In objective reality, Jonas indeed has no intention of subjecting Miss Tianyu to any physical harm. However, regarding the spiritual aspect, it is uncertain. As Jonas mentioned to Rikier, this is a trial... and everything is for the betterment of Miss Tianyu. What could be more benevolent than this motive?
Watching Ukas lying unconscious in the room, Rikier couldn't help but purse her lips. She was well aware of how Jonas manipulated others. But in the end, the outcome couldn't escape the betrayal after using someone up and then discarding them... For some reason, she saw a trace of herself in the other person. Shaking her head, the girl dismissed such thoughts from her mind.
The room door closed slowly, and Rikier lifted her head, the slightly smiling voice of Jonas, who seemed to have been waiting at the door for a long time, timely echoed: "Is everyone settled?"
"Yes... Where do we go next?" Rikier expelled all those distractions from her mind and took a deep breath before speaking.
"Back to the venue." Saying so, Jonas couldn't help but smile, but his following words sent a chill down Rikier's spine: "It's time to teach Miss Tianyu a lesson..." - All this is not merely a game on the chessboard. "If one does not presume the worst intentions of their opponent, they will inevitably lead to a failure in the end." After all, success or failure shows no mercy.
---
Within the venue, the leaders of various influential consortia, invited as so-called "successful individuals" to attend the chamber of commerce, were still somewhat shaken after the recent events. They belatedly attempted to make calls for help, only to find the signals here completely severed. The signal jamming system originally meant to enhance security had turned this place into a coffin where hope dwindled.
What's crucial is that the security personnel assigned to protect them were now sprawled on the ground in disarray. Many began to mutter curses towards Jonas Veyting, blaming him for rendering them vulnerable to this state of fear and uncertainty. "That Jonas Veyting is nothing but a rustic from the countryside, lacking any semblance of aristocratic refinement."
"Exactly, always displaying an attitude of superiority, the Veyting Consortium is merely nouveau riche." "The same goes for the Morris Consortium. Not only did they fail to leave any protective measures, but they couldn't even summon help after such a long time."
Resentful voices filled the venue, predominantly female, while some men resorted to more vulgar language to curse the individuals responsible for this series of events. "They're all fools, useless. Why haven't the peacekeeping forces arrived yet?"
"Oh God, I swear I'll never participate in any activities led by the Morris Consortium again." "So what's the situation now? Are we being held hostage on this cruise ship?"
Among these people, there were also those truly belonging to the upper echelons of the twenty-fifth district. After all, this was a chamber of commerce, and though the attendees' statuses varied, there were always a few who controlled the true resources of the twenty-fifth district.
It was precisely these so-called "core members" of the chamber of commerce, those who controlled the genuine resources of the twenty-fifth district, who were much smarter than the others blindly hurling insults. At the moment the incident occurred, the representative of the Eldric Consortium, Tobias Schu, sensed something amiss.
The Morris Consortium didn't trigger any alarms, which could be explained away by not wanting to incite panic. However, sending only less than six security personnel to protect the venue was clearly illogical.
While others complained about Jonas Veyting incapacitating the security personnel, claiming they lost their last line of defense, in reality, what protection could these so-called security personnel offer if they could be taken down by Jonas Veyting and his entourage without any equipment?
It was more appropriate to call it surveillance than protection. With this in mind, Tobias Schu couldn't help but entertain a bold idea, a speculation that sent shivers down his spine.
If the Morris Consortium had known in advance about the impending attack by the Destiny Organization, and all this was a staged performance, how could they break free from this situation?
It seemed their only hope lay in Mr. Larkin of the Morris Consortium showing mercy after achieving his objectives. Tobias Schu seemed to understand Jonas's actions... From the beginning, the latter had seen ahead of everyone else.
And now, the only ally their group could rely on seemed to be this Mr. Jonas. Taking a deep breath, Tobias Schu listened to the surrounding people's insults and complaints about Jonas, feeling a hint of mockery in his heart.
He stood up and walked towards the exit, his departure unnoticed amidst the endless cursing and complaining. It was only after Tobias Schu left that a dark-haired man slowly entered from outside the venue.
The people's words had not yet ceased, their insults blending with Jonas's name amidst the cacophony. Until the dark-haired man completely entered the venue, the voices gradually quieted down, until the venue fell silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Then came the first brave soul willing to break the silence. "I demand an explanation from the Veyting Consortium. Why did you incapacitate the Morris Consortium's security personnel? In this situation, who should be responsible for our safety!?"
The voice reverberated in the venue, and more voices began to blame Jonas upon noticing his arrival. Subsequently, some hesitant individuals also joined the condemnation.
"You incapacitated the Morris Consortium's security personnel, so it's your responsibility to ensure our safety!" "I have reasonable suspicion that you are cooperating with the Destiny Organization. Unless you prove otherwise with actions."
"We reserve the right to hold you accountable!" Malicious intent surged toward Jonas, the crowd's condemnation rushing into his ears like a tide. Everyone was either angry, resentful, arrogant, or bearing ugly faces before him, which gave him a headache.
As if unable to tolerate the arrogance and ignorance of these people, Jonas furrowed his brows and spoke softly: "Rikier." The girl beside him seemed to anticipate what he was going to say and responded softly: "Here."
"Eliminate them all." Jonas's voice was calm.