Lolit's expression darkened as she processed the situation. Despite the outward appearance of a fair duel, she had personally selected the contestants and knew the extent of their abilities. Droga, her strongest alien fighter, had been inexplicably defeated, and the coincidence of Su Sheng's billion-dollar bet was too obvious to ignore. She smiled sweetly at Su Sheng, but the calculation behind her eyes was impossible to miss.
"Give me half an hour," she said, attempting to buy some time.
"Alright," Su Sheng replied casually, turning back to his seat.
"I wouldn't hold out too much hope," Lena Luthor whispered as he sat down. "Even if she has powerful backers, raising tens of billions of dollars in half an hour is unlikely. And besides, you made it too obvious. She'll figure out you used your psychic abilities."
Su Sheng chuckled lightly. "I'm afraid you're thinking too much."
Lena raised an eyebrow but decided not to leave. She had confidence that Lolit wouldn't dare to cross her, considering her own reputation. More importantly, she was curious about Su Sheng's motives. Every interaction with him only deepened her sense that there was more to him than his immense power. He had acted nonchalantly when he figured out her mother's involvement and handled the situation with a casual arrogance that made her uneasy.
The Luthor name carried weight and power, but it certainly didn't mean getting pushed around. Yet here Su Sheng was, making moves she couldn't quite predict.
The alien fight had concluded, and as the other guests left the venue, Lolit busied herself with handling the aftermath. Once everyone was gone, she made her way over to Su Sheng and Lena.
"Miss Luthor, could I speak with him alone?" Lolit asked with a polite smile, though there was tension behind it.
Lena hesitated, glancing at Su Sheng. When he waved her off, she got up and moved away, though not without casting one last curious glance over her shoulder.
Lolit's expression became more neutral as she sat in the spot Lena had vacated. She turned slightly, giving Su Sheng a sweet smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I can't raise ten billion dollars. Your original billion has already been credited back to your account. As for Droga's death, I can pretend it didn't happen. But I'd like to know, Mr. Su Sheng, what have I done to offend you?"
Su Sheng leaned back, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp. "Lillian Luthor told you?"
It wasn't surprising that Lolit had found out his identity within half an hour. Although she managed the alien fight arena, Lillian Luthor, the director of the Cadmus Project, was the one behind it. Cadmus had extensive knowledge of alien life, weapons, and technology, and their partnership allowed Lolit to test experimental alien weapons in the fights, while also profiting from the gambling operation. And of course, Cadmus needed funds—especially since Lena had taken over LuthorCorp, leaving Lillian to work in the shadows.
Lolit's smile didn't falter. "If I have offended you in any way, I apologize."
Su Sheng reached over and gently touched her shoulder, tracing the intricate snake tattoo coiling around her arm. "You didn't offend me. I wasn't here to cause trouble, either. I just happened to learn about you and found myself... intrigued."
"Intrigued?" Lolit raised an eyebrow, her smile thin. "I'm not sure what could possibly be interesting about me that would catch your attention. You're making me nervous."
Su Sheng grinned. "How about you come with me?"
Lolit blinked, caught off-guard by the proposition. She hesitated before answering, her voice soft but firm. "I don't think my skills would be of much help to you."
"So, that's a no?" Su Sheng didn't seem disappointed. "That's alright. There's plenty of time to change your mind."
He stood up, casting a glance around the now-empty arena. "I caught an alien recently. He's a prince of Daxam. I'll deliver him to you. Make sure to handle him carefully. If he wrecks your little operation, I'll be disappointed."
Lolit rose to her feet, maintaining her professional demeanor. "If there are more, feel free to send them my way. I assure you, the prices will be fair."
Su Sheng chuckled and nodded. As he waved at Lena to join him, he turned on his heel and walked away.
Outside, Lena Luthor looked at him curiously. "That's it?"
"I expected you to drag this out," she added. "And after a few words, you're just letting it go?"
"Letting it go?" Su Sheng laughed. "Do I seem like someone who lets things go easily?"
"Not exactly," Lena replied without hesitation.
"Exactly. That's the difference between good people and bad people. A good deed can be easily forgotten, but a bad one stays with you. I don't aim to be a good person," Su Sheng said with a mischievous smile, lightly tapping her leg. "I wanted to recruit her. She's connected to people I might find useful, and who knows, I might even get to meet her daughter someday."
Lena frowned, unsure if she was more uncomfortable with his casual touch or the veiled intent behind his words.
Later, Su Sheng returned to his apartment. After saying goodnight to Lena, he went upstairs, but upon exiting the elevator, he found Siobhan Smythe waiting outside his door.
"You're back," she greeted him with a bright smile.
Su Sheng opened the door and ushered her in. "Go take a shower."
Siobhan hesitated, unsure of the request, but nodded and disappeared into the bathroom.
Once alone, Su Sheng tapped his bracelet. "Indigo, send our captured prince to Lolit. And keep an eye on her for me. Also, check if our other guest aboard the Discipleship feels like coming out for some fun."
The other guest? Of course, it was none other than the electric girl he had captured before she could even make her proper debut.