"I'll explain the rules. This is all voluntary."
"I'll give you the money you're owed, but don't come looking for me afterward."
"And I don't want to hear about you using my name or telling people we were ever involved."
"Understand?"
Harvey watched as the woman teared up in relief, nodding quickly before speaking.
"I understand, I understand. Thank you for giving me this opportunity."
Seeing her reaction, Harvey wasted no time and took her back to his estate.
The night was spent in passion, and they didn't stop until morning.
It wasn't until around 3 PM that the woman finally woke up, feeling sore. But when she saw the stacks of cash on the table, totaling $500,000, the pain seemed to lessen.
She got out of bed and approached the money. Next to it was a note telling her to take the money and leave, never to return.
Even though she didn't entirely meet Harvey Amberlock's usual standards, he still honored his promise and paid her generously.
After reading the note, the woman quietly dressed, covering the marks of their night together.
Looking at the pile of money, she took out $100,000 as agreed, then, despite the soreness, wrote a thank-you note, picked up her portion, and left the estate with a slight limp.
Since Mr. Harvey Amberlock had kept his word, she wasn't about to break hers. They had agreed that $100,000 would be enough, and she stuck to it.
From his room, Harvey watched through the window as she left.
He glanced at the note, thanking him for his help and calling him a good man. She had given him a proverbial "Nice Guy" card.
The $500,000 had been a test of character.
If she had only taken the $100,000, it meant she was in it for life-saving money.
Had she taken all of it, Harvey would've kept her around for a month, even if just as a standby.
But now, satisfied that she had only been after emergency funds, Harvey let it go.
With a casual wave, he summoned Void energy and evaporated the "Nice Guy" card.
Then he made a call to a cleaning service to tidy up the place, while he logged into his game.
If he hadn't found anyone yesterday, he would've gone cruising for fun today.
But since last night's encounter had satisfied him, he decided to relax for a bit and save it for another time when the mood struck.
Honestly, chasing women was something Harvey only did when he got bored of staying home.
Time passed quickly, and it had now been over four months.
During these months, Harvey occasionally ventured out, though he had noticed more and more women seemed to be seeking him out for help.
He found some of these women were genuinely desperate for life-saving money, and if they were good-looking enough, he would have a good time and help them out.
Those he could tell were pretending, he simply ignored.
One day, while out hunting for food, Harvey passed by a park and spotted the woman from several months ago. He stopped his car.
This time, the brunette woman wasn't dressed in the sultry, provocative style she'd worn before. Instead, she looked fresh-faced and youthful.
Though her makeup was different, the essence of her life force was unmistakable, and Harvey recognized her immediately.
Had she approached him looking like this back then, he would've agreed to help without hesitation.
Now, the young brunette was pushing an older woman in a wheelchair, slowly making their way out of the park.
The brunette noticed Harvey, her eyes showing no hint of fear, and a small smile played on her lips.
Harvey gave her a nod before revving the engine and driving off.
An agreement is an agreement, after all, and that night was now just a memory for both of them.
"Sweetheart, do you know that handsome man?"
The older woman in the wheelchair smiled, glancing at Harvey as he drove away, her curiosity piqued.
"That's Mr. Harvey Amberlock. He's a famous, wealthy, handsome young bachelor in New York, known for keeping his word."
"He's quite popular in the women's circles here."
"Of course, I know who he is, but he doesn't know me," the young woman replied with a smile.
"No wonder he's so good-looking and drives such a nice car."
"Rich and handsome, sure, but whether he's a gentleman, that's another matter."
"Don't be fooled by the rumors people spread."
"A man like that, even if you knew him, would be far beyond your reach."
"You're still young. Focus on your work for now, and in a few years, then think about settling down."
Her mother spoke earnestly, concern in her voice.
"I know, Mom," the young woman replied sweetly.
Though Harvey had driven off, he wasn't too far away, and he heard the young woman's compliments.
No wonder he'd noticed an uptick in beautiful young women seeking his help recently. It was likely thanks to her.
She had spoken well of him, but without revealing any intimate details. She hadn't broken their agreement.
That suited Harvey just fine. His random act of kindness was now helping him attract more women who caught his eye.
Feeling in a good mood after figuring it out, Harvey suddenly got a craving for food. He turned his car around and headed to Chinatown for a bite to eat.
Life on Earth was undeniably enjoyable. Ever since S.H.I.E.L.D. had discovered his identity, they hadn't dared to approach him.
This allowed Harvey to live more freely, with no need to worry about money or constantly monitor his behavior. He could simply indulge in whatever amusements he fancied.
As for the mercenary world, the Reaper had been absent for almost two years now.
Rumors had started to circulate. Some said the Reaper had met his end, but most believed he had simply made enough money and retired.
After all, in just a few short years, the Reaper had earned over a billion dollars.
As long as he didn't spend recklessly, that fortune would last a lifetime.
Handled wisely, it could even lead to true financial freedom.
For the mercenary world, the Reaper's retirement was a relief. Without him, there were plenty more jobs to go around.
And if anyone in the shadows was the most pleased, it would be Zero, the money launderer.
He charged hefty fees to other mercenaries because he could afford to hire protection for himself.
When he first worked with the Reaper, he didn't know any better and charged his usual high fees.
But once he realized just how terrifying the Reaper was, he no longer dared to overcharge. He often ended up paying out of pocket.
The Reaper's retirement was a blessing for him.
Zero was one of the few who knew that the man behind the Reaper was now spending his days wandering around New York, looking for entertainment.
But knowing was one thing. Even if given a hundred chances, Zero would never dare expose the Reaper's identity.
However, should he ever find himself in deep trouble, the good relationship he had built might just allow him to track down Harvey, even though the Reaper's dark web accounts were long inactive, and no one else knew where to find him.
With this trump card, Zero felt confident he could navigate any danger that might come his way in the next sixty years before he eventually passed away.