Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Ella's POV

I sat at the dining table, looking at the creamy lobster bisque, pan-seared filet mignon, Caesar salad, and slow-roasted lamb chops laid out before me. The aroma awakened a hunger I didn't know I had.

Saliva kept flowing uncontrollably in my mouth.

I'd originally planned to wait for James to arrive before eating, but I was really starving.

Unable to hold back any longer, I picked up a spoon, scooped up some creamy lobster bisque, and put it in my mouth.

The taste was a bit unusual, but surprisingly, it suited my palate quite well.

I looked at Kai sitting across from me and asked, "Mr. Collins, aren't you eating?"

"Ms. Thorne, just call me 'Kai,'" Kai replied. "I'm waiting for Mr. Smith."

"Alright then." I figured I'd better speed up my eating; otherwise, when James arrived, I'd probably have to be all careful again and wouldn't be able to really enjoy the food.

So I lowered my head and started stuffing food into my mouth in big bites.

"Mr. Smith," Kai suddenly called out.

Hearing his voice, I quickly grabbed a napkin and wiped my mouth.

James sat down in the seat beside me, his gaze falling on the bowl of creamy lobster bisque in front of me that was almost empty.

"You like Valorian cuisine this much?" he asked casually.

I nodded. "It's pretty good."

James smiled and asked again, "How does it compare to your Astoria food?"

I answered without thinking, "Well, obviously our Astoria food tastes better. Astoria's cuisine is unique and special—it's number one in my heart."

"Are you full?" James asked.

I nodded quickly.

"Ella," James said, looking at the nearly finished dishes on the table, half-jokingly, "spending my money on food, only thinking about yourself, not even knowing to save some for me?"

I froze for a moment and said, "You can just order more yourself later."

At this point, Kai looked at James, about to call the waiter over to add more dishes.

"Kai," James stopped him, "no need."

Then he changed the subject. "Go make arrangements. I'm switching rooms tonight."

I was confused. What was James's ulterior motive?

Why did he want to switch rooms?

Whatever, I couldn't control what he did anyway.

Dreamspire Park in Esmere City.

I stood at the entrance, looking at this dreamlike amusement park before me, and couldn't help but gasp in amazement.

James looked at my surprised expression and said, "Ella, I need to go discuss some business in a bit. If you want to play anything, you can go enjoy yourself, but don't get yourself lost."

I responded blankly, "Okay."

James looked at me and smiled. "I said I'd bring you out to have fun. I keep my promises, right?"

Then he added, "Don't play any of those dangerous rides—no drop towers, giant swings, roller coasters, sky chairs... and no water rides either."

I frowned. With so many restrictions on what I couldn't play, what was there left to do?

"Did you hear me?" James asked again.

I could only nod helplessly.

James looked at Kai. "You stay with her."James's POV

Daniel and I sat on the third-floor observation deck of the amusement park, in seats near the railing. It was noisy everywhere around us, with quite a few staff members in cartoon character costumes weaving through the crowds, handing out small gifts and brochures to kids.

Daniel's eyes darted around, looking everywhere, his face full of confusion as he spoke up, "James, are you sure you want to discuss our confidential cooperation in a place like this?"

My expression remained calm as I asked him back, "Is there a problem with discussing it here?"

Daniel looked helpless. "Don't you think it's too noisy here?"

I gave a cold laugh. "And your underground casinos aren't noisy?"

Daniel was momentarily speechless. After a pause, he said, "They're both noisy, true." But judging by his expression, he probably still found it strange—after all, who would choose an amusement park to discuss private business deals?

I really was pressed for time and didn't want to waste words with him, so I cut straight to the point. "You asked me out here. How have you thought about the conditions I proposed?"

As soon as business was mentioned, Daniel instantly dropped his casual manner and got serious. "You didn't tell me yesterday—what exactly is the position?"

I looked at him and said slowly, "Mayor of Phoenix City. Interested?"

Daniel's eyes lit up immediately when he heard this. The position of Phoenix City mayor was extremely attractive. He quickly pressed, "You can really help me get the Phoenix City mayor position?"

I was noncommittal. "That depends on how much sincerity you can show."

Daniel thought for a moment and said, "James, you know I have some businesses that need oil and natural gas. Can you leave me one oil field?"

I was blunt. "You're only planning to give me four?" Actually, I was thinking that four oil fields might be enough to meet my current needs.

Daniel quickly added, "I can give you my private club in exchange for that one oil field. What do you think?"

I didn't respond immediately, still weighing the pros and cons.

Seeing my silence, Daniel probably got anxious and added, "Don't you like petite girls? I have connections to find you a batch of young, beautiful women who'll definitely satisfy you."

As soon as those words left his mouth, I felt a wave of disgust and immediately said, "Five oil fields. Not one less." I'd almost been considering accepting his private club in exchange for one oil field, but he just had to bring that up.

Daniel got a bit anxious, his face full of reluctance. "Really, no room for negotiation?"

My gaze was firm as I stared straight at him, asking without room for doubt, "What do you think?"

Daniel thought for a moment, gritted his teeth, and said with determination, "Fine, five oil fields it is. They're yours."

The corners of my mouth curved up slightly as I said, "Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Rodriguez."

Daniel quickly responded, "Pleasure doing business." Then he couldn't wait to ask, "So when will you..."

I cut him off. "What's the rush? The next mayoral election is still a long way off. Before that," I paused, my gaze becoming serious, and added, "You need to completely cut off those connections you have for finding girls."

Daniel froze, his face full of disbelief. "What?"

I looked toward the cartoon characters in the distance who were interacting with kids.

The character was selecting a few children to play a "motion imitation" game, using body movements to act out what was on cards for other kids to guess. The kids who participated in the game would get an amusement park souvenir.

I glanced at the souvenirs displayed nearby—there were plush toys, badges, and special amusement park hair ties.

"Daniel," I called out to him.

Daniel snapped back to attention and asked somewhat impatiently, "What?"

I gestured with my chin toward the cartoon character and said, "Do me a favor."

Whether he wanted to help or not, he had to—after all, we'd just reached an agreement, and there were still things he needed to rely on me for.

When Daniel was up on stage like a ridiculous clown, twisting his waist and dancing around performing for a bunch of kids, I actually felt somewhat pleased.

He'd probably never done anything this embarrassing in his entire life.

But he knew in his heart that even if he didn't agree, I had countless ways to make him agree, and he didn't want to experience those methods.

The staff member in charge of giving out activity prizes looked at Daniel and pointed to the table beside them. "Sir, thank you for your performance just now. These are the activity gifts—you can choose one."

Daniel glanced at the table with the gifts and frowned slightly, his face full of disdain.

He stretched out his index finger and randomly pointed at a gift, just about to say "I'll take this—" but before he could finish, I reached out and grabbed the box of hair ties in the very center.

I said "I'll take this one," and then turned and left.