"Now we can talk,"
The man stated with a slight, almost mocking smile. He glanced down at the twins, Sophia writhing in unbearable pain and Natalie standing with a look of helpless rage.
"You know why you, Sophia,"
He stated without any pretense of formality, folding his hands. To the twins, he seemed like a monster, towering over them.
Sophia, gathering her strength, managed to rise slightly and locked eyes with the man. She noticed how calmly he sipped his tea, indifferent to the torment they had just endured.
"Because I don't have internal energy,"
She thought, realizing she had been targeted with poison due to her being a mortal.
Despite being a mortal, she typically maintained her guard, but she could never have foreseen that the wealthiest man in the world would resort to such a crude and painful method. Her teeth clenched as she comprehended the extent of the situation. She knew there had to be some trigger for this excruciating pain.
"Hm, half right, I guess. But you see, you are half right,"
He remarked, almost casually. "You should have already understood your predicament. about why not your sister, as shedidn't even hesitate to attack me ignoring that any harm to my body would result in a barrage of bullets from my bodyguards,it shows she just think with her body, ofcourse that is not that bad, I like wild Cats"
[Human, I am not a Wild Cat]
'I am not referring to you, though'
"You! How dare you!"
Natalie, still shedding tears, couldn't contain her anger. Yet, Sophia's comforting hand reminded her of their position, urging her to hold back.
"What do you want?"
Sophia asked, dropping the formalities, her eyes switching between the man and her distraught sister.
"Nothing much. I want you to dig up all the information and secrets you can about all businessmen in Country E," he declared, catching both siblings off guard.
"What? Just for this, we endured such pain?"
Natalie's fists clenched, but seeing her sister's determination to comply, she knew it was time to leave this place. She couldn't bear being in this man's presence a moment longer.
"It will be with you within a day,"
Sophia responded, providing her sister the support she needed to stand.
"You have fifteen years. I want every piece to be perfect,"
The man instructed, leaving the twins puzzled. They had undergone excruciating pain for a task involving a seemingly insignificant country. Natalie's anger surged, but as she witnessed her sister's resolve, she understood it was time to put this harrowing experience behind them.
"We understand,"
Sophia said firmly, recognizing that they had no choice but to fulfill this request. Even without the agony, they would have eventually complied. Now, it was their priority. They would never forget this man and would eagerly await the day they could exact their revenge.
"That's my Sophia. I've grown fond of you," he smiled, causing Sophia to avert her eyes in disgust and grit her teeth. Miraculously, all the pain dissipated, as if it had never existed.
"You may leave. As for the poison, it won't harm you as long as you meet my conditions. Think of it as a reward for your hard work. I've unlocked your spiritual veins. Now, at least you can cultivate. I wouldn't want my women to die due to old age, would I?" He remarked nonchalantly.
Sophia's eyes widened; it was impossible for her to cultivate. If this level of pain was the price to pay for the ability to cultivate, she deemed it worth the suffering.
Natalie, too, comprehended the gravity of their newfound circumstance. This was their singular chance, and they were willing to do whatever it took to meet these conditions. She had exhausted every possibility, tried everything in her power to help her sister cultivate, but every attempt had seemed futile. The realization of what Avendial had given them, the potential it held, was overwhelming.
In a moment of unbridled joy and relief, her earlier grief transformed into euphoria. As if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders, she spontaneously hugged her sister.
Sophia, still trying to process the recent events, was taken aback by the sudden embrace, her eyes starting to well up, deeply moved by her sister's warmth and relief. The bond between them had never been stronger due to Sophia keeping slight gap between them because of her short life, she didn't wanted to make her sister helpless and all alone when she will leave.
"T-thank you, so much, sir,"
Sophia stuttered, her voice reflecting a mix of relief and uncertainty.
"Avendial, you can call me that, my dear Sophia,"
The man responded, a slight smile playing on his lips. Sophia felt a strange flutter in her chest at the endearing term he used. There was something about the way he said it that made her heart quicken.
"I-i....understand, Avendial,"
she managed to reply, her thoughts a bit jumbled, trying to grasp the situation.
"You can leave,"
Avendial said, allowing them to depart. They both nodded and made their way out, still processing the encounter.
For them, it was a mix of relief and apprehension. Who wouldn't want to live longer? The knowledge that they might not have as much time as others was a heavy burden, especially for Sophia, knowing she lacked spiritual roots.
.....
"Sister, how's your pain?"
Natalie asked, concerned, watching her sister settle into a chair without assistance.
"If my guess is correct, the pain I felt was due to the reconstruction of my spiritual roots, not some poison,"
Sophia explained, her face showing a glimmer of relief. She remembered the pain vividly but also understood the potential significance of what had just happened. That man, despite his cruel facade, had given her a gift she couldn't seem to repay.
"W-what, that bastard! you leave, sister. I will handle him,"
Natalie exclaimed, her frustration evident, rolling up her shirt cuffs, ready to take action and confront the man.
"Stop it, Natalie. You know he has given us something incredibly valuable. We will fulfill his demands. Come, sit. I need to start cultivation as soon as possible,"
Sophia urged, trying to make her sister understand the gravity of the situation. She knew they had to comply with his requests, no matter how distasteful they seemed.
.....
[Why did you do that, Human?]
Avendial turned towards the departing McLaren, then shifted his attention to the cat.
'You know, Zyrglax, humans don't need brainwashing to become useful tools. You just have to offer them rewards and ensure they fear you. That's the right way to train them,'
The cat seeming to comprehend human behavior and the strategic approach he employed to keep them in check by ensuring they don't become more greedy and also grateful to him.
[And why Country E? Didn't you already have memories of what's about to happen?]
The cat inquired, reminding the man of the memories it had shared, which were destined to unfold.
The man narrowed his gaze, contemplating the cat's words, before he began, 'Why do you think, of all the countries, those beings will choose the humblest one? Things aren't as simple as they appear. That's precisely why I need information about all the businessmen there. The future has already started to shift the moment Avendial escaped death.'
The cat grasped the depth of the man's words. The moment they intervened, the butterfly effect had already set off a chain reaction. Now, it was just the two of them against destiny.
....
In the largest building in the city, the emblem of a 'C' with an arrow depicted the mightiest empire in the world, the Croceus Industries. Inside a spacious and opulent office room, a woman with blonde hair and emerald eyes was engrossed in examining documents.
Standing beside her was her secretary, still in awe after witnessing the woman being taken from the slums and later announced as the boss's wife. She was gradually realizing that the woman was no ordinary person - she was a force to be reckoned with.
Breaking her reverie, the woman inquired with a solemn yet soothing voice, "So, during my husband's ailing health, some business rivals attempted to purchase our shares for control over major projects, correct?"
The secretary, Anastasia, was slightly taken aback before she responded, "Yes, Madam. After the President fell ill, Triswen Groups, in particular, targeted our shareholders, trying to win them over by acquiring substantial amounts of shares. However, the President had already issued a directive to halt any share sales before his illness."
"Triswens are testing the waters, aren't they? Well, why don't we give them exactly what they seem to want,"
The blonde woman smiled, placing her hands on her chin, elegantly folding her legs.
"I... I don't quite understand, Madam,"
Anastasia stammered, unsure of what her new boss was implying.
"Tell me, which of our businesses is incurring the most losses and is at the brink of closure?"
The woman asked, focusing on the practicalities. Even the largest businesses could have ventures in the red.
"Madam, our media house has not been generating significant profits this year. The President intended to infuse additional funds to enhance its prospects," Anastasia informed, maintaining her professional composure.
"Hmm, put the shares of one of our companies on the market and sell as many as possible," Lisia instructed her secretary, leaving Anastasia somewhat shocked. But before she could voice her thoughts, Lisia continued, "Create a fictitious subsidiary company under a different name and purchase all the shares of that company."
"So, you mean..." Anastasia hesitated, contemplating Lisia's explanation.
"What do you think will happen if those people notice that one of Croceus Group's shares is being sold at a discounted price, even if it's from a one of many companies under Croceus groups?" Lisia looked at her secretary, who was starting to grasp the situation.
"They will start buying the shares, anticipating a bright future for our media house," Anastasia ventured, the realization dawning upon her.
"That's right. And what if all the shares vanish from the market within minutes?" Lisia smiled, pleased with Anastasia's understanding.
"They will regret it and monitor other share prices for potential drops," Anastasia deduced, gaining confidence in her deductions.
"You've got it right. Then, we will sell the shares of our Media house without any discount even with higher price and they..." Lisia paused, gazing at Anastasia, who seemed to have fully comprehended the plan, a bright smile on her face.
Anastasia eagerly chimed in, "They will purchase all of it, fueled by regret and time constraints, unable to judge the situation beforehand."
"That's my Anastasia," Lisia praised, causing her secretary to blush with flustered delight.
Lisia playfully added, "Fufu~, husband mentioned you always react like this when mentioning this,guess he was right."
"Please Madam don't tease me"
Anastasia said as she bowed before leaving the office to initiate the plan.
.....
The following day, a ripple effect surged through the stock market as shares of one of Croceus Group's companies were sold at an unprecedented rate, vanishing within a mere minute.
This caused widespread commotion globally, capturing the attention of many tycoons, especially the Triswen Groups, the second-largest group in Country A and the wealthiest after Avendial Croceus. They saw this as a prime opportunity to acquire companies and secure the number one position.
However, when they received the news, their surprise was palpable, leading to frustration and anger.
*Smack!*
A middle-aged man lashed out and struck his secretary upon learning about this missed opportunity.
The secretary, trembling, explained,
"S-sir, the shares disappeared almost as soon as they were available."
"Of course, you idiot. It's Croceus Groups. Why would their shares stay in the market to begin with?"
The man chastised his secretary for the oversight, trying to maintain his composure.
After a moment, he composed himself and gave a firm order, "Keep a vigilant eye on the market. Purchase Croceus Group's shares the moment you see them, no matter what."
The next day, shares of another media house under Croceus Groups were released into the market, causing another wave of excitement. However, just like before, they vanished within a minute.
The secretary returned with a report, stammering
"S-sir, we p-purchased all of their media house shares."
The man, who was not wearing any pants, burst into laughter upon hearing the news. "Hahahaha, I heard his woman is handling the group. She started selling shares when she can't handle those businesses. Really fitting to be a woman."
Meanwhile, a woman was present in the room, performing an act on him. She was vigorously moving her head up and down, and he held her hair firmly, forcing her to continue. Her eyes were filled with tears from the rough treatment.
"Guess due to being a reporter, your mouth is quite skilled," he sneered, mocking her profession. The scene was a disturbing reflection of power dynamics and abuse of position,
"Ahhh~ Yes, take it, bitch"
He used both of his hands and pushed his shaft completely inside her neck as her eyes become red
*Cough* *Cough*
"Hahaha, I am happy today, So, this time I forgive you, again if you wrote any news about me, remember it will be your bedroom and in place of that secretary your husband;You can leave"
He closed her pants and looked towards the woman who was gasping for breath as laid on ground as tears can't seem to stop, as she grabbed all her clothes and took her leave, not wanting to stay here any moment.
"What's the condition of the company?"
He demanded, taking a seat after wearing his pants, eyes fixed on his secretary who avoided eye contact, clearly nervous.
"S-sir, I have asked for reports. They will arrive in a minute or two,"
The secretary stammered, fearing the repercussions.
After a few minutes, a man entered the office and handed over the documents to his boss. As he glanced through them, anger surged within him.
He bellowed, "What is this nonsense? Are you kidding me?"
In a fit of rage, he threw the file at his secretary's face and kicked his table, shattering it into two, fueled by his Bronze level body Cultivator strength.
"You idiot! We lost a total of 100 million GC due to your stupidity!" he yelled, his frustration reaching its peak. He glared at his secretary, who was now on the ground, trembling and begging for forgiveness.
"F-forgive me, sir. I just followed orders,"
The secretary pleaded, desperately trying to justify his actions.
As he looked at the man, practically a terrified rabbit, his mind played the memories of a woman with emerald eyes who was most likely responsible for all this.
The anger in him intensified, and he shouted,
"You bitch!"