Chapter 140: Chapter 140: The Arrival(2)

As the reporters continued to buzz around them, Alexander von Ford and Jonathan Hamilton finally had a moment to themselves. The two old friends greeted each other warmly. Jonathan extended his hand, and Alexander grasped it firmly.

"Jonathan, it's good to see you again," Alexander said with a genuine smile.

"Alexander, it's been so long," Jonathan replied, his tone filled with warmth. "I'm glad you make it."

Nearby, Nathan and Elshienne, Jonathan's older children, spotted Alexa and approached her with friendly smiles. "Hi, Alexa!" Nathan called out. "It's great to see you here."

Elshienne added with a smile, "Noona, how are you?"

Alexa smiled back and greeted them warmly, "Hi, Nathan, Elshienne. It's nice to see you both."

Meanwhile, Alex, Jonathan's youngest daughter, stood by, clutching a plush shark. Alex approached her with a fond smile and said, "You look so cute today, Ms. Ahye."

Ahye, the four-year-old, looked up and nodded with a shy but bright smile.

As Jonathan and Alexander continued their conversation, Jonathan asked, "So, Alexander, how have you been? It's been a while since we last met."

Alexander chuckled and replied, "I've been well, thank you. It's good to catch up. I must say, I've been hearing great things about your latest items."

Jonathan's eyes lit up. "I'm glad to hear that. How have you liked the items we've sent you?"

Alexander nodded appreciatively. "They've been exceptional. Your craftsmanship continues to impress. The quality and innovation are just as impressive as ever."

Jonathan beamed with pride. "Thank you. It's always a pleasure to hear that our work is appreciated. We've been working hard to push the boundaries of what's possible."

As Jonathan Hamilton and Alexander von Ford shared their heartfelt reunion, the crowd of reporters surged with renewed vigor, their curiosity and excitement barely contained. The frenzy was palpable, as journalists elbowed each other, determined to snag the best angle for their stories.

One persistent reporter managed to inch closer and called out, "Mr. Hamilton, Mr. von Ford, can you shed some light on how you two know each other? How long has this friendship been going on?"

Another reporter, catching the vibe of the moment, chimed in with, "Is there a special project or collaboration in the pipeline between the two of you?"

Jonathan and Alexander exchanged a knowing smile, their camaraderie evident in their shared amusement. Alexander took the lead, his tone light and friendly.

"Oh, we've been pals since we were knee-high to a grasshopper. Our families go way back, so we've had each other's backs through thick and thin."

Jonathan, with a chuckle, added, "Absolutely. From playgrounds to boardrooms, we've navigated it all together. It's like having a lifelong wingman—always there, always supportive."

The reporters, momentarily caught off guard by the easygoing banter.

Kang Dae-won stood at the edge of the bustling crowd, a wide grin plastered on his face as he watched Tae-hyun. His laughter bubbled up, an unmistakable sound of amusement that caught the attention of Tae-hyun.

Tae-hyun, standing nearby with an air of gravity, fixed his gaze on Dae-won. "Why are you laughing?" he asked, his voice carrying a tone of serious inquiry.

Dae-won's laughter continued, even as he tried to stifle it. "Oh, Tae-hyun," he said, still chuckling, "you should see yourself right now. It's like watching a cat try to act nonchalant while a mouse runs by."

Tae-hyun's brow furrowed slightly. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Well," Dae-won said with a smirk, "it seems you're a little green with envy. Not all attention is focused on you, Tae-hyun. You're not the only star of the show, you know."

Dae-won clapped him on the back with a hearty laugh seeing Tae-hyun frowned. "Oh, come on! Lighten up. A little humor goes a long way. Besides, if you can't handle the spotlight being shared, how are you going to handle it when it's my turn?"

After the playful jabs from Dae-won, Oh Tae-hyun's silence grew more pronounced. His expression was unreadable, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed Dae-won's words.

Dae-won, clearly enjoying the shift in dynamics, couldn't resist one last nudge. "You know, Tae-hyun, if you keep brooding like that, people might think you're auditioning for a role in a tragedy."

Tae-hyun's eyes flickered with irritation, but he said nothing, his silence louder than any retort he might have offered. The tension between them was palpable, a clear reminder of their long-standing rivalry.

Dae-won's grin didn't waver as he continued, "I mean, if you can't handle a little teasing, maybe you're not cut out for the spotlight. Or maybe you're just jealous that not all eyes are on you."

Tae-hyun's jaw tightened. He gave a curt nod, the gesture more of a dismissal than an acknowledgment.

"I have other matters to attend to," he said, his voice clipped and devoid of its usual warmth.

Without another word, Tae-hyun turned sharply on his heel and walked toward his guild members, who had been watching from a distance. His departure was swift and resolute, leaving no room for further conversation.

Dae-won watched him go, his smirk fading as he observed the shift in Tae-hyun's demeanor. "Well, that's one way to clear a room," he muttered under his breath.

As the event wound down, the Hamiltons and Alexander's family made their way to their waiting limousine. Outside, the air was electric with the buzz of reporters eager for one last scoop.

Kang Dae-won, having had his fill of the evening's drama, gave a loud, hearty laugh as he turned to his right-hand man. "let's get out of here! I've had enough of the spotlight"

His RIght hand and other members followed, chuckling at Dae-won's energetic demeanor. "Where are we headed next?"

Dae-won's eyes gleamed with excitement. "How about a dungeon raid? Nothing like a bit of adventure to shake things up! And we've got some members who could use a little more training. It's time to get them into shape!"

His right hand grinned. "Sounds like a blast. I'm sure they'll appreciate the chance to toughen up."

As the limousine doors closed behind Jonathan Hamilton and his family, the vehicle began to glide away from the crowd. Inside, Jonathan and Alexander's families were visibly relieved to escape the relentless barrage of questions from the press.

Outside, the reporters pressed in, shouting questions as the car slowly moved forward. "Mr. Hamilton! Any comments on the rumors about the rumors of Korean woman you're interested in?" one reporter called out, his voice barely audible over the commotion.

Jonathan and his family exchanged amused glances but chose to remain silent, their expressions carefully neutral. The tinted windows of the limousine provided a barrier against the persistent questions and flashing cameras.

The limousine glided smoothly through the illuminated streets of Seoul, Inside, Jonathan Hamilton and Alexander von Ford engaged in a lively conversation about their upcoming plans.

Jonathan broke the silence with a bright idea. "You know, instead of heading home right away, why don't we explore one of those dungeons rumored to have rare cores."

Alexander's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "That's perfect timing! Our guild is actually preparing to explore a new dungeon that appeared." S~eaʀᴄh the Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Jonathan's face lit up with interest and look at Alex and Alexa "Great! I'd love to join you. By the way, I heard that the curse affecting you and Alexa has been lifted. Is that true?"

Alexa, sitting next to Jonathan, nodded. "Yes, it's true. The curse was lifted thanks to the luminite crystal we found. It broke the curse and allowed us to return to normal."

Jonathan's eyes widened in astonishment. "The luminite crystal? That's extraordinary! Those crystals are incredibly rare and highly sought after. Their ability to break curses is legendary. It's not just a powerful artifact but also a tremendous find."

Alexander nodded, matching Jonathan's awe. "Absolutely. We were fortunate to acquire it."

Jonathan leaned in, clearly impressed. "You've got your hands on a real gem. The luminite crystal is rare and valuable, known for its extraordinary properties."