Location: Myriad Realms, Lil Red Storm Realm, Freedom Megalopolis, Dalie’s Penthouse.
"Speaking of psychos. How about I pay you for your services at the Way Beyond instead of the Southern Royal family? Money is money, regardless of who pays you for a job well done, right?" Corey took the opening to bring up the thing bothering her the most.
"You? With what money? I freaking own your ass for the next century. Don’t even think about asking advance payment for the century after that," I said, trying my hardest not to sound snobbish or appear as if I was belittling Corey. I ran enough start-ups to know where Corey was going. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝕟𝕖𝕥
Besides, me giving Corey advance on her salary so she can pay my service fee instead of the Southern Royal family wasn’t the answer. Because the fee I wanted for solving the smuggling problem at Way Beyond was a share in the taxes they would impose and collect on the goods brought from the Way Beyond.
I couldn’t compromise on this because I planned to offer similar services to the other regions too. I couldn’t have my customers thinking that they were paying way too much for something that was basically free for others. Now that was bad for business, and next thing you know they will ask me to make the currency exchange in the VR-universe free for all. I knew this because history had proven that if you give them an inch, soon they will be asking for a foot.
"Don’t get your panties in a bunch, Wyatt. I am not here to ask you for an advance on my salary. Besides, I have no interest in being your slave for another century. Park has a few treasures stashed away for emergencies in the Dark Realm. I think that should be enough to pay your fees for the Way Beyond job," Corey explained how she planned to pay me. Unfortunately, I knew that whatever she offered would fall short.
"Oh, honey. It’s not a one-time payment job. I wouldn’t care if it were just that. I d more than you can imagine every day," I informed Corey to see her brimming smile collapse instantly. Shaking my head in dismay, I remarked, "You have no idea what the Way Beyond job is, do you? Didn’t Park tell you anything?"
"She has no idea that I know about her hidden funds to help revive her old forces and my plans for them. I thought she would come around after meeting our parents," Corey came clean about her little devious plan. It appears after she became one with her darkness, her control over her title demon core and Park, her ego flame, has risen to new heights. I guess it sucks for Park.
Honestly, I don’t blame Corey. She had a valid reason and was doing what she felt was right for both of them. This was nothing compared to Park conspiring against her with me. If Corey could forgive Park for that, then Park could forgive Corey for this. Besides, Corey still hasn’t done any real damage yet, and Park doesn’t get a say in this as Corey had inherited all her wealth. It was up to Corey what she wanted to do with it. My question was, how did Park hide this little fortune from Corey in the first place?
"Wyatt, say something. I feel lost. What do I do now?" Corey called out, seeing that I was lost in my thoughts and hadn’t reacted to her shocking revelation filled with betrayal.
"First, take a deep breath and calm down. These things can’t be rushed. They have a lot of bureaucratic hurdles. Honestly, with everything going on, the Way Beyond isn’t on anybody’s priority list. Especially not the Southern Royal family, who are preparing to launch the Silver Milk Powder, that they don’t have, in all five regions.
"But, don’t worry. I will talk with Field Marshall, Lorenzo, Collen, and see how I can nudge the Southern royal family to make the Way Beyond a priority.
"As for you, if you feel is not enough, you can find Luna and discuss it with her. Yes, she is a psycho, but she has been groomed to be Anna’s minister most of her life. Nobody knows the Southern Region’s laws better than her. She might be able to help you dodge all the army procedures and meet your parents and persuade them to come home.
"And lastly, don’t worry, I won’t talk about this with Park," I assured Corey, showing her that she doesn’t need to worry about me spilling what we talked about here. Besides, I didn’t believe Corey could keep her thoughts from Park for long. The latter might have already noticed that Corey was up to something.
"Thank you, but no need. I will come clean about my plans to her and honestly ask for her help to save myself from making a fool of myself again," Corey replied, knowing that lying and hiding won’t solve anything. But it’s just that... it’s her parents. After seeing what happened to her past selves, she was getting the feeling that the universe was against her having a regular family.
"Great, then I will see you later," I said, preparing to take my leave only to be stopped by Corey, who brought up my other promise to her, "What about the soul trait or physique you promised to help me acquire?"
"That will have to wait for later. Something urgent in the Card World needs my presence. I need to show a bunch of snobs their place. I am already late and still not completely prepared for my visit there," I informed Corey, without going into details about my appointment with Morningstar University.
"How about first thing after you return?" Corey nodded without doubting my words for a sloppy excuse. The old one wouldn’t have believed me and pestered me to tag along just to confirm it.
"Sure thing," I said with a nod.
"Great. Hurry back. If you take too long, I will come find you."