Chapter 45: Chapter 45: A Tempting Price

A Soul Contract!

Pascal, who was standing to the side, felt his heart leap into his throat. He almost couldn’t stay on his feet.

’Does Lady Rosadeline know what she’s saying!?’

A Soul Contract was the highest level of contract, second only to a Divine Oath, and it could only take effect if offered willingly.

But once signed, her soul would be forever controlled by the contract’s master, unable to defy any of their demands!

Even among rulers and their subordinates, few could claim to have such unconditional trust!

Upon hearing this condition, Jon’s eyebrows raised slightly, and a hint of surprise colored his gaze as he looked at Rosalind.

’This woman would actually go this far for Reya?’

’Perhaps her relationship with Reya is even closer than I imagined...’

Compared to the natives of the Yino Continent, who viewed the Soul Contract as something utterly devoid of dignity, players had another name for it: "Follower Contract."

That is to say, after completing certain personal quests for specific NPCs and meeting certain conditions, such as affection levels or reputation, players could recruit that NPC to become their "follower" and serve them.

They were more loyal and more personal than the average NPC hired for money.

After all, an NPC hired for money would only work for you, but your own follower could chat with you, hold your hand, and even hug you, satisfying your emotional needs.

But you could forget about crossing the line. That was completely locked out at the system level, leaving countless perverts of all genders frustrated and tearing their hair out.

But then again, that was a restriction made by the game company due to legal constraints.

Here on the real Yino Continent, no such rule existed!

If Jon really accepted Rosalind’s offer, he would gain a personal servant with a cold temperament and stunning looks. He could do whatever he wanted to her, and she would be unable to resist; she would have to do whatever he wanted her to do!

Complete and total control!

It had to be said, this woman knew how to use her beauty to her advantage, and she was ruthless—even toward herself.

A "Soul Contract with Rosalind Bennett" was an incredibly tempting bargaining chip.

If this were in the game, he probably would have eagerly agreed on the spot!

But surprise was just surprise, and temptation was just temptation. At the end of the day, Jon was experienced and strong-willed.

He had his own goals and his own considerations. So, after a brief Silence, the cold expression quickly returned to his face.

"Do you know the price of saying those words?"

"If we were speaking alone, this condition could be negotiated as a bargaining chip. But since you’ve brought it up in front of Pascal, you won’t be able to continue working at this association, regardless of whether I accept your contract or not."

"No organization would tolerate its own management offering their loyalty to an outsider, even if it was just an attempt that ultimately failed."

His ice-blue eyes stared intently into Rosalind’s pale silver ones, trying to find a trace of regret.

"Haven’t you considered your own escape route?"

Rosalind didn’t answer immediately. She gracefully lifted her right hand and tucked a strand of silver hair that had fallen beside her ear behind it, as if to display her features more clearly.

The movement was slow, and when performed by an ice queen like her, it carried a certain indescribable allure.

"Of course I’ve considered it. That’s why I’m offering this chip."

She looked directly into Jon’s eyes, her tone even and her words clear. It was as if she weren’t discussing a matter intimately tied to the rest of her life, but rather negotiating an important business deal and stating her final price.

"This is everything I can give to achieve my goal."

Then, she turned to the attendant beside her, who was sweating profusely after hearing Jon’s analysis.

"Pascal, leave us. And don’t let anyone else in."

The young attendant’s mind was a complete mess. He followed his supervisor’s instructions and left the room almost on instinct.

It was only after he habitually closed the door behind him that he realized—Lady Bennett had just personally cut off her own final retreat!

If he had stayed, there would still be room for explanation with a third-party witness to the transaction. But now that he had left, leaving a man and a woman alone in the room, there was no way she could ever explain herself!

Just as Mr. Jon had said, regardless of whether they signed the Soul Contract or not, she could no longer remain at the Noble United Commerce Association!

It was a matter of principle!

"Lady Bennett..."

Pascal stood in a daze at the other end of the hallway. He didn’t know how long it took for him to sort through his chaotic thoughts. He reached out and unconsciously fiddled with the wrinkles on his shirt sleeve.

Combining everything that had happened since yesterday with Jon’s intentional and unintentional hints, he had already formed his own judgment about the current situation and why Rosalind would make such a sacrifice.

’As I thought, it’s because of the Young Lady...’

’But... does she really have to go this far? Mr. Jon doesn’t seem like such an unreasonable person...’

The young attendant stared at the heavy walnut door, lost in thought.

The two people inside were both individuals he revered.

Lady Bennett’s wisdom and skill were widely praised throughout the Noble United Commerce Association. Her crisp, efficient style and a heroic bearing that rivaled any man’s had turned nearly all her female colleagues into her staunchest supporters.

If even the women felt this way, how could any man resist her charm?

Countless sons of nobles had pursued her, only to be defeated by those cold, silver eyes.

And Mr. Jon... Although they hadn’t known each other long, judging by his actions since arriving at the association, he was undoubtedly on the United Commerce Association’s side. He might even possess crucial intelligence related to the Young Lady.

Pascal, the only person to have witnessed all of Jon’s methods, admired him from the bottom of his heart.

Achieving maximum results for minimal cost, with far-reaching plans and clear objectives...

He would probably spend a lifetime learning and emulating that calm and decisive ability to take control of a situation without anyone noticing.

How he wished these two could get along.

But now, that seemed impossible...

’I wonder where this incident will lead... And what will my future look like...?’

The smarter one is, the more one thinks. The more one thinks, the more one suffers.

And so, the young attendant was plunged into a long and agonizing wait.

So much so that when the lounge door opened and Jon and Rosalind walked out side by side, he failed to show his usual professionalism and attentiveness. He froze for a moment before snapping out of it and rushing to meet them.

"Mr. Jon, Lady Bennett, what are your instructions?"

The two of them, standing shoulder to shoulder, didn’t give any immediate orders, plunging the atmosphere into a brief Silence.

Pascal instantly held his breath in suspense.

Finally, Jon glanced at Rosalind. Seeing that she had no intention of speaking, he turned back to the attendant.

"Pascal, find someone to watch the guy in the lounge and tell the guards to assemble."

"Then, bring me a set of Trade Hall Guard equipment."

Pascal bowed his head in acknowledgment and hurried away.

But as he walked down the corridor toward the warehouse, he couldn’t help but wonder about one thing.

’Did Mr. Jon... accept Lady Bennett’s Soul Contract...?’

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