Chapter 159

“Grandpa, the game is over, let’s go.”

As Dylan gestured with a gloomy countenance, robust security personnel emerged swiftly from the cars encircling Vincent.

The ambiance immediately grew fraught, yet the expressions on the faces of Lennok and Vincent, who locked eyes, remained entirely composed.

Vincent might not be aware, but Lennok had a rough idea of the implications of his appearance at this juncture.

As Mila reached for the shotgun slung across her back, Vincent resumed speaking.

“Well, it seems like your young friends are not in a good mood, so let me get straight to the point.”

“..........”

“Considering the situation, you must have been in the VIP section of the Tayna auction house as well. You must know that I was the one who won the bid for the Compassion of Archangel at the end.”

“So?”

Is he intending to assert his ownership of that artifact now?

Just as Dylan and Mila were becoming irritated and preparing to gather their strength, Vincent, who had maintained a courteous demeanor, spoke with a smile.

“I want to formally transfer the ownership and sponsor you in return. How does that sound?”

“This audacious old man now wants to... huh?”

Mila, on the verge of exclaiming, widened her eyes as she belatedly grasped his meaning.

“You want to sponsor the team?”

“Of course. Miss, did you really think I would covet that precious artifact now?”

Vincent chuckled in response.

“I roughly know what kind of person that friend is. It wouldn’t be surprising if I got caught in the crossfire for eliminating a nuisance someday.”

He stated so while casually folding his arms and nodding.

“I’m here to prevent all that from happening in advance.”

Even upon learning Vincent Mayblack’s true intentions, Lennok remained unfazed.

If Vincent had genuinely intended to assist Irina, he would have intervened during the expedition’s confrontation.

His absence until this moment indicated that he had, from the outset, assessed the expedition’s chances of success as slim.

Instead, he offered sponsorship to Lennok as a means of eliminating the nuisance and resolving the grudge, taking the initiative.

After observing the course of the battle, his prompt move to solidify his position was remarkably astute.

Lennok chuckled and shook his head.

“It would be better to discuss the details with Jenny. She’s much better at negotiating than me.”

“..........”

“Well, I get what you want to say. Let’s agree to cleanly forget what happened with the expedition team after today.”

What could it signify when the Irina-led Arasha expedition team had met its demise?

Essentially, what Lennok conveyed was that he had no intention of implicating even the sponsors who had supported her, and Vincent grasped this immediately.

“You’re quick to understand. I’m also pleased to send you off.”

With Vincent’s words, the bodyguards quietly cleared a path through the forest.

The three of them then walked past the elderly man and proceeded toward the street.

As Lennok walked past him, Vincent spoke in a hushed tone.

“Meyer wanted me to send his regards to you. He’s looking forward to the day we meet again.”

“..........”

Meyer.

It had been a while since he had heard that name, but Lennok hadn’t forgotten it.

A connection forged during entanglements with a pharmaceutical company.

Starting as a district council member and even holding a seat on the city government’s inspection committee at one point, Meyer was an elderly man brimming with avarice.

Lennok had remembered him for his extraordinary greed, and it appeared Meyer hadn’t forgotten about Lennok either.

Never did he expect to hear Meyer’s name in a place like this.

Will their paths cross again someday?

No, surely Meyer must have left this message to convey his regards through a mutual acquaintance.

As always, he was quite the unique individual.

Lennok continued on without offering a response, and Vincent didn’t detain him either.

Only the faint scent of blood lingering in the fallen forest marked the conclusion of the brief yet intense expedition.

******

“Alright, raise your posture a little more. Lift your legs higher!”

“Hu, ugh..!!”

“You’re still far from done. More, more!!”

“Judging by your sales skills, I can guess how successful this studio must be.”

Despite his casual tone, his eyes held a keen intensity, and there was an unexpected warmth in his demeanor.

Considering Lennok’s usual caution around people, one could surmise how others might feel about her.

“Well, I make enough to get by.”

She replied casually and immediately began a stretching routine.

“Next time you come, I’ll teach you exercises with equipment. I do like doing mat exercises, but equipment is also good for correcting posture and strengthening core muscles.”

“..........”

“I can offer you one free session. It’s a secret from other customers.”

Lennok chuckled in disbelief.

“Is that how you do business? Or is that your secret to success?”

“You can tell just by looking at the customers who come here.”

Lancia spoke with an impassive expression.

“Based on the state of your muscles, I can see you’re at least managing your diet well. I like that you’re not someone who comes here without making any effort at all.”

“..........”

“I prefer people who are sincere when they exercise.”

“.....Let’s continue.”

Lennok slowly eased the tension from his body as he replied.

“Please go easy on me so I don’t get muscle soreness.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Now, follow me.”

“..........”

That day, Lennok could only head home after finally releasing a sigh of relief.

******

“It took some time, but we finally did it.”

Jenny, her eyes marked by dark circles, made this statement while fixated on her laptop.

Clearly, she had been exhausted from her day job as a broker, coupled with her relentless scouring of the deep web. The deep web was a more accessible resource for brokers like her, making it an integral part of her work.

“It was exhausting to run around collecting information about the safe that the drug lord hid, but once we started digging into the information we have, the answers started to come.”

Jenny said this and sneakily glanced up at Lennok’s face, looking surprised.

“......Your face doesn’t look so good either. Are you okay?”

“Huh? Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m feeling great right now.”

Lennok responded, his cheeks sunken and his complexion pallid.

“Do you expect me to believe that?”

It wasn’t an entirely inaccurate statement.

Following that day, Lennok diligently attended Lancia’s Pilates studio three more times, and his muscle soreness vanished within two days.

While he appeared worse due to exerting himself more than usual, the revitalized energy in his body was considerable.

They say a sound mind dwells in a sound body.

For the first time in a long while, Lennok maintained a decent mental state even without smoking.

Jordan, who approached him, examined Lennok’s complexion and displayed a mildly surprised expression.

“It’s not a lie. Your heartbeat has become quite regular. Did you receive treatment from Yakson?”

“No, I’ve recently started exercising.”

As he turned his stiff neck, it emitted a satisfying crack, and his joints moved fluidly.

“It’s more effective than I thought.”

“...If it’s effective for you, it must surely be beneficial. Jenny should also start taking care of herself...”

“Jordan, I will never exercise. I’d rather die than move my body.”

“See?”

“..........”

Amidst their conversation, Lennok shook his head leisurely.

Regardless of how carelessly Jenny led her life, she would still be in better health than Lennok, so there was little to worry about.

Even Jordan, with his acute medical intuition, likely discreetly attended to her well-being.

It wasn’t a matter that necessitated Lennok’s intervention.

“Both of you, stop it. Let’s go up to the office. This isn’t the place to discuss it.”

If Jenny had summoned Lennok directly to make such comments, it undoubtedly meant that significant progress had been achieved.

After navigating through the intricacies of the auction house, Yakson, the expedition team, and the sponsors, the plan to breach the drug lord’s secure vault had finally commenced in earnest.