Although Frank tried to get the men's attention, they were still transfixed on Noel and ignored Frank's voice.Having no choice, Frank barked so loud that the golden lion on the desk shook. "Gentlemen!""Huh? What?!"The two men finally came to their senses, and Frank looked between them. "This is Longham Garments, correct? Who's the owner?"Urian promptly raised a hand and smiled. "That's me—I'm the owner. Just call me Mr. Reno."Frank then turned toward Chet. "And you are…?" Chet cleared his throat. "Oh, right. I'm… ahem. I'm Chet Jonas… A fashion designer, I guess."His words left Urian cursing inwardly at him again—designer? More like a lapdog of the Lionhearts, conning everyone everywhere with their influence."Ahem…"Urian then smiled at Noel. "Welcome, Ms. York! It's an honor of a lifetime that you would visit my humble factory."While Urian was stunned by Noel's looks and figure, he knew his place.Such a well-billed star celebrity most certainly had backing—whoever
"What do you want?"Noel frowned as she backed away, surprised that Chet was so bold that he was ready to make a move in public."Oh, don't misunderstand."Chet stopped and smiled smugly. "I don't mind telling you that I'm assistant to Sil Lionheart, vice chief of Volsung Sect's Caudal Hall. It must therefore be fate that brings us together, Ms. York… Why don't you consider a partnership with Lionhearts?""Sure, the Lionhearts do not have a monopoly on showbiz like the Soranos, but with me here, you will have protection. Just join us Lionhearts, and I'll ask Sil to invest in you, elevating you to unprecedented heights. How about that?"Chet thought that his offer was very attractive, since people were always terrified and respectful every time he mentioned the Lionhearts.As such, even Noel—who was famous throughout Draconia—was just another girl in Chet's eyes.After all, would she dare go against the Lionhearts?That was when Frank strode up, staring at Chet in amusement as h
Chet spoke politely, "Mr. Lionheart, we have a situation here, and I need some assistance from Caudal Hall.""That dozenish men in Zamri are all we can spare there," Sil growled unhappily from the other end. "They are martial elites, but you know why they are important. We can't compromise the operation.""I know."Chet smiled viciously. "Don't worry, sir, I'm just resolving a little personal issue. I promise we won't be exposed."Silence ensued for a while, until Sil sighed from the other end. "Fine. Remember—those men are there to deal with Lanecorp and sabotage their operations. Do not let Lanecorp see them. Do you understand?""Don't worry, sir!" Chet said as he hung up and smiled viciously while glancing at the office door behind him. "Oh Noel… Don't blame me for trying when you showed up here. Blame your pretty cheek and body of yours for being so tempting!"Even as Chet sneered, he remained oblivious.After all, the martial elites of Caudal Hall were exactly the saboteurs
Stilling his pounding heart, Urian did his best to look calm. "Where did you get this button?"However, he had no idea that Frank's sharp eye noticed the flicker of panic he showed for a second.He had a hunch right then that Urian was connected to the saboteurs who attacked Lanecorp's transport trucks.In fact, he was in the loop and not just a supplier of clothes, or he would not panic like that.It was just an instant, but Frank could see through Urian.Bang!Frank slammed his palm on Urian's desk, projecting an invisible pressure as he leaned close to Urian's pudgy face. "Mr. Reno, I'm asking you a question! Now, tell me—did you manufacture this button?!"While Urian flinched from Frank's threat, he gulped.Still, he came to his senses before he said anything—this was not right!This was Longham Garments, his turf!And since this place was his turf, why would he allow anyone to threaten him here?!Even if he was up against Noel, Chet had already said it—Noel did not have
Noel carefully tucked the button into her pocket, patting it. "And since you're not the manufacturer, I shall excuse myself."One could expect nothing less from her, getting into character even when she was not filming at the moment.There was a mix of sadness and disappointment on her face, and it was almost not an act the way she looked at the button—she looked just like a maiden who had just found an object of affection.And now, she appeared in a dilemma but nodded at Frank to leave Urian's office together.At the same time, Frank had a hunch that Urian would stop them when they reached the door.After all, Frank had observed that Urian was fickle, and it would take an idiot not to take an opportunity to make money.There was no way he could resist that, just as it was such a major bragging point that his factory would not even need any other publicity efforts after this.The influence of Draconia's top actress was no joke—it was very likely that he would receive orders from
Seeing Urian's earnest, fawning smile, Noel smiled too.Her expression almost drained Noel of his soul, like he was suddenly taken to paradise.However, that all came to a screeching halt as Noel said, "Well, I'm afraid I'd have to say no."Urian flinched and came to his senses, and asked in confusion, "But why? Don't you like that button, Ms. York?"Noel shook her head."I know a thing or two about fashion, Mr. Reno—I've designed clothing myself."Pausing, Noel then smiled. "I know that buttons appear to be a simple part of clothing, but everything from the manufacturing process and materials matter, so most factories can't perfectly imitate any button they come across. Even if they do, it'd be second best… and I need the original manufacturer urgently, so I must apologize, Mr. Reno."Urian panicked as Noel strode around him toward the door."One day!"He cried as he pressed his weight against the door. "I swear by my name, Ms. York. If your price is right and you believe me,
"What? Five million?!" Noel exclaimed, stunned by the number.As Draconia's top actress, while she could be nitpicky when it came to her clothes' designs, it was still ridiculous that a modest manufacturer would demand five million dollars from her.While it was not that much money to her, giving it to a man like Urian left her more or less sick.And seeing that Noel was shocked, Urian quickly came clean and added seriously, "Trust me, Ms. York. You don't have much time—just take my deal, and you'd be dodging a bullet.""I…"While Noel remained hesitant about paying Urian, Frank strode up."I'll take the deal in her stead," Frank said as he whipped out a checkbook from his coat pocket, taking a pen from Urian's desk and writing five million dollars on it."Okay… Good, good."As Urian took the offered check and saw that it was no fake, his face lit up in greed."So? Can you tell us what danger awaits her?" Frank's question left Urian hesitant, but he soon made up his mind.
Having formulated his plan to rat out Chet, Urian smiled ever so slightly. "Do you remember that man just now, Ms. York?""Chet Jonas?" Noel nodded.Chet was definitely no angel—she could tell that much from the way he was so transfixed on herself.In fact, he was very blunt about wanting her, saying stuff like a full-body checkup to find out if her goods were real.Just thinking about the man sickened Noel—how could such someone so despicable exist?Still, Noel bottled her repulsion and asked, "What is it, Mr. Reno? Does he intend to hurt me?""Exactly." Urian sighed softly. "I'll come clean right now—Chet Jonas is a Lionheart, but he's no more than a lapdog who runs errands. But this time, he has brought over a dozen Lionheart martial elites and infiltrated Zamri for unknown reasons."Seeing that both Frank and Noel were staring at him, Urian measured his words before he continued, "I'll admit that the button you brought was made in this factory, but that's a deal that Chet