Chapter 98: The Divine Family, Kate Divine
Rasputin Bar.
Thumping beats, a loud crowd, seductive women, and wild young men filled the bar. Even those in the corners could feel the clinking glasses and laughter.
Rasputin Bar was the place for uninhibited nights.
Suddenly, the music stopped.
The revelers in the dance floor looked up in confusion at the sizzling DJ.
Behind her, a large cyberpunk-style message appeared on the screen:
"Congratulations to Mr. Giovani on his 40th birthday. Wishing you peace and joy!"
This "Mr. Giovani," of course, referred to Giovani.
As many guests exchanged puzzled looks, wondering who Giovani was, a spotlight illuminated the luxurious VIP booth on the second floor.
Giovani, with a face flushed from drinking, was surrounded by scantily-clad college girls.
He stood up, grinning:
"Thank you, thank you! Let the music play, keep dancing!"
The DJ nodded in understanding, and in a sultry voice called out to the crowd on the dance floor:
"Drinks are on Mr. Giovani tonight! Let's hear some cheers!"
The dance floor exploded into madness.
With the DJ's seductive moves leading the crowd, the energy reached an all-time high.
Giovani, however, scowled and beckoned to his aide, Mad Wolf:
"Tell Sister Hong to fire this DJ and dock her pay to cover tonight's drinks."
Mad Wolf barely held back a laugh.
Most bar owners celebrate their birthday with a free-drinks promotion since drinks are cheap these days.
But no one was as frugal as Giovani! When it came to money, he spent and saved exactly as he pleased.
The college girls noticed Giovani's displeasure and immediately began to flatter him, showering him with affection.
Their sweet voices and perfume quickly softened Giovani's mood.
Just as he was sinking into the charms around him, a woman appeared on the second floor, heading toward Giovani's booth.
She was attractive, though she didn't look like a typical bar-goer.
Her hair was short and neat, giving her a slightly androgynous look, like a company executive.
She wore a white blouse tucked in at the waist and pink yoga pants.
Her serious demeanor paired with her stylish outfit piqued Giovani's interest.
Mad Wolf tried to stop her, but Giovani waved him off, signaling for her to come over.
The woman gave a faint smile and confidently took a seat across from Giovani, raising a glass in his direction:
"Happy birthday, Mr. Giovani."
Giovani, intrigued by her boldness, raised his eyes, his gaze like a wolf discovering fresh prey.
With one arm still around a college girl, he lifted his glass with the other:
"A toast from a beautiful lady? Now, that's my kind of drink."
He downed his glass, his eyes roving over her with a mischievous glint:
"Why sit so far away? Come closer, darling."
One of the college girls by his side glanced at Giovani, pouting as she prepared to make space.
The short-haired woman chuckled and shook her head:
"I'm comfortable right here. Besides, I came to talk business."
Giovani poured two more drinks, clearly intending to get her tipsy.
"Sure thing, we've got the whole night to talk," he chuckled.
The short-haired woman smiled silently.
Giovani slid one of the glasses over to her and asked:
"What's your name, beautiful?"
She extended her pale hand, accepting the glass with a small sip:
"Divine Family, Kate Divine."
Giovani grinned and downed his drink:
"Kate Divine, nice name."
This woman seemed neither intimidated by his reputation as Bluewater City's underground king nor did she fawn over him. It only made Giovani more interested.
He couldn't wait to have her.
Wait—Divine Family?
Giovani choked mid-sip, spitting his drink onto the floor and coughing violently.
His eyes widened as he looked at Kate Divine in disbelief:
"The Divine Family? North Sea's Divine Family?"
In today's world, many powerful families had ties to the security or political systems, or were simply organized crime families.
If a family had no members in any of these spheres, they couldn't hold real power.
But the Divine Family was unique.
The Divine Family had no officers in security, no civil servants, and no connections to the underworld.
Yet, it was the most influential family in North Sea City, with even the Awakeners Association refraining from keeping tabs on them.
Some speculated that the Divine Family was backed by a transcendent force.
Mad Wolf immediately grew alert. With just a glance from him, his men caught on, glancing around nervously, ensuring Giovani's safety.
No one wanted Giovani's 40th to be his last.
Giovani scrutinized Kate Divine.
She looked calm and composed, showing no sign of deception.
Kate slowly put down her glass and said,
"I'm not here to cause trouble. I'd like to discuss a business opportunity with you, Mr. Giovani."
Giovani's expression turned serious, though he managed a smile:
"So, Miss Divine, I apologize if I've been a poor host. Let's talk in my office."
Rasputin General Manager's Office
Giovani regained his composure.
Gone was the playboy persona; now, he exuded a certain authority befitting an underground king.
He sat down in his office chair, lighting a cigarette and offering one to Kate:
"Are you here on behalf of yourself or the Divine family?"
No pleasantries, just straight to the point.
Kate took the cigarette, lit it, and exhaled a stream of smoke:
"I'm a member of the Divine family, so naturally, I represent them."
Giovani cracked his neck:
"I've crossed paths with your family's head a while back. We're practically old friends.
Whatever you need, feel free to ask."
Kate leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs with a relaxed, almost irreverent demeanor.
Blowing out a ring of smoke, she said,
"The Divine family's business association plans to open a branch here in Bluewater City, and naturally, we're here to pay respects to you, the local powerhouse."
Giovani nodded.
"That's reasonable. The Divine family's influence is worth respecting.
If you need assistance, just let me know."
Kate laughed lightly and shook her head:
"Mr. Giovani, I think there's a bit of a misunderstanding.
The Divine family would like to partner with you. Would you consider honoring us by joining the association?"
Giovani's face instantly darkened.
"Partner?"
That sounded polite.
Joining the Divine family's business association essentially meant becoming their subordinate.
The Divine family might be powerful in North Sea, but this was Bluewater City!
This was Giovani's territory!
Did they think he was just another pawn?
Giovani was about to refuse when Kate interrupted him.
"Mr. Giovani, no need to decline so hastily. At least hear our terms."
Holding back his anger, Giovani replied,
"Go ahead."
Kate's demeanor turned serious as she straightened up and said:
"First, the association will provide you with eight C-rank Awakeners to command.
Second, the association will gift you a high-grade spirit artifact.
Third, you will become a senior member of the association, sharing mutual honor and loyalty with us. Your concerns will be ours as well."
Giovani's brow furrowed slightly.
These terms were enticing.
C-rank Awakeners were valuable assets, and he remembered a certain Hunter, known as "Sister," had hinted that the guild leader had a particular liking for high-ranking Awakeners' corpses.
Whether it was for experimentation or something else, the guild leader's interest was certain.
A high-grade spirit artifact could be a perfect offering to the guild leader, earning him considerable rewards.
Becoming a senior member would mean gaining a powerful ally.
From the first two terms alone, it was clear that the Divine family had deep ties to a transcendent force.
In the past, he might have been intimidated by this.
But now? He was no stranger to transcendents himself.
Giovani speculated that the Divine family's expansion into Bluewater City likely had something to do with transcendent matters as well
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