Chapter 136: Tacit Understanding
Simeon grunted and staggered back two steps. "You're asking for it!"
Lucas gave a silent, cold smile.
Simeon covered his face with one hand and raised the other, clenching it into a fist.
Lucas crooked his finger. "Come on then."
"Damn it!" Simeon glanced at Alfred and the others. He had no advantage in numbers, and Lucas's fierce expression made him nervous. His fist slowly lowered.
Seeing the fight wasn't going to happen, I said coldly, "Don't fight or cause trouble in my hotel!"
Lucas stepped back beside me, looking obedient.
Simeon snorted and lowered the hand covering his face. Blood was trickling from his nose. I could tell at a glance it wasn't serious—he'd be fine in a couple of days.
What a shame.
I looked down, thinking why didn't he hit him harder? Just one punch—this annoying guy got off easy.
Lucas noticed me looking at his hand. He held it up to show me his slightly reddened knuckles. "Worried about me?"
I swatted his hand away and said expressionlessly, "You're overthinking it."
"If you don't worry about me, who will?" Lucas suddenly lowered his voice. "I'll find another chance to beat him up."
I was a bit surprised. How did Lucas know what I was thinking?
Without realizing it, we'd become more in sync.
Though I thought this, I didn't give Lucas a pleasant look. "You should leave now."
David would probably discover the nursing home's secret soon. He came here to cause trouble for Lucas, who shouldn't waste any more time here.
Lucas understood what I meant. He nodded and said, "I'll come back tonight. Wait for me."
I instinctively wanted to argue, but Lucas stepped forward and hugged me, then let go before I could push him away, leaving like a gust of wind.
Jonas walked over to me and said quietly, "Lucas is too impulsive. He likes using violence, and his temper's all over the place. He's fine as a friend, but too exhausting as a lover. Don't you think?"
I glanced at him sideways. "You're still here?"
Jonas looked hurt. "Do I really have no presence?"
I couldn't help laughing. "Just kidding. Come to my office. I want to talk business with you."
"Wait!" Simeon called out to us—specifically to me. "Get me a place to stay."
I waved over a lobby manager and had her take Simeon to book a room. My tone was flat, treating Simeon like any regular guest. The lobby manager knowingly blinked, indicating she wouldn't give Simeon any discount.
Simeon looked somewhat dissatisfied. "Why aren't you personally attending to me? Don't you know what the Caudill family means in Dawnharbor?"
"But this is Starstream City," I said.
Simeon raised an eyebrow.
Jonas said sarcastically, "Dawnharbor rules don't work here, Mr. Caudill."
He'd wanted to give me a surprise, it failed, so he had zero goodwill toward Simeon.
"Fine." Simeon pressed his lips together, then said, "Show me your special desensitization shot. What are the main ingredients? Did you develop it?"
His tone was really annoying.
I said coldly, "One desensitization shot costs eighty thousand dollars. If you want to buy it, go find Roger."
With that, I turned around briskly.
"Sorry, Bella. I didn't expect Simeon to be like that," Jonas softened his tone. "I didn't mean to upset you."
"I know, Jonas. I won't take it out on you." I walked into my office and invited Jonas to sit. "Starstream City's been pretty lively lately. Want to hold another trade show?"
Jonas thought it over briefly and saw the profit potential. "Let's do it!"
I smiled, then told him about the changes in the Chaotic Zone while he was away. "The government wants to develop it, so they'll definitely need to attract investment. They want to govern and develop simultaneously, and 'capitalists with military backing' like us are perfect for that. If you're interested, you need to act fast."
Though I could use force to control the entire Chaotic Zone, that would make governance and development entirely my responsibility. I did the math—the initial investment would be astronomical. So I handed official jurisdiction to the government. After all, once Brian becomes mayor, won't the Chaotic Zone be ours to run anyway?
I wanted to save money and figured taking about a fifth of the Chaotic Zone's land for now would be enough.
I shared this news with people I was on good terms with as a favor. The more allies I had in the same territory, the better for me.
Jonas was definitely interested. We talked for over an hour—we really clicked when it came to making money.
But Jonas still seemed a bit down before leaving. I knew why, but I didn't spell it out.
I'd already turned Jonas down several times. I couldn't say harsh things too often.
I didn't want to lose him as a friend either. I could only hope he'd figure it out himself.
At seven in the evening, I finished organizing the files on my desk and couldn't help glancing at the clock on the wall.
I didn't want to admit I was waiting for Lucas.
I didn't know when he'd come. I hadn't eaten dinner yet. What if he came really late?
I looked at my phone—no message from Lucas.
"Doesn't even say what time he's coming, tells me to wait for him. Am I really supposed to wait?" I muttered. Just then, there was a knock at the door.
My mood suddenly improved quite a bit, though I opened another file and pretended to be busy before calling out, "Come in."
The door opened and a tall figure walked in.
"Why is it you?" I looked at Simeon, feeling an inexplicable disappointment.
Simeon was wearing a white lab coat, holding a special desensitization shot and a component analysis report.
"I want to buy the formula for the special desensitization shot. Name your price," he said.
"Not for sale," I refused.
"Why not?" Simeon continued walking toward me. "Do you understand the value of the special desensitization shot? It could save many people!"
"Is there a necessary connection between saving people and selling you the formula?" I asked back.
"Do you really dislike me?" Simeon asked. "Because of this morning? I admit I performed poorly and almost delayed someone's life. I'll reflect seriously and correct my mistakes. You should also change your bias against me."
"Don't lecture me." I frowned in displeasure. "I don't want to sell the formula. No reason needed. You can leave now."
"What if I don't?" Simeon walked up to the desk, looking down at me.
"You know about Phoenix Blood Balm, right? The fast-acting hemostatic drug I invented. Besides that, I've developed many other medicines." I looked up at him. "With just one word from me, the Caudill family will never be able to buy any medicine from me again."
Simeon narrowed his eyes slightly. "Are you threatening me?"
"She's just stating facts."
Lucas's voice came from the doorway.
He strode over, the hem of his coat spotted with blood, his cold aura intimidating. Yet he was carrying an insulated food container that didn't match his vibe at all.
His strong hand pressed firmly against Simeon's shoulder. Lucas pushed Simeon aside and stood solidly in front of the desk, his broad back like a shield protecting me.
My heart beat a little faster.
Lucas casually placed the food container on the desk, then looked back at me, the coldness in his eyes melting away bit by bit.
"I'm late."