She Would Be Back

After spending all this time with him, Eiffel had gradually begun to truly understand Mr. Jonas's nature.

Just as she had assessed before.

Jonas was exceptionally good at disguising his intentions to achieve his true goals.

It was a skill anyone in a position of power had to master.

She simply had never imagined that one day she would become a victim of this passive skill.

He had not discussed any of this with her beforehand, and the sudden turn of events briefly left her brain frozen.

Only Jonas could possibly suggest having a Branch Director of the Peacekeeping Forces serve as his maid.

Eiffel took a deep breath, calming herself a little.

Seventy percent of the profits-even if she refused, Jonas still had room to bargain.

In Eiffel's view, as long as Jonas stood firm enough, securing ten percent of the profits from the Moslika District deal was entirely possible.

Ten percent sounded small, but Moslika District was one of the core districts. Even that share would amount to several hundred thousand credit points at the very least-round it up, and that was a seven-figure sum.

Yet Jonas had now given up that income outright, asking instead for "Yucas Amili to serve as a maid for three months."

Wasn't that demand a little too...

At that thought, a sudden flash of inspiration struck Eiffel, as though something had occurred to her.

Three months was neither a particularly long time nor a particularly short one.

Judging by Mr. Jonas's behavior, he did not seem like someone who would sacrifice his own interests for something superficial.

Could his true goal be to free Alt District's development from the constraints imposed by the Peacekeeping Forces?

Although she had verbally offered assistance, when Jonas actually confronted the board, he would be lucky if the Peacekeeping Forces did not stab him in the back.

At its core, this was a scheme by the Peacekeeping Forces to pit one threat against another. Yet Jonas's seemingly outrageous move had completely turned an unfavorable situation to his advantage.

Keeping Yucas by his side would not only hold the Peacekeeping Forces' actions in check, but also help him counter the board's arrangements to some extent.

Once Jonas became a target, Miss Yucas would have no way to simply stand by.

He had thought through so much in such a short time... Should I say that was just what I expected of Mr. Jonas?

But this approach also had a drawback... While holding the Peacekeeping Forces in check, Jonas would expose all his own actions to their scrutiny.

She was somewhat uncertain whether Jonas could keep this newly appointed Branch Director under control.

Anyone who became a Branch Director of the Peacekeeping Forces at that age was bound to be formidable.

What Eiffel could not imagine, however, was that Jonas wanted far more than merely to keep her under control.

The idea brewing in his mind was far more outlandish.

More unexpected still, Jonas had already devised a whole series of plans for that outlandish idea.

He watched the visibly irritated Miss Yucas with unhurried composure.

After taking a deep breath, the blush of shame and indignation on her face faded a little.

Her first reaction had been that he was making a fool of her, but once she realized Jonas was serious, her anger actually subsided.

Yucas regained her earlier composure, though her ears remained slightly red, lending the young woman a different sort of charm.

She glanced at the sheet of paper he had handed her and found that it was merely a simple employment contract.

Yucas could not help feeling uneasy. In truth, she was somewhat resistant to the idea.

But then she considered how her sacrifice could spare the Peacekeeping Forces a loss of several million credit points, and she seemed to feel less resistant.

After hesitating for a moment, she said:

"I need to report this to the higher-ups in the Peacekeeping Forces before I can give you an answer."

Jonas's next words immediately put an end to that idea:

"Unfortunately, no one outside those present here may know about this contract."

Yucas frowned at that and said:

"If I'm not allowed to disclose anything, how am I supposed to explain my whereabouts for those three months?"

"A secret mission, or a vacation... Surely a Branch Director has at least that much authority."

Jonas tapped lightly on the tabletop, making Yucas feel increasingly unsettled.

She struggled inwardly, and only after a long while did she speak:

"I'm afraid I cannot accept that condition."

There was no surprise on Jonas's face, as though he had expected her to say that all along.

He stood, bowed slightly, and said:

"In that case, we have nothing more to discuss."

As he spoke, the elevator doors slowly opened, as though their timing had been calculated.

Finally, Jonas picked up a gold-plated business card from the table and handed it to Yucas. After a pause, he said:

"If you change your mind, Miss Yucas, you can contact me at any time."

Yucas took the card and looked at Jonas, seemingly hoping to read his expression and discover just what he was trying to do.

But she failed. He merely gave a slight nod, indicating that she could leave.

The young woman could only give up. She pressed her lips together and headed toward the elevator without looking back.

Watching the elevator doors slowly close and the floor indicator tick downward, Eiffel finally spoke in confusion:

"Mr. Jonas, are you just going to let her leave like that?"

At her question, Jonas waved a hand and said:

"She'll be back."

If I remember correctly, that event in the storyline should happen soon.

Unless something unexpected happens, the next time we meet, Miss Yucas will obediently sign the contract.

The viper had already bared its fangs. How could the innocent lamb possibly escape?