226 RELEASED FROM A KIDNAP… FOR FREE?
"Then perhaps you can demonstrate the process for us again," Selassie said after a long pause, his voice measured.
Megane tilted her head, her smirk deepening. "I could. But why would I? Lilleo Gullee pays me handsomely, and my stake in their pharmacy is worth a fortune."
"We'll double whatever Lilleo Gullee offers you," Easiese countered quickly.
Megane let out a dry laugh. "Do you even have that kind of money anymore?"
The door creaked open, and a woman stepped into view, her black attire exuding power and menace.
"We do," the newcomer said, her voice smooth and commanding. "Allow me to introduce myself—I am Cruenna. We represent capital from the city, and we have more than enough funds to meet your demands."
Megane regarded the woman curiously. "Foreign investors? That's rare and bold."
Cruenna chuckled. "Bold moves are necessary in these times. We have powerful backers who believe in the Cergontyn family's resurgence."
Large casks of silver were brought into the room and opened, revealing glinting coins. Cruenna gestured dramatically. "See? We're serious."
Megane leaned forward, letting the coins run through her fingers. "Impressive," she said lightly, "but no amount of silver guarantees success."
"Name your price," Cruenna urged.
Megane's expression grew calculating. "Let's talk terms, then."
What followed was a tense negotiation, with Megane driving a serious and hard bargain. Her demands were steep, but Cruenna eventually relented, though her sharp gaze lingered on Megane with an edge of suspicion.
"I'm curious," Cruenna said. "Why betray Lilleo Gullee now? You've profited under him."
Megane shrugged. "Because they're running out of Spike cactus. Without it, they can't sustain production of the Magic Gathering Potion. You bought up all the Spike cactus farms—quite the strategic move, by the way. If I don't jump ship now, the potion will die without them."
Easiese frowned. "Production of the Magic Gathering potion has been unusually slow. The potion's become a rare luxury sold only in auctions. Is it because they lack ingredients?"
Liama nodded, realization dawning. "So, buying those farms wasn't a mistake after all."
Megane smirked. "No, Lilleo Gullee wasn't pleased at all when you bought the farms. He's been lobbying the Assassin Guild to foreclose early on your remaining properties, hoping to force you to sell the farms back to him."
Selassie let out a low chuckle, his first show of mirth in weeks. "He thought he could corner us. That conniving bastard."
Easiese leaned forward. "Now that we understand, will you demonstrate the brewing process again?"
"I can," Megane replied, "but I'll need my cauldron. The flame is specially calibrated. Without it, the potion won't form."
Selassie frowned. "So, the problem wasn't the ingredients but the flame?"
"Precisely," Megane confirmed. "Even the slightest deviation ruins the potion. That's why you've failed so far."
"Can you replicate the flame with a different cauldron?" Cruenna asked.
Megane hesitated. "It's possible, but my notes are in my office. Without them, it'll take time—time you don't have. If you want to reclaim your market position, you need results fast."
"Then retrieve the notes," Easiese said, earning incredulous looks from the others.
Megane laughed, a sharp sound that cut through the room. "You kidnapped me just to let me stroll back to Court La Mood? That's cute."
"This isn't a kidnapping," Cruenna interjected smoothly. "We're business partners now."
"Right," Megane said with a knowing smile. "But everyone saw me enter your office. If I return to Court La Mood now, Lilleo Gullee will suspect I've betrayed him. You know his... methods."
The room fell silent.
"What do you suggest?" Selassie asked eventually.
Megane leaned back in her chair. "That's your problem to solve. But if you don't send me back without raising suspicion, this partnership ends before it begins. And remember I need to get my mother out too."
Cruenna's sharp mind worked behind her steely eyes. "I have an idea."
------
[At Court la Mood]
"How did you get back here unharmed?" Grammers asked, his voice a mix of relief and curiosity as Megane stepped into the room.
"It's a long story," Megane replied with a tired smile, her posture relaxed despite the ordeal she'd just faced.
"We were preparing an army to rescue you. If you hadn't returned, we would have launched an attack on the Cergontyn family," Grangya said, urgency still lacing her tone.
When Megane activated the SOS magic embedded in the charm on her chest, Grangya raised the alarm immediately, mobilizing security forces and assembling troops. But before the plan could be executed, Megane walked back through the doors, unharmed.
Leo, however, didn't seem the least bit surprised.
"Did the plan work?" he asked, his sharp gaze locking onto her.
"Oh, it worked perfectly," Megane said, a smirk playing on her lips. "They were as gullible as you predicted."
"What exactly did you pull off this time?" Grangya asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Leo and I had a contingency plan in case I was kidnapped by the Cergontyn family. It ensured they'd send me back here unharmed," Megane explained.
Leo nodded, though his expression darkened slightly. "It worked, but we can't risk pulling something like this again. Your safety isn't a gamble I'm willing to make twice. That said, you're a natural for a first-time grifter."
Megane chuckled. "I had a good teacher."
Grammers stepped forward, his face softening. "Your mother is safe. She's resting now in your quarters."
Megane exhaled, relief washing over her. "Good. As long as she's here, I'm not stepping outside for anyone. Leaving her unprotected was my mistake in the first place."
She paused, her tone shifting to one of intrigue. "Oh, and there's a new twist—the Temple of Hera is backing the Cergontyn family."
Leo crossed his arms. "Yes, it's that bitch Cruenna. Sujira already informed me."
"Sujira is involved?" Grangya asked, her brow furrowing.
Megane nodded. "Cruenna needed to send me back here without arousing suspicion that I'd betrayed Lilleo Gullee. So, she brought in Sujira to 'rescue' me."
Madam Cruenna asked Sujira to volunteer to rescue Megane for Leo. In this way it would appear that Megane was rescued instead of returning unharmed herself which would arouse suspicions.