"She didn't offend me."
Elysia's voice was cold as forged steel. "And she is my friend."
She bit down hard on the last two words, leaving no room for doubt.
There was a loud crash on the other end of the line, as if someone had knocked over a chair, followed by a pained yelp.
"S-she's your friend?!"
The man's voice trembled violently.
"I'll give you a choice."
Elysia did not bother with pleasantries.
"Either you resolve Eden's contract issues completely, or you can go dig potatoes in Siberia."
"H-how do I resolve it?"
He asked in a panic. The frozen wastelands of Siberia did not sound appealing.
"I'll pay her termination fee. Name the amount."
"Three… thirty-two million…" His voice was barely audible, testing his luck.
"You really expect me to pay that?" Her tone dropped sharply.
"No, no! Not at all! I misspoke!"
He nearly sobbed.
"I meant—I'll compensate Eden thirty-two million!"
"When will it be settled?"
"Tomorrow—"
"Mm?" Elysia's drawn-out hum carried a clear warning.
"Now! Immediately! Secretary— hey! Secretary!"
He began shouting at someone in the room.
"Go handle Eden's contract right now!"
"Do you mean collecting the penalty?" the secretary asked uncertainly.
"Collect your head!" he roared. "Transfer thirty-two billion to Eden immediately and terminate the contract unilaterally! Now!"
"Understood. Wait— what?!"
"Move! Or we'll both be digging potatoes in Siberia!"
After shouting at his subordinate, he hurried back to the call.
"Miss Elysia… does this satisfy you?"
"Don't ask me."
Her voice was calm.
"Ask Eden."
"I'll contact her right away. May I hang up?"
"Wait."
She paused him.
"Do not mention me. Understood?"
"Yes! Absolutely! Any further instructions?"
No answer.
She hung up.
Leaning back into the sofa, she exhaled slowly.
—
The man had barely wiped the sweat from his forehead when another call came through.
This one bore the emblem of Schicksal.
He swallowed hard and answered.
A cool female voice spoke immediately.
"This is Sirin. Sirin Kaslana. Understood?"
His mind blanked.
Had his ancestors offended someone in another life? Why were calamities arriving in waves?
First Anti-Entropy's little sovereign.
Now Schicksal's.
"H-how may I assist you?"
His tone was even more respectful.
"I heard Eden is signed under your company."
Sirin's voice revealed nothing.
"You truly have no eye for talent. Transfer her to Schicksal Entertainment. Understood?"
"…What?"
He was stunned.
"Reluctant?" Her voice cooled.
"No! Not at all!"
He quickly explained.
"Anti-Entropy just contacted us as well… also about Eden…"
"What name?"
There was a brief pause.
"Was it Elysia?"
"Yes! You know her?"
"Of course."
"What did she say?"
He repeated everything word for word.
"Double the compensation."
Sirin spoke lightly.
"What?!"
"I'm in a bad mood. Understand?"
"Yes. Understood."
He dared not argue.
—
By the time both calls ended, his expression looked as though a disaster had befallen him.
Sixty-four billion.
Gone in mere sentences.
His heart felt carved out.
But what choice did he have?
—
Moments later, he called Eden.
"What are you playing at?"
Her voice was icy, utterly different from the warmth she had shown Elysia.
"No tricks! None!"
He scrambled for words.
"The Imperial Council… had a change of heart. This is your compensation. From now on… we part ways."
Before she could respond, he hung up.
—
Eden stared at her phone.
A massive transfer.
A contract termination.
Something was wrong.
Her thoughts drifted to the pink-haired girl from earlier.
Could it be…
She disliked owing favors.
Even to someone who adored her.
She moved to call, only to realize—
They had never exchanged contact information.
"Miss Eden! Look!"
Aran burst in with a tablet.
"We're rich! And that scoundrel actually terminated the contract!"
"Mm."
Eden's reply was distant.
"You're not happy?"
"There's something wrong."
She traced the edge of her phone unconsciously.
"I fear… I cannot repay this kindness."
"Kindness? From who?"
"Perhaps… that little fan today."
Aran stared.
"She's in high school! How could she possibly force that miser to comply?"
"Can you find her for me?"
"I'll try!"
Aran hurried away and called a friend.
"Aran? What's going on?"
"I need help. Can you look up someone? Her name is Ely—"
"Elysia?"
"Yes! You know her?"
The tone on the other end shifted instantly.
"How do you know her?"
"I just… met her. We talked. I'd like to reconnect."
She blushed slightly at her own excuse.
"Captain Elysia's information is not something I can disclose."
The reply was firm.
"I advise you not to inquire further."
The call ended.
Aran stared at her phone.
"Captain?"
The word exploded in her mind.
She turned and ran.
"Miss Eden! This is serious!"
…
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