As Abdul and the other Thraen delegates tentatively tried the nutritional packs and drinks, they couldn't help but remark on how bland they tasted compared to the delicacies they were accustomed to.
Abdul glanced at me with a wry smile and commented.
"Well, it may not be the most flavorful meal I've had, but I suppose it gets the job done."
I nodded in agreement and leaned forward to address them.
"Indeed, Consul Abdul, to us Terrans, the taste is secondary, even if It tastes like s*it as long as It can quench our hunger and thirst efficiently It's game on."
Netizens, listening to Dracula's words through the reporters' cameras, had their own opinions on the matter.
@SpaceFoodie: Nutritional packs that taste bland? I guess practicality comes first for the Terrans. #EfficiencyMatters
@CuisineConnoisseur: As a food lover, I'd have a hard time with those packs. But I respect their approach. #TerranPracticality
@FlavorChaser: Bland or not, if it keeps you alive, it's all you need. #SurvivalFirst
@TasteTesterGalaxy: I wonder if Terrans ever get to enjoy gourmet meals. #UniqueCuisine
@CosmicGastronomer: Let's hope they have some flavor-packed treats in store for the Thraen delegates later. #BlandButFunctional
@NutritionGeek: Balanced nutrition is key, taste is a bonus. #NutritionMatters
@FoodFusionExplorer: These packs might be a culinary challenge, but I'm curious about the practicality of Terran cuisine. #UniqueDining
@HungryAdventurer: Maybe they have spicy nutritional packs? #SpiceUpTheDiet
@DiplomaticObserver: The Terrans have a no-nonsense approach to food. Efficiency over flavor. #TerranPracticality
@GalacticTasteTrends: Bland or not, these nutritional packs must be a unique experience. #TerranCuisine
With the brief dining experience behind us, I snapped my fingers, and Ivan placed a suitcase on the table, taking out a stack of papers and passing them to Consul Abdul and everyone else.
"Now then, let's discuss our deals, shall we?"
I said, my tone businesslike and focused.
The Thraen delegates carefully examined the documents before them, huddled with their advisors in hushed voices, unaware that my augmented hearing allowed me to hear their hushed conversations as clear as day.
Among them, a woman named Ms. Leblanc one of the big five magnets from the Liberty States, couldn't withhold It any longer.
She leaned forward and asked the question that had been on her mind, her voice carrying a tone of uncertainty and a hint of desperation.
"Imperator, with all due respect,"
She began cautiously.
"What will it cost me to get my hands on your life extension technology without joining the Imperium?"
Wolf, standing beside me, leaned closer and whispered her identity.
"Imperator that's Mrs. Leblanc one of the Liberty States five business fields bigshots, apparently she had been diagnosed with late-stage cancer"
Wolf remainder me, each Thraen that had come onboard had been thoroughly investigated by TAI.
The Thraen delegates fell into silence, their eyes now fixed on me, waiting for my response.
Sensing their anticipation, I couldn't help but sneer in contempt, my red eyes cold and piercing.
"Mrs. Leblanc,"
I retorted with a hint of mockery.
"To acquire our life extension technology without joining the Imperium, it will cost you 99 percent of all your personal wealth, In other words, 9 trillion Liberty States Dollars"
My words hung heavy in the air, and I let the weight of the demand sink in, but I wasn't finished.
"And don't even think about trying to cheat me,"
I continued, my tone unwavering.
"I know exactly how much clear and dirty money you have, and I'm well aware of every little dirty secret you hold. You can thank the Internet and every other modern technology of yours for that."
The Thraen delegates exchanged uneasy glances, realizing that If I knew everything there was to know about a bigshot such as Mrs Leblanc then I most likely knew everything about them too and that made them terrified.
After all, If one of their dirty secrets got exposed live then It would be the end of their careers.
Netizens, who had been following the live broadcast of the negotiations, had plenty to say about the shocking demand.
