Purpose of the 186 Talks

The Purpose of the 186 Talks

"You did very well this time."

Carl had just been praised by Oda Sandayu, only to be handed a pile of assignments. She had barely returned to Night City and caught her breath when she received praise from Kenichi Shiro as well—apparently, he had already led Slider and his people safely out of Dogtown.

"You're not about to dump a pile of work on me again, are you?"

Having been burned once already, Carl was on high alert. This felt like the classic routine of giving someone a sweet after hitting them with a stick.

Carl's suspicion left Kenichi Shiro completely baffled. It was just like last time, when he had praised her for doing a good job and she had inexplicably replied, "Are you that bored?"

This time, though, he did not get angry. He was simply confused about what exactly went through this woman's head all day.

Carl's performance this time had indeed been flawless—she had successfully infiltrated the Pheasant Faction, earned Oda Sandayu's trust, and represented Hanako Arasaka in reaching a preliminary negotiation agreement with Hansen.

Even more outrageous, tomorrow she would be leading a team as Hanako Arasaka's personal bodyguard. What kind of infiltration was that? She had practically wormed her way into the inner circle. Even Kenichi Shiro could not find fault with her, and he could not think of any new task to assign her. Yet she was actually worried that he would squeeze her dry again?

What exactly does she take me for?

Kenichi Shiro grumbled to himself.

Does she really see me as the kind of person who works her subordinates to death?

That thought did not linger in Kenichi Shiro's mind for long. He was already used to dealing with Carl and had learned to