Chapter 108: Seed Planted

Anderson nodded, grateful and a little overwhelmed by the lingering effects of the tea.The initial scepticism he had felt towards Noah, was beginning to dissolve, replaced by a sense of deep appreciation.

He had never experienced anything quite like this tea—something so powerful yet so subtle.

Noah observed the subtle shift in Anderson’s demeanour, watching as the tension drained from the man’s face. To most, it would seem like a simple moment of gratitude, but Noah could see the signs.

He could see Anderson’s walls slowly starting to crumble.

With a warm, seemingly innocent smile, Noah spoke softly, "Since you liked it, and I appreciate all the effort you put into handling my delivery, I’d like to gift you some of the tea."

Anderson blinked, a flash of surprise passing through his eyes. A gift? This wasn’t just any tea, and Anderson knew it.

He hesitated, unsure if he should accept it.

Logic told him to refuse—He felt that this was almost bribery.

"No... This is the reward I deserve for putting so much work into protecting his goods." He thought

The memory of how the tea had made him feel—alive again—was hard to ignore which made him stop hesitating.

Noah watched the internal struggle play out across Anderson’s face.

He didn’t press, nor did he push.

He simply waited, the faint smile still on his lips.

He didn’t need to say more. The seed had already been planted.

Whether Anderson would accept or not was no longer important. It was only a matter of time.

After what seemed like a long pause, Anderson finally nodded.

"Thank you, for such a generous gift."

Noah’s smile widened, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He had expected this outcome.

"Then I will be right back after I get it," he said smoothly, excusing himself as he moved to another room.

Out of Anderson’s sight, Noah opened his system interface, quickly purchasing 100g of the magical tea for $10.

It arrived neatly packaged in luxurious wrapping.

When he returned, he handed Anderson the tea, presenting it like an artefact of great value.

"Here you go," Noah said casually, though the subtext was clear.

This wasn’t just tea. It was something far beyond what Anderson could ever imagine possessing.

To Anderson, the tea felt like a rare gem—precious, elusive, and out of reach for most.

Little did he know, the very tea he was cradling with such care would soon become the most sought-after and widespread tea in the world.

Anderson accepted the package carefully, his hands tightening around it as though he were holding a treasure.

He had no idea that what seemed like an exclusive limited edition personal gift today, would soon be an item others would be drinking daily.

The elegant packaging, the design—it all confirmed what Anderson already knew.

This was no ordinary gift.

Noah gently tapped Anderson’s shoulder as he handed over the tea. "Keep up the good work, Anderson," he said, his tone light but carrying weight.

Anderson flinched slightly at the tap, not out of discomfort, but because it triggered something deep within him.

The gesture was simple, but it felt familiar. It took him back to his days in the military, where a pat on the back from a superior meant more than just acknowledgement.

It was a reinforcement of loyalty, a reward for dedication.

The tea, the tap on the shoulder, the subtle recognition of Anderson’s efforts—it all combined into a complex web.

Anderson, though a seasoned soldier, felt a tug. Years of training had conditioned him to recognize manipulation, but Noah’s approach was different.

It wasn’t aggressive or overt. There was no command, no force. It was gentle, insidious—like a suggestion that was almost too soft to refuse.

Anderson felt Noah’s acknowledgement, the weight of the tea in his hands, and though part of him wanted to resist, another part—deeper, buried beneath years of conditioning—was drawn in.

"Thank you, sir," Anderson said again, his voice a bit more respectful now.

He was still processing the effects of the tea, both physically and mentally, but he maintained his composure, trying not to let the subtle shift in his mindset show.

Noah studied Anderson with calm, measured eyes.

"You’ve impressed me, Anderson," he said, his tone carrying just the right amount of warmth. "And I know you’ll continue to impress me."

The words hit Anderson harder than he expected. He hadn’t felt this kind of recognition in years. Since leaving the military, his work had been important but unrecognized, unnoticed. Noah was the first person in a long time to make him feel important, to make him feel like his efforts mattered.

He wasn’t quite there yet, but Noah could already see the signs of what was to come.

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It’s like planting a seed, and Noah knew exactly how to make it grow.

As Anderson prepared to leave, Noah added, in an almost casual tone, "If you ever need more of that tea, just let me know. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of."

Anderson hesitated, the weight of the offer clear. His mind was already considering the benefits of it.

After a brief pause, he nodded, clutching the tea a bit tighter. "I’ll keep that in mind, sir. Thank you."

Noah watched as Anderson left the room, a faint smile curling at the edge of his lips.

Anderson was different from the others. He was sharp and disciplined.

Pushing him too hard or too fast would raise his guard and suspicions.

"I have time... I don’t need him anytime soon anyway." He muttered under his breath.

He would be patient, and methodical. Every small action he took would lead Anderson deeper into the web, and before long, he would be Noah’s to command.

As Noah leaned back in his chair, satisfied with the day’s work, his thoughts drifted to the future.

People were never controlled by brute force. They were controlled by their own desires and their own needs.

He glanced at the elegant packaging of the tea and smiled to himself.

"The one who can’t control his desires… cannot control his own mind."