@TechMagnate: Imperator Dracula isn't pulling any punches! 9 trillion LSDs for life extension? #CostOfImmortality
@WealthyElite: Is it worth giving up 99% of your wealth for the chance to live up to 300 years?#LifeExtensionDeal
@SecretsExposed: Imperator Dracula knows everyone's secrets? I cant help but feel terrified at the thought of It now that's some high-tech espionage! #TechAdvantage
@BargainHunter: Bargaining skills at their finest! Wonder if Mrs. Leblanc will counteroffer. #HighStakesNegotiation
@FuturistDreamer: Life extension for a price. Would you make the deal? #PriceOfImmortality
"Cough cough* Imperator with all due respect youre joke Is well Its not funny at all"
The woman said her face stoic as every other Thraens.
"Oh I'm not joking I'm dead serious Mrs. Leblanc."
A hushed tension filled the room as everyone waited for my next words. Even the Thraen dignitaries were taken aback, unsure of what would happen next.
"For example, I know you're currently f*cking youre personal driver behind your husband's back"
The room fell into an eerie silence as my words hung in the air. All eyes turned to Ms. Leblanc, who had turned as red as a tomato. Her stoic facade shattered, replaced by shock and disbelief.
"How... how do you know this?"
She stammered, her voice trembling with a mix of embarrassment and anger.
The revelation had sent shockwaves through the cafeteria.
...
Mr. Leblac was busy watching his ridiculously large TV as his personal maid who was forty years younger than him was giving him the head only to hear the shocking revelation about his wife.
"F*cking b*tch!"
The man who was no better cursed at the top of his lungs as he shoved away his mind In a fit of anger because he couldn't accept the fact that his wife cheated on him.
...
I leaned back in my chair, a devilish grin on my face as I revealed my source of information.
"Thank your driver's car," I remarked casually, enjoying the chaos and drama that had unfolded.
Netizens watching the live broadcast had another field day with this unexpected turn of events.
@ScandalWatcher: Imperator Dracula just dropped a bombshell! Scandalous! #ThraenNegotiations
@RelationshipDrama: Mrs. Leblanc's secret affair exposed on live TV! This is intense! #SecretAffairRevealed
@EpicBlackmail: Dracula's got the dirt on everyone! This is next-level negotiation tactics. #BlackmailImperator
@ShockingRevelations: Did he just reveal an affair on live TV? Unreal! #LiveBroadcastDrama
@CaughtRedHanded: Ms. Leblanc's husband must be fuming right now. This is going to be messy. #RelationshipDrama
@LifeInRuins: What happens next? Can they still negotiate after this bombshell? #NegotiationDisrupted
@ScandalExposed: Imperator Dracula's got the secrets, and he's not afraid to use them! #DramaUnleashed
@RuthlessImperator: Dracula's tactics are ruthless! No one's safe from his revelations. #NegotiationStrategies
@LiveTVShocker: The most dramatic negotiation ever! Are they still going to continue? #ThraenDeal
@DiplomacyGoneWild: Negotiations just took a wild turn! Can they recover from this? #NegotiationTwist
"So do we have a deal or not, Mrs Leblanc?"
I asked lazily, my gaze unwavering and my chin resting on my fist.
After a tense moment of deliberation, the woman finally agreed, her teeth audibly grinding in frustration.
"Where should I transfer the resources?"
She begrudgingly inquired.
I leaned back in my chair, a sardonic smile playing on my lips.
"I don't need your money, Mrs Leblanc,"
I replied with a sense of finality.
"What I require are resources equivalent to your wealth, my logistics officer Ivan will contact you with the details, and a kindly reminder don't try to pull anything okay, because if you do well my boys will have to pay you a visit"
I said while pointing with my thumb at my death marines watching the Thraens like hawks causing the men and women to subconsciously swallow gulps of saliva.
After all, they had seen my ruthlessness and what my marines could do.