Catastrophe Card King

Chapter 714: Chapter 234: You Teleport Me Here, Can I Refuse?

“Uncle Sam, the remuneration for the guards who died in battle should be issued at the highest standard, and an additional twenty percent from my personal account for each of them; also, make sure their families are well taken care of… They died protecting me, and we cannot let them down.”

“Yes, Miss. We have captured a live one and are pressing hard on the interrogation. We will have results as soon as possible.”

“Hmm.”

“…”

In Bolton Mechanical City, at the office apartment of the Rose Chamber of Commerce, Vera Williams gazed upon the seven bodies covered in white cloth, her eyes filled with sorrow.

These were the loyal guards who had protected her for many years, and she could name each and every one of them.

They were as familiar to her as family.

As the bodies were carried out, Vera looked up at the ceiling, slightly dazed.

Growth had its price. Since she was banished from the family to establish her own commerce guild, she had faced too many hardships.

Now, facing death firsthand, her eyes, as pure as a starry sky, had begun to adopt a profound depth.

Thinking of something, the sadness on her face gradually faded, and her gaze became resolute.

“Knock, knock, knock…”

It was the door being knocked on. A lavishly dressed, corpulent woman entered the room.

As soon as she entered, she prattled on, “Vera, I heard you just ordered the accounts room to distribute fifty gold coins as remuneration to each person? Oh, isn’t that a bit too much? You know, hiring a Card Disciple mercenary in the mercenaries’ market, death compensation is merely ten gold coins. Although the commerce guild has made quite a bit of money, there’s no need to waste it on dead people.”

“…”

Hearing these words, Vera had not intended to have a falling out with her own relative over a mere sum of money.

But for some reason, she thought of those deceased, and an inexplicable irritation arose in her heart. She interrupted the corpulent woman without letting her finish, “Aunt, if it weren’t for the guards’ desperate protection, I might already be dead.”

The corpulent woman was taken aback by her own niece’s retort.

Finally sensing the awkward atmosphere, she didn’t say anything further, “That’s also true. You decide then.”

But then a thought crossed her mind, and a sly glint flickered in her small eyes. She ventured, “By the way, that gunman, was he sent by your grandfather to protect you?”

“…”

Vera’s mind was cluttered with many thoughts and she did not wish to speak more, staying silent in response.

Although she was naïve by nature and did not like to think ill of her relatives,

She was not foolish.

If the family guards in Machinery City had joined in the effort to eliminate the assassin, perhaps the casualties would not have been so great.

Moreover, if it were not for the intervention of that stranger, her own fate would have been grim.

Furthermore, this assassination attempt was very mysterious.

The corpulent woman, noticing Vera’s demeanor, saw a glimpse of shrewdness in her eyes. Her fat, ring-laden hands quietly touched her handbag, then said, “Vera, don’t blame your aunt for being nosy. I’m telling you, be wary of people with ulterior motives. This ‘hero saves the damsel’ act is clichéd. I encountered too many when I was young. Those rascals change their ways to catch the attention of young ladies. Now that your commerce guild is just starting to thrive, be careful…”

Vera had heard this sort of talk many times before, usually taking it as the concern of an elder, passing it off with a laugh.

But listening now, she didn’t know why she felt an inexplicable irritation, as if some thoughts in her heart were in conflict. She interrupted, “I understand.”

The corpulent woman heard this, and a spasm crossed the fat on her rich face, continuing, “Maybe all the assassination was fake, all an act. Be careful with that. And if it was real, then all the more reason not to keep strangers in the commerce guild. I say give him some money later, send him on his way. We shouldn’t let people of unknown origin stay in the building…”

Upon hearing this, Vera’s brows furrowed and her eyes earnestly shifted to her aunt. She spoke seriously, “That gentleman just saved my life! Our Song Family repays our debts. Aunt, I think right now we should investigate clearly who wants to assassinate me, rather than waste energy on trivial matters.”

“You…”

The corpulent woman couldn’t understand why her niece wasn’t being “obedient” today, but not coming to a conclusion, she didn’t continue, “Alright, since you have your own judgment, I won’t nag anymore.”

The atmosphere in the room was odd, and she felt it inappropriate to stay any longer; on her way out, she added, “Don’t hold it against me for being naggy, we’re family after all, I’m doing this for your own good.”

Vera listened and faintly acknowledged, “Hmm.”

Only when the woman had left did she feel the invisible oppression lift.

Then something suddenly occurred to Vera, and the seriousness on her face softened as she murmured, “Right, I don’t know how that gentleman’s injuries are doing.”

At that thought, she felt she should pay a visit to express her gratitude.

She had indeed been fortunate to have her life saved by someone.

And she always had a sense of inexplicable familiarity with that gentleman.

…

Meanwhile, in another guest room of the Rose Chamber of Commerce.

This was within the urban area of Bolton Mechanical City.

The buildings in the city were mostly steel-frame structures, covering an area as large as three major towns put together, capable of accommodating tens of thousands of residents.

When Machinery City was not moving, various mechanical arms could extend the dwellings like stilted houses, expanding the usable area of the city several times over.

The apartments of the Rose Chamber of Commerce were like a small castle.