Inside a place where the only light came from the warm glass fixtures hanging overhead. The air held a subtle trace of expensive liquor, blending with the low murmur of conversation and the soft music drifting through the space. Polished marble counters reflected the glow, adding a quiet elegance to the atmosphere.
In this luxurious bar, a semi-circular booth surrounded a dark wooden table. And, seated there were two men and one woman.
The woman had short brown hair, along with cute features. Wearing a pencil skirt, stockings, and a blazers, she appeared almost too formal for the setting.
Her appearance gave the impression of someone reliable, polite, but still… someone average.
Despite the impression she gave, of someone who wouldn't normally come off as too forward… she was actually sitting quite closely to one of the two men.
Her eyes radiated a silent affection, even if that glow hid itself in the background, only surfacing when she was distracted mid-conversation.
In the end, neither of the two men commented on it. And it appeared as if her behavior was just the normal kind… nothing unusual to them.
Across from her sat a man in his thirties. He had kind but sharp features and wore a neat, well-fitted suit. There was nothing flashy about him, but if one were in trouble, if someone had concerns weighing on them, and then saw him?
Then, the first thought that might come to mind was that this man could help.
Jonathan Hale gave that kind of strong impression… but maybe that was only natural, given the nature of his profession as a lawyer?
And then, there was the last one. Sitting beside Mina Clarke, the young woman in her twenties, was Zero, also known by his other name now: Elias Ward.
He was the one who talked the least among the three. His straight back and sharp features gave off a subtle tension, as if something was bothering him. As if he wasn't quite satisfied. But neither Mina nor Jonathan seemed to mind it. They acted as if they were already too used to him being .
While occasionally sipping on their drinks, the three of them were talking.
It was then that Mina suddenly sighed and said, "I think taking over the Rhyven Holdings company is going to be difficult. Even with my help, as someone working there... So, it's best that we stop trying to get it."
"We need to stop here, before we reach a point where we wouldn't get away scot-free, even if we pulled our hands back. And we should start considering our other options… Halden Group and Veltrix Technologies, more seriously," Mina's voice was firm as she finished.
"…Well, even taking into account the current situation in court, and how many things they're turning a blind eye to, I still think we don't need to risk it… if there are safer options," Jonathan added.
And then, both of them turned to Zero, who showed no reaction on his face.
He was the one who had provided the money, and the head of their team. The one who had the most to lose, so, they waited for his decision.
Zero naturally already knew all of that since this had been a topic they'd discussed over the last few days. So, he didn't even show a surprised expression, instead he appeared to be giving their suggestion serious thought.
It was time for a decision, after all.
He began lightly tapping the table with one finger, as if deep in thought. With his other hand, he picked up the glass of whisky on the table and took a slow sip.
He looked too absorbed in the moment… in his role.
Too convincing for someone who wasn't human.
Was it really just acting, as an android?
Or… was it something else entirely?
In the end, not long after, he gave his answer.
"Taking our hands away from Rhyven Holdings is fine, actually."
"But instead of choosing one of the other two options, I think working on taking over both of them simultaneously is better than trying just one."
"It's been more than a month now, since we began seriously attacking Rhyven Holdings from many fronts."
"And if we put aside the money issue… what I believe we lost the most; was time."
Zero made the decision. And Jonathan, hearing it, seemed relieved. A small smile found its way to his face.
On the other hand, for Mina, it was different. That hoarse voice of his, as he delivered the verdict to abandon their original plan so decisively, struck something deep within her. It was too much. Too hot. She felt her cheeks heat up before she could stop herself, and a faint blush crept in despite her efforts.
Quietly, she brought her glass to her lips again, hoping the others would chalk up her reaction to the liquor… and not to the effect Zero had on her in that moment.
The direction of the conversation shifted after Zero made his decision. But even so, they didn't move on to seriously plan their next step. Instead, they slipped into idle conversation, chatting about ordinary things.
They were still waiting for the last member of their group, after all.
Time passed. And just as they began to wonder what was taking so long… finally, Miles Dalton graced them with his appearance.
He was tall, with wide shoulders, dressed in slim-fit trousers and a shirt that hung open halfway down his chest. His sharp eyes scanned the room as he approached, and the way he carried himself, so loose and unapologetic, left a clear impression. He looked like a man with no scruples. A man who would do anything, and enjoy it.
With a cocky grin stretched across his face, he walked toward them, two files in hand, deliberately waving them in front of their eyes… showing off.
And then after a dry greeting. He dropped into the seat beside Jonathan, snatched the remaining half of his drink without asking, drained it in one go, then lit a cigarette, all while the others stared at him in silence.
Finally, in a lazy, drawling tone, he said, "I was late… but I still got what we need."