Mocha's Phone Call III

Not going out?

Annie stiffened.

How could she possibly not go out?! This was an opportunity to change her fate! Now that she had encountered it, she couldn't let it slip away!

Still, it wouldn't be good to argue with Uncle Mocha here. Better agree for now?

Once she got through this hurdle, wouldn't it all be up to her anyway...

With that in mind, Annie's eyes darted around before she obediently agreed.

Ryan glanced at her but said nothing.

The moment Annie's little eyes started moving, he knew exactly what she was planning.

With her temperament, if she could really restrain herself from going out, he would eat the table in front of him!

But...

Looking at Mocha, who was staring at him and waiting for an answer, Ryan hesitated briefly before saying, "Annie, there are some things I want to discuss with Uncle Mocha alone."

"Company business?"

Annie asked calmly, though there was a trace of displeasure deep in her eyes.

Discussing something while deliberately keeping it from her made it seem as if he didn't trust her.

Though she knew that probably wasn't the truth, and it was perfectly normal for someone to have secrets—she had some herself now—hearing Ryan say it still made her feel deeply uncomfortable.

"No. Uh, it does have something to do with that."

Seeing Annie's dissatisfied gaze, Ryan forced himself to answer.

The show had already begun. If he told Annie now that her so-called miraculous encounter was all part of an act he had made up, wouldn't she bite him to death?!

Besides, Demiurge, Albedo, Mare, Aura, Shalltear, Cocytus, and even the Pleiades Battle Maids had all eagerly signed up for roles in the later parts of the act after learning of his idea.

If he told them now that the whole performance had fallen apart because of him, everyone would be disappointed! They would definitely be disappointed!

In any case, he had to keep this lie about demon hunters going for as long as possible. He absolutely couldn't expose it himself. Besides, once enough time passed, Annie probably wouldn't be as furious about being deceived anymore. Uh, probably...

"Tch. Then take your time talking with Uncle Mocha. I'll go help Aunt Rose clean up the house."

Watching Ryan hem and haw, Annie walked out of the study in slight irritation.

Bang...

The study door closed again. Mocha turned his gaze to Ryan and asked, "What did you want to tell me that made you send Annie out?"

"Something rather confidential. It's not that Annie can't know, but if she does, it'll cause me some trouble!"

Ryan spoke somewhat helplessly as he raised a hand and cast a soundproofing spell to keep Annie from accidentally hearing anything.

During his earlier examination, he had discovered that Annie already possessed the physique of a level-seven warrior from the game. Her physical abilities had reached—no, exceeded—the limits of a normal human body.

Though she was probably still slightly inferior to Captain America's physique, if she concentrated and listened, a wooden door would not be enough to block her hearing.

Not that he thought Annie would eavesdrop, but it was better to be cautious in case Uncle Mocha started shouting later.

"Here's the thing..."

Ryan altered the events that had happened to him and began explaining from the start.

"Annie, why did you come out? Are they done talking?"

In the living room, Rose, who was sitting on the sofa watching television, heard movement from the study and turned to ask.

"No. I don't know what Ryan wants to say to Uncle Mocha, but he kicked me out!"

With a few traces of frustration on her little face, Annie picked up an apple from the fruit platter and viciously took a bite.

"That's not nearly as dramatic as you make it sound. Little Ryan usually spoils you rotten. How could he possibly kick you out? They must be discussing something important.

I also heard from Mocha that Little Ryan's company hasn't been doing well lately." Rose walked over to Annie, reached out to smooth away the anger on her face, and comforted her with a smile.

"Of course I know that!" Annie leaned back slightly, refusing to let Rose continue tormenting her face.

"Ryan has always treated me like a child. The reason he won't let me listen this time must be because he has some dangerous plan that he doesn't want me to know about or worry over. But I want to help him too!"

Annie's face was filled with frustration.

She didn't want to be a burden, but reality had kept her from finding any way to help.

Ryan had developed too quickly. In less than ten years, he had built one of the world's leading companies. Before such a massive force, her strength and intelligence had been of little use, and Ryan had easily solved every problem they had encountered in the past.

But this time was different. She was different too!

This time, she would definitely be able to help. Ryan would be shocked when the time came!

If he begged her then, it wouldn't be impossible for her to bring him along to train. Well, she would have to ask her teacher first, but there probably wouldn't be any problem.

"Then you need to work hard, Annie. One day, you'll be able to help him."

Seeing that the girl's mood had somehow improved considerably, Rose said with a smile.

"Yes, I have to work hard!"

Annie said with a smile, determination flashing through her eyes.

Inside the study, Ryan had finished telling his altered version of the truth. After fiercely rubbing his head, Mocha asked in disbelief, "You're saying you made that will ten years ago because you suddenly gained the ability to travel between worlds?"

"Yes." Ryan nodded.

"And the blood you had me test was blood from someone in another world?" Mocha continued.

"Yes." Ryan nodded again.

"That world not only has advanced technology, but also something as unscientific as magic?" Mocha asked once more.

"That's right. And I have an exceptional talent for magic. In that world, I'm considered one of the highest-ranking magic casters!" Ryan shamelessly praised himself as he calmly extended his right hand. A dazzling ball of lightning hovered quietly above his palm.

"My God! This is unbelievable!"

Mocha rubbed his face and paced around the study several times before gradually calming down.

Though it sounded like a fantasy story, after looking at the crackling lightning ball in Ryan's hand, he decided to believe it.

"Looks like I meddled for nothing today. What are you planning to do?"

After taking two deep breaths to calm himself, Mocha asked.

"I'm planning to take the company private and kick those bastards out."

"You know those people have all been waiting for me to die over the years. Targeting me before was one thing, but this time they went after Annie. I can't keep tolerating them."

Ryan's tone was calm, but anyone could hear the determination in his voice.

"Is that so? If you're confident, then do it. And since you know magic, you know who those bastards who kidnapped Annie are too, right?"

A vicious glint flashed through Mocha's eyes. He had tried to persuade Ryan before because they were at a disadvantage.

But now that he knew they had a trump card that couldn't lose no matter what, why the hell would they keep holding back? Of course they should wipe out every one of those ill-intentioned bastards.

"Of course. And to prevent something like this from happening again, I specifically asked a friend of mine to help train Annie. So, Uncle Mocha, please don't tell her about my magic for now."

Ryan briefly explained his arrangements for Annie. After hearing him out, Mocha nodded in understanding.

He had already thought Annie's behavior today was strange. She had been far too obedient. Now, he finally understood why.

"When little Annie finds out you lied to her, explain it yourself."

Mocha looked up and spoke calmly.

"Uh, of course."

Ryan stiffly nodded. His attempt to pass the blame had failed before it had even begun.