Mikael left his father's study deep in thought. What his father told him, worried him, and he could tell that the winds of Slyvor City were going to turn very turbulent.
Anaiah and Ginny noticed his lost look as they left the Manor late in the afternoon.
"What did you and Dad talk about?" His cousin asked.
"It's about the affairs of the Underworld. Since Dad has to leave with his trusted men, there will be a power vacuum and wars over the territories. The City will be in a state of unrest for, at least, the next five years."
Even though Ginny did not know the ins and outs of what he was saying, she could still tell that it was a very serious matter.
Anaiah, on the other hand, turned solemnly quiet.
Gabriel was the reason why the Underworld Forces of the Schweston Province dared not make trouble in Sylvor City. Before him, it was her father who kept peace. However, neither of them truly had the entire city under control.
Her Father and Uncle were just the Overlords of Sylvor City, and people dared not mess around in their presence.
Now, all the big and small faces that already existed, and the influence of the Mafia of the Schweston Province, was going to rise like a tsunami that would flood the entire city.
And it was not going to be a usual disaster.
It was a storm that had been brewing in silence for nearly three decades under the shadows of peace.
With the current state of the city, which was already in turmoil, it was a feast for the vultures and hyenas eyeing the corpses.
Most importantly, their Family would lose quite a significant power and leverage in the city. They would lose the eyes and ears that they had in every corner right now.
"What did Dad ask you to do?"
"He just told me that the Family here was now my responsibility."
She sighed when she heard his words.
"Grandpa and Grandma are going with him as well," He informed her.
Her mother and brother were undoubtedly going to go with him. This meant that only she, Mikael, and Maria would stay here.
"Are you moving back into the Manor?"
"Yes," He nodded, and she was happy about it.
An hour later, they arrived at the Villa, and Ginny became nervous when she learned that it was where his wives lived.
Anaiah assured her that she would introduce her as her friend, and only then she relented and agreed to stay here for a couple of days before they would all move to the Manor.
As soon as they entered the house, they were greeted by a lively scene.
The Albonn Family was sitting together, having a good chat, and they all smiled when they saw him and Anaiah return.
"You came back early." Mikael walked over to Raeya and shared a chaste kiss with her, and then nudged his nose with Klara, which made the latter giggle.
"Yes, and you are late." The older twin smiled at him and curiously looked at Ginny.
"Well, I was busy. And everyone, I have good news to share with you all."
Alastair, Edwin, Grisha and everyone curiously looked at him.
"My Father has been appointed as the City Lord of the Port City of Skylar. The announcement will be made on September 1st."
"Congratulations!" Grisha was the first one to react and immediately came over to give him a hug.
Raeya and Klara congratulated him next, and then Alastair came forward. Finally, Edwin and his family congratulated him.
Raeya's Uncle would have surely called for a celebration if the times were different, but right now, their father was still in the custody of NSF.
"I know that the time is not right for celebrations, but I would love to have you join me at dinner tonight. How about a feast? Mother and Father will join us as well."
"Of course!" Edwin immediately nodded his head and Alastair and Grisha were happy as well.
They were not just happy because Gabriel Zarayne had been appointed as a City Lord, given the title of a Viscount, meaning that the Zaraynes now had two Viscounts, but also because it was going to be the first meal that the two families would have together.
The Albonns were already immensely relieved that Klara was saved from Aaron's clutches, and all they hoped now was that their two girls would have a harmonious married life.
Even though there was some friction between the two families, Alastair had nothing against the Zaraynes. It was Alexander Albonn and Elijah Zarayne who were at odds with each other and could not tolerate each other's presence.
"Mikael, you haven't introduced us to this young lady yet." Grisha curiously looked at the girl, who seemed very nervous right now.
Her womanly instincts told her that he had a very intimate relationship with this girl.
"This is my friend, Aunty. Her name is Ginny," said Anaiah.
"She's Ginny Harper, daughter of Heather Harper and Robert Sterling." Mikael, however, told them something that froze everyone. "She will be staying with us for a while. Her life is in danger. Robert Sterling requested Dad to shelter her until he sorts out the mess in his family."
"I am sorry for your loss, Child." Grisha sighed and walked over to hug the girl, who had learned yesterday that her missing brother had long been killed by his best friend.
No one raised the matter or looked down on her because she was a bastard.
