. Glasc Industries, a conglomerate of over a dozen factories, was once again expanding. They were investing heavily in producing high-end perfumes, gearing up to enter the luxury skincare industry.
Attempting to suppress Baroness Bonnie, the Chem-Baron, they had bought nearly a third of her cabaret at a high price, almost pushing her out of the Chem-Barons' circle.
They were involved in joint ventures for mass-producing golems with Chem-Baron Lenare, sponsoring the military industry, acquiring several mines, providing loans, and job opportunities for the citizens of Zaun.
Recently, she even inquired about the Tide Power Station, and her intentions were quite evident.
In terms of wealth, she had completely surpassed all the other Chem-Barons.
Li Lin had thought about talking to Chem-Baroness Renata Glasc about her attitude towards Piltover.
However, he had been entangled in various matters in recent days, making it impossible to find the time. So, he temporarily put this matter aside.
Now, she was unexpectedly seeking to meet him.
Li Lin's mind rapidly churned as he realized a problem, looking at Silco strangely.
"Wait a minute, if Glasc wants to see me, why are you here? I find it hard to believe you've been waiting here for me."
He glanced at the six enhanced henchmen standing around, "And why bring your modified henchmen?"
"Hehe..." Silco regained his faint smile, "It's just a coincidence. She happened to want to meet me too, to discuss some business matters."
"She wants to meet you, knows you have a business relationship with me, so she asked you to bring me along, right? And if I hadn't coincidentally encountered you today, you would have gone to negotiate with Glasc yourself."
Silco remained silent, maintaining a default expression.
Li Lin felt a bit speechless.
Apparently, he was just an extra in this situation.
"Anyway, that's not the point," Li Lin didn't want to dwell on this meaningless topic, "Do you know what she wants to discuss with me?"
"I'm not a mind reader. How would I know what's on her mind?" Silco shrugged, "We'll only find out when we meet her."
Li Lin furrowed his brows, contemplating the pros and cons.
Silco was now almost on par with Vander.
If Vander's control over the Undercity depended on his past influence, Silco relied entirely on his ruthless methods.
Li Lin was aware that Silco hadn't forgotten the original purpose of Zaun's rise.
But everything Chem-Baroness Renata did had nothing to do with the development and rise of Zaun. It was almost impossible for Silco to secretly ally with her to deal with him.
After sorting out his thoughts a bit, Li Lin's brows relaxed, "Where is the meeting place she suggested?"
Silco didn't answer the question, just clapped his hands lightly, gathering his subordinates around him.
Then, he nodded at Li Lin, "Let's go. She's currently at Lanes."
...
...
Separated by more than ten streets from The Last Drop tavern, in a narrow alley, there was a place with a sign reading "Glasc Disco Hall" - a vibrant and lively establishment.
Wearing powered armor, Li Lin and Silco, surrounded by their entourage, pushed through the crowd of people already high on stimulants, swinging their bottles wildly. They made their way up the stairs to the third floor.
There was only one private room on the third floor, also the most luxurious one, catering to just one person.
Silco beckoned his subordinates to wait here, then walked to the door of the private room with Li Lin.
At that moment, two burly men, two meters tall, covered in menacing tattoos, blocked their way.
One of them, with a sharp gaze as if cutting through them with a knife, spoke, "Do you have a reservation?"
"Silco," Silco straightened his clothes a bit, stating only a name.
Instantly, an air of authority emerged, putting immense pressure on the two burly men in front of them.
"Oh, Silco, and also Li Lin from the Kiramman family," he added.
The two burly men looked at each other for a moment.
Then, the one who spoke before hastily changed his tone, "Mr. Silco, may the Gray never raises to your door."
Following that, the other burly man continued, "You can see Chem-Baroness Glasc, but you need to surrender your weapons."
Speaking, this burly man's uneasy eyes occasionally glanced at Li Lin by Silco's side.
Evidently, Li Lin's reputation in Piltover wasn't as resounding as in Zaun.
However, he wouldn't compromise just because of this, "This powered armor can't be taken off."
He spoke without hesitation.
"Then we can't..."
"Let them in." The slightly hoarse voice of a woman interrupted the first strong man.
Both guards frowned unconsciously, but they both stepped aside, revealing the door to the private room behind them.
Silco, expressionless, lifted the curtain and walked straight in.
Li Lin had no intention of competing with him. He followed in his footsteps into the dimly lit private room.
On the sofa on one side of the room sat a middle-aged woman with hair half-black and half-gray. She wore a white dress with a black shirt underneath, and her slightly darkened skin revealed a wealthy, alchemical-enhanced prosthetic with an unknown flower pattern carved on her right arm, containing green flowing liquid.
The woman held a glass goblet in her left hand, half-filled with rich and mellow high-quality wine.
She was the richest in the Chem-Barons, Renata Glasc.
Seeing Li Lin and Silco, her lips curved a smile, raising the wine glass in a gesture of invitation.
"The famous Silco, one of the leaders of the 'Day of Ashes' in the past. It's an honor to meet you."
Li Lin was completely ignored by her.
Renata's attitude made Li Lin feel uneasy.
Is it because she knows I am from the Piltover Kiramman family that she treats me like this?
Upon hearing Renata's words, Silco's mouth twitched imperceptibly.
This guy comes up and rubs salt on his wounds; it doesn't look like she's ready to talk business seriously.
"Let's forget about the past."
Silco looked indifferently at Renata's right arm, then sat down on the sofa opposite her with Li Lin.
"You said you wanted to talk about business with me. I'm here. What deal do you want to make?"
As he spoke about his own affairs, Silco also spoke for Li Lin.
"And my friend, Li Lin... Since you wanted to see him, the sincerity you showed just now is far from enough."
Silco's tone was calm, and his words were pointedly counter to Renata.
"Hahaha... Silco, you are indeed worthy of your reputation."
Renata laughed, putting down her wine glass and taking two high-footed glasses from the table in front of her, placing them in front of Li Lin and Silco.
Then, she poured half a glass of grape wine for each of them, raising her own glass again.
"This is a fine grape wine."
Silco just glanced at it, showing no intention to drink.
Li Lin didn't need to say anything either.
They were both waiting for Renata to state her purpose.
Everyone was smart, and Renata was well aware of this.
Seeing that Li Lin and Silco were not cooperating, she stopped playing games, and the smile at the corner of her mouth disappeared.
"I would like to invest."
Renata casually glanced at Li Lin's powered armor and Silco's left eye.
"Your armor is good. The new diving power armor for Piltover canal workers, was it your invention?"
"I advise you to dispel this idea; I won't sell this armor," Li Lin coldly snorted.
"No, it's in the interests of Kiramman. I dare not touch it. I just want to ask you about the purchase, regarding the dam you are currently building."
While speaking, Renata didn't give Li Lin a chance to reply, immediately turning her gaze to Silco.
"I heard that you have an alchemist under your command who invented a highly effective potion..."
Li Lin's eyelids twitched.
The alchemist she mentioned... could it be Singed?
The alchemical potion he invented, if not Shimmer, what else could it be...
Silco slightly narrowed his right eye, a dangerous glint flickering at the bottom.
"I heard it's called Shimmer, right? that's a good name." Lenare paused briefly, then smiled, "I wonder... if I can sponsor its research?"
(End of the chapter)
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