Talia crossed her arms in front of her chest slowly as she leaned back calmly. For a long mont, she simply studied Aria. Her brown eyes carried the authority of a woman who had led Runewoven through fire and ash.
They might’ve been on death’s door when Kaiden and co appeared, but for years, Runewoven was doing excellent on their own. Only the recent tragedies have tarnished their track record, and only because they got two back-to-back dungeons that had level limitations.
They had competent veterans, but they simply couldn’t enter the dungeons to clear them.
As Talia’s eyes bore into Aria, the silver-haired beauty did not look away. She held her gaze without flinching, even having a smile materialize on her lips as their wills clashed.
Finally, Talia’s voice broke the silence.
"Unlike Robert, I don’t find Kaiden’s request outlandish."
Robert, red-faced, shot up. "What?!"
Talia didn’t so much as blink at his outburst. She simply raised her chin and continued with steel in her tone.
"Whether we like it or not, Kaiden is a silent shareholder. He’s one of us now. Instead of doing our utmost to alienate him from the rest of us, we should be doing the opposite, which is helping him when we can."
She let that hang in the air for a mont before adding, "And after the little stunt that ChronosX CEO pulled, I’d say he left a very sour taste in my mouth. If you want the truth, I’m firmly on Kaiden’s side in this argunt, even if the points that man brought up are valid. The way he did so was unacceptable."
Robert seized on her words like a starving dog with a bone. "Exactly! A silent shareholder. That’s the arrangent. Kaiden is supposed to stay out of our affairs, silent! If Runewoven supports him publicly, then his involvent will no longer be secret!"
At that, both won turned their heads in perfect unison, their gazes locking onto him with such flat incredulity that he froze mid-sentence. The sight was almost comical: Robert collapsing back into his chair under the twin weight of Aria’s cool disdain and Talia’s dry patience.
"They just saved our butts, Robert," Talia deadpanned. Her voice was akin to a mother on the brink of exhaustion explaining the obvious to a particularly stubborn child.
Aria then added smoothly, "And besides, you don’t have to proclaim to the world that we own part of your guild. In fact, if you remain quiet, the world will automatically assu you stand with us out of gratitude. Gratitude for the fact that without us, Runewoven would be in deep trouble right now."
Her silver gaze swept the table, gliding from face to face, lingering only long enough to study their faces and understand their thoughts on the matter. These were not minor officers or errand-runners; they were the n and won powerful enough to hold seats at Runewoven’s table. Each of them was a millionaire, many with positions or connections to other guilds and even to the central governnt.
And one by one, as her gaze passed over them, none raised their voice in opposition.
"Does anyone wish to make another point?" she asked at last.
The silence that followed was loud. Even Robert, who only seconds before had been shouting at the top of his lungs, now sat rigid in his chair, lips pressed into a thin line.
It was Talia who broke the stillness. The guild leader’s arms remained folded, but her tone had softened. "When does Kaiden want to do it?"
Aria’s lips curved as mystery glimred in her eyes. "When the timing is right," she replied. "For now, we are lying in wait for the perfect mont."
Talia inclined her head, accepting that without further fuss. "Then I’ll be ready. Just say the word."
That was when Aria’s expression blood into sothing utterly breathtaking. "Thank you, Miss Talia." Her face lit up with a brilliant, genuine smile, and for an instant, the atmosphere in the chamber transford.
She was no longer rely the poised representative or the silver-tongued negotiator; she was a vision. Angelic, radiant, a woman whose beauty could silence even hardened veterans. Several shareholders blinked, visibly taken aback, struck dumb at how the silver-haired girl looked when she shed her mask of professionalism for even a single heartbeat