She was innocent, and her fragility made them sigh in their hearts.
"Take her to your room. You can share or she can have the one next to yours." Mikael said to his cousin, who nodded to him and led Ginny away.
Raeya gave him and Ginny a very calculated look, but she kept quiet about her hunch.
Mikael went to his room and smiled at the prompt he had received a couple of hours ago.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on claiming the Supporting Character, Ginny Harper]
[You have received 100 Fate Value. Son of Luck, Aaron Stone, has lost 100 Fate Value]
[You have received 25,000 Villain Points]
[You have received a chance at the Random Roulette]
[You have received information about a newly found pharmaceutical company which will become a future Three Hundred Billion Draks Company. Growth period: 44 months]
Mikael's breath stagnated when he saw the last reward, and he even felt a little dizzy.
This was too generous!
"Start the Roulette!"
Soon the ticking sounds were heard in his mind, flashes of lights, and then came a quick prompt.
"Congratulations, Host. You have won a Billion Draks."
He sighed at the result and shook his head, but when he checked the information about the newly founded Pharmaceutical company, he frowned.
Without wasting any time, he picked up the phone and dialled a number.
It rang four times before it was picked, and the charmingly cold voice on the other end made him pause for a month.
"Lady Hera, my name is Mikael Zarayne, and I wish to talk to you about investing in your Pharmaceutical Company." He calmly spoke even though his heart was raging.
"How did you get this information? Hera asked in surprise after a pause.
"Apologies, My Lady, but I can not tell you about my information channels. Shall we discuss the deal?"
"What's your offer?" She curiously asked.
"1.3 Billion Draks for the 40% share in the company you are willing to give away. We will keep the company private, and you will remain in charge of it."
There was another pause on the other end, clearly stunned at his words.
"I hope this is not a joke, Mister Zarayne."
"Rest assured. I do not joke about these things." He smiled. "Do we have a deal?"
"I will draft the papers and they can be signed tomorrow at the latest." She decisively said.
"Alright. I will transfer the amount to your bank account now."
"What..."
He ended the call and immediately sent 1.3 Billion Draks to Hera's account. He could not help but smile when the payment went through without a hitch.
Even his Mother could not transfer such a huge sum in a matter of seconds. This was the perk of owning a Black Card of the Royal Bank of Dragonia.
Suddenly, his phone rang, and he picked it up with a smile.
"Have you received the message?" He calmly asked.
"Master Zarayne, what makes you believe that I will not cheat you out of this money?"
"Oh, that's simple, My Lady. You can not afford to cheat me out of my money." He very calmly said. "Have a good night."
Mikael ended the call and turned around to find Raeya standing at the door, stunned at what she had just heard and witnessed.
Her head felt dizzy at her husband's actions.
"1.3 Billion Draks?" She solemnly asked, and he smiled at her.
"Oh, don't worry, Love. We are still Billionaires." He lazily stretched his arms and then yawned.
"Mikael!" She marched over to him and grabbed his shirt, glaring at him. "How could you send someone such a big amount without any official agreement?!"
"Rae," He narrowed his eyes at her, reminding her that she was being disrespectful, and her grip on his shirt loosened. "I know what I am doing. I have my reasons."
She let go of his shirt and furrowed her brows.
"Who's this Hera?"
"Hera Valentius, granddaughter of Duke Valentius."
"Didn't Duke Valentius have no children and relatives?" She frowned.
It was over the news four years ago after the Duke's son died. It was said that since the Duke had no relatives, the house of Valentius would go extinct with his death.
They had even lost most of their wealth over the years.
"Well, it turns out that his youngest son had a child out of wedlock with a lady, and Hera has been legitimised by the Crown at the Duke's request."
"Oh."
"She already has too many enemies." He smiled. "Do you think someone who is being pushed into the corner would dare to betray a helping hand?"
"Yes."
"Well, Hera won't. She can't afford more enemies much less give her existing enemies an excuse to get rid of her."
Raeya finally understood what it meant.
Mikael was not the one who should be panicking right now.
It was Hera who must be sweating after receiving such a huge sum.
She did not even know who was lending her this helping hand, and she was undoubtedly going to stay restless until the contracts were signed and the deal was official.
"You are devious."
"Of course. After all, I am your husband."
She rolled her eyes at him and then looked him right in his eyes.
"What's your relationship with Ginny?"