Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Rosalind Bennett

"Pascal, where is the person who wanted to see me?"

That was Rosalind’s first question upon entering.

She had, of course, seen the chaotic scene in the main hall, but she simply waved her hand, directing the trading house staff who had returned with her to help with the cleanup.

She herself was looking at Pascal, waiting for an answer.

Pascal, naturally understanding the priorities, quickly bowed his head and explained the situation in the briefest possible terms.

"My lady, the gentleman is waiting for you in Lounge 1. The commotion was quelled thanks to his intervention. He also knocked out and subdued the ringleader, who is in there as well."

"Good."

The silver-haired, silver-eyed woman nodded and immediately strode toward the lounge.

From start to finish, her expression didn’t change in the slightest, perfectly maintaining the composure expected of a supervisor.

However, the hurried CRUNCH CRUNCH of her riding boots on the broken glass suggested her mood was perhaps not as calm as it appeared.

The Golden Maple Leaf Trading House wasn’t very large at present. The distance from the main hall to the lounge was only a dozen or so meters, but as Pascal followed Rosalind across that short distance and stood at the lounge door, he felt his heart thumping violently.

He knew where the feeling came from—he was about to take part in an event that might just change his Destiny.

But unexpectedly, at such a crucial moment, he felt better than ever.

’Perhaps this is the power of an idol...’

Pascal’s gaze seemed to pierce through the heavy oak door before him, seeing that figure who always remained so composed.

He straightened his clothes one last time and raised a hand to knock.

"Sir, Lady Rosadeline is here."

"Enter."

Jon’s voice, still calm and emotionless, came through the heavy oak door.

Pascal pushed the door open and stepped aside.

Rosalind Bennett didn’t hesitate for a moment, stepping into the lounge.

The scene inside the lounge made her pale silver eyes narrow slightly.

The coffee table was covered with all sorts of tools and parts, with a few intricate metal objects scattered among them. A burly man was sprawled on the floor like a sack of mud—likely the ringleader Pascal had mentioned.

But these were all minor details.

The one who truly dominated the room was the Warrior lounging in the sofa, fiddling with an engineering component in his hand.

He had a young face, with black hair and blue eyes. His mismatched gear exuded a casual, pragmatic air, making him look like any other Adventurer you might find on the street.

But when their eyes met, Rosalind felt as if she were looking at an unshakeable mountain.

You couldn’t ignore him, no matter what.

Because the mountain was there.

Meanwhile, Jon looked at the silver-haired, silver-eyed woman, whose "character model" was quite stunning, and a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes.

’Silver hair, silver eyes... but no pointed ears. Is she of Silver Elf descent, or is it a unique bloodline?’

’How could someone so distinctive remain unknown in the future? Did she die during the chaotic period of the Heta County Noble Union Chamber of Commerce?’

You see, in *Yino*, players had summarized an "ironclad rule" that held true everywhere.

It was: "An ugly NPC might not have a quest, but a good-looking one definitely has a story!"

To players, someone with Rosalind’s looks and bearing was a clear sign screaming, "Come hit on me, I have a quest!"

And outside the game, she would surely have left her mark, just like that future bombshell...

Ahem, I’m getting sidetracked.

In any case, Jon had no memory of the woman before him.

This could only mean one thing—by the time he had entered the game, this "Rosalind Bennett" no longer existed.

An NPC who no longer existed, no matter how beautiful, would eventually be forgotten by fickle players.

After all, there would always be prettier, more dazzling NPCs to capture their attention.

But back in the present, the fact that this extraordinarily elegant and beautiful woman was still standing before him proved that her "story" hadn’t reached its conclusion yet.

’Perhaps I can dig into it a little...’

The thought flashed through the outlander’s mind.

After they had briefly sized each other up, it was Rosalind who finally spoke first.

She walked directly to the sofa opposite Jon. Her voice was as clear and cold as ice.

"Sir, I am Rosalind Bennett, the supervisor of the Golden Maple Leaf Trading House."

"Please allow me to express my gratitude. Thank you for intervening to resolve the trouble our trading house faced and for buying us precious time."

After speaking, she gave a slight bow, showing her respect with the etiquette befitting a noble.

Jon remained leaning against the sofa, his posture unchanged. He didn’t rise or return the courtesy, possessing a sort of natural, condescending composure.

"I’m Jon. As you can see, just an Adventurer."

"What just happened was nothing. I was just helping out."

His tone was flat, betraying no emotion.

Rosalind didn’t shrink back from Jon’s coldness. Instead, she took a shallow breath and proactively got to the point.

"Mr. Jon, Pascal told me you have important business to discuss with me?"

"That’s right."

Jon met her scrutinizing gaze without flinching.

"Someone trusts you a great deal. They believe you’re worthy of their confidence, so they guided me here to seek your help."

The silver-haired lady’s slender, tall frame trembled slightly.

Jon took in her reaction, paused for a moment, and then continued.

"But, to be honest, Lady Bennett, at this particular moment, seeing your trading house’s internal and external troubles... I don’t know if you’re truly worthy of that trust."

As soon as he said this, the atmosphere in the lounge froze.

Pascal’s heart skipped a beat when he heard this, and he instinctively wanted to speak up in Rosalind’s defense.

But Rosalind’s pale silver eyes drifted toward him. A single silent glance made him swallow all his words. He respectfully stepped aside, not daring to even breathe too loudly.

She showed no anger or displeasure at Jon’s challenge.

The beautiful woman just stood there quietly, the "transparent" quality about her seeming even purer at this moment.

She stared at Jon and calmly gave an unexpected reply.

"At a sensitive time like this, no one can prove their own innocence."

She said softly, her tone devoid of any ripples.

"Myself included."

Jon’s eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly, but his face remained impassive.

"In that case, it seems I shouldn’t tell you the information I have, then?"

This was a direct test, and a merciless attack.

Rosalind’s expression didn’t change; she understood Jon’s intention.

At a precarious moment like this, any decision could be a matter of life and death for someone important. If she were in his shoes, she wouldn’t give her trust away so easily either.

She had to offer up a sufficient bargaining chip.

And so, the silver-haired woman took a deep breath and, with firm resolve, said something that stunned the other two people in the room.

"Mr. Jon, if I can obtain the information you’ve brought, I am willing to offer my Soul Contract as collateral."

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