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The ringing phone pulled Eric out of his thoughts.
He glanced at the screen. An unfamiliar number.
"Hello?" Eric answered.
"You were looking for me?"
The voice on the other end made Eric's body jolt.
That feeling-of his life being completely held in someone else's hands-was something he had never experienced before.
So he remembered this voice very clearly.
"Mr. Morin," Eric said quickly, his tone respectful. "I'm looking for you regarding some private matters."
"Private matters?"
"Yes. If you're willing, we can meet in person to discuss it. That might be better."
Eric continued, "If you're busy or don't trust me, you can choose the location and time. I'll come alone."
"Alright," Morin said with a soft laugh.
"The location is your office. The time is now."
"Now, open the door."
"..." Eric fell silent.
Three gentle knocks sounded on his office door.
Only then did Eric react. He jumped up and carefully walked over to open it.
"Mr. Morin... Morin?"
When the door opened, Eric froze.
Morin was standing right there.
Eric subconsciously looked behind him and to the side-but there were no guards. None of his people were following behind.
So how did Morin get in?
Were his men already dead?
Or had they simply let someone in without even reporting it?
Eric wasn't unhappy with Morin.
He was just thinking-
If Morin could walk all the way up to him without anyone noticing, then could other assassins do the same?
At that thought, Eric had the sudden urge to replace every single one of his security guards.
"Don't worry," Morin said with a smile, as if reading his thoughts.
"While I did come in this easily, it would be very difficult for others to do the same."
"Are we going to talk by the door?"
"Please come in, please come in, Mr. Morin," Eric said quickly, snapping back to his senses.
"Sorry, I was just... surprised."
"No need," Morin replied calmly.
"It's just a basic move."
After they sat down, Morin got straight to the point.
"You paid such a high price to find me. Why?"
"It's like this, Mr. Morin," Eric said, setting aside thoughts of security and focusing.
"I've already held a board meeting and announced that we'll be changing our drug prices."
"Once the FDA approves it, the changes will be fully implemented."
"Good," Morin nodded. "And?"
"But I've realized something troubling," Eric said.
"After Moderna sent someone to assassinate me, I understood that the security guards I hired are useless against professional hitmen."
"I see," Morin said calmly. "You want me to protect you?"
"Yes!" Eric nodded eagerly. "Mr. Morin, you're very perceptive."
"Previously, I sold legitimate branded drugs, but because of the high prices, I gave other companies room to survive. If I lower the prices now-"
"When people are driven into a corner," Morin said, nodding,
"they'll use any means necessary."
"I understand. You're worried that those companies will band together, put a bounty on your head, and hire assassins to kill you."
"Yes!" Eric nodded again.
"As compensation, I'm willing to-"
"Wait," Morin interrupted.
"What?" Eric was startled. "Sir, please-whatever it is, I'm willing to-"
"No, no, no," Morin said with a laugh.
"I'll help you. But we need to phrase it differently."
"I'm a man of principle."
"...Phrase it differently?" Eric was clearly lost.
"You need to ask for my help in another way," Morin said, lightly tapping the desk.
"I am a Templar."
"I fight to protect order, and I oppose assassins and killers who disrupt it."
"So now," Morin continued evenly,
"you, Mr. Eric, as the CEO and Chairman of the Eric Group, have chosen to turn over a new leaf."
"You've decided to lower your drug prices to a normal level, thereby upholding law and order."
"However," he went on,
"your competitors-those who have already lost their morals and disrupted order-will retaliate by any means necessary."
"They will employ the dark minions of the underworld, place a heavy bounty on your head, and hire assassins to murder you."
"All so they can protect their own interests and continue disrupting order."
"For these reasons, you have come to me."
"To a Templar."
"To seek help."
"Because protecting order is a Templar's duty."
"And as compensation for a Templar fulfilling that duty," Morin said, smiling faintly,
"you have chosen to pay..."
He looked at Eric.
"Mr. Eric?"
"Huh?" Eric snapped out of it.
He never imagined things could be framed like this.
What started as fear-driven self-preservation had been elevated into a righteous act to protect order itself.
The difference was enormous.
Are you really a Templar?
No-are you a politician?
Only a politician could turn something like this into such a lofty cause.
Eric's thoughts were in chaos.
"As a witness and petitioner to everything I just said," Morin continued calmly,
"what compensation are you willing to offer?"
"I'm willing to..." Eric thought for a moment, then spoke decisively.
"Whatever bounty they put on me, I'll pay double as compensation."
"And as proof of our friendly cooperation-and our shared goal of protecting order-I'm willing to pay an additional one million dollars in advance."
Eric was a CEO.
He knew how to speak.
"You are very generous, Mr. Eric," Morin said with satisfaction.
"The Templars thank you for your contribution to protecting order."
Morin was in an excellent mood.
What kind of bounty would the Continental Hotel place on a multinational CEO?
It would undoubtedly be a massive sum.
And with Morin's phrasing, this payment had become legitimate income tied to a Templar's duty.
Before moving on to the main part of his plan, he could enjoy a small appetizer-
And test what kind of enhancements the Templar profession would grant as it leveled up.
"Then, as a token of goodwill," Morin said,
"besides protecting your safety, I will also deal with those despicable individuals who have disrupted order."
"To protect order," he concluded,
"I will do my utmost."