Time rewinds to a few days before the Chamber of Commerce began.
That's the day Jonas summoned Requiel to the office.
The girl's hands rested atop her head, her mouth slightly agape, breathing heavily, her demeanor imbued with a bitter taste. Yet Jonas did not spend much time admiring the girl's comical gesture; instead, he spoke amidst her gaze filled with hatred:
"I can truly empathize with Miss Requiel's emotions... After all, no one wishes to betray their beloved."
With these words, he paused, rose from his seat, and smilingly continued:
"But have you ever considered that what I speak of is not a form of betrayal?"
She looked at Jonas, her gaze still brimming with hatred and stubbornness, seemingly not shaken much by his words.
Seemingly sensing the girl's emotions, Jonas sighed, then proceeded:
"Miss Requiel, you must understand, in many cases, betrayal often arises under unfavorable circumstances..."
With that said, he snapped his fingers, and the girl finally regained control of her body, albeit only from the waist up.
Finally able to speak, the girl couldn't help but grit her teeth, her tone replete with resentment:
"You despicable scoundrel, I would rather die than be manipulated by you."
This statement actually stemmed from the girl's sense of self-esteem; Jonas's casual manipulation of her dignity made her feel deeply humiliated...
"Miss Requiel still seems to have not grasped that we are actually on the same boat," Jonas said with a hint of resignation, but upon hearing this, Requiel couldn't help but spit out in disdain:
"■■ and you are on the same boat."
Ignoring Requiel's words, Jonas continued to explain nonchalantly:
"I never intended to harm Miss Tianyu. In fact, this behavior can be seen from when I sent her back to the Eneris District."
This statement somewhat calmed Requiel down. She glanced at Jonas askance, refraining from retorting.
Indeed, it was true. If Jonas had intended harm towards Tianyu, she wouldn't have returned unscathed to the Eneris District the last time.
But this didn't mean Jonas harbored no malice towards Tianyu. On the contrary, Requiel even faintly felt that he sent her back to the Eneris District to further torment Tianyu.
The girl's speculation was not far from the truth, but Jonas's skill in sophistry and inducement was simply outrageous.
Seeing Requiel no longer speaking, Jonas began his devilish coaxing.
"In fact, I admire Miss Tianyu's unwavering determination... But that determination is too immature, immature to the point where I feel pity... It's like finding a treasure after countless hardships, only to have it embedded in a stone wall, requiring me to chip away at the wall to obtain it..."
Jonas's words struck directly at Requiel's thoughts. After all, wasn't she also drawn to Tianyu's determination?
Though unsure if Jonas's words were true or false, at least Requiel's initial resistance and hatred weren't as strong.
"But how easy is all this? Even if the wall is chipped away, the other side, untouched by the sea, won't be as beautiful as I imagine."
Jonas's words carried a hint of regret, which resonated with Requiel.
A complex expression flickered in her eyes, and it was at this moment that Jonas continued:
"After much deliberation, I finally came up with a solution..."
He said, looking into the girl's eyes, then continued:
"That is for me to replace the washing of the sea and give it a baptism."
Upon hearing this, Requiel couldn't help but feel a tremor in her heart, her emotions becoming even more complex.
"And true liberation often requires enduring hardships, just as Hercules became a hero after enduring twelve trials... All this is also a trial I set up for Miss Tianyu."
With Jonas's words, Requiel's mind was already in a tangle.
After a long while, she struggled to speak:
"Are you sure you won't hurt her?"
"Of course, all this is what we want, isn't it?"
Jonas smiled, his face resembling that of a devil who had succeeded in his scheme.
............
Time returned to the present.
Looking at the white-haired Tianyu lying unconscious before him, Jonas sighed.
In truth, he didn't want to engage in such despicable acts... but Miss Yucas's presence would undoubtedly affect his future actions, so instead of adding a variable, it's better to let Miss Yucas leave early.
Miss Yucas's role as a pawn had been fulfilled, and Tianyu should have formulated a new plan based on his actions.
Given the cautious nature of the other party, what happened here would undoubtedly affect her subsequent actions.
And this also happened to coincide with Jonas's idea... luring the tiger off the mountain.
Looking at Jonas beside her, Requiel's gaze was somewhat complicated, her expression hidden in the shadow of her hair, making it difficult for others to discern her thoughts.
She naturally understood what Jonas wanted to do next, which made the girl fall into a deeply conflicted state.
Requiel wanted to stop Jonas, but now she could only watch helplessly as he gradually led Tianyu into the abyss, even becoming his accomplice.
Truth be told, when she saw these members of the Fate Organization lying unconscious in disarray in the stairwell, she didn't feel much... because she didn't have any sense of belonging to the Fate Organization herself.
Just as Jonas said, what she cared about, from beginning to end, was only Tianyu.
"Don't stand there daydreaming."
Jonas's voice rang out, causing Requiel to shiver involuntarily, then she turned her head to look at the dark-haired man.
The girl lying unconscious on the ground had been injected with HZII-type drugs by her, and she wouldn't wake up for at least two hours.
If left unattended, she would definitely be discovered by the Fate Organization members who would come later.
But Jonas and the others seemed to have no grudges, nor would they ignore the situation.
"Move her to a relatively safe place."
Sure enough, Jonas's words confirmed Requiel's speculation. Although she was reluctant to obey Jonas's command, she still clenched her fists and did as she was told.
She raised her head, looked at Jonas, and with a last bit of stubbornness, said:
"Remember what you said."
What Requiel said naturally referred to the promise Jonas made not long ago.
"Of course."
Jonas smiled and said:
"This is our agreement, isn't it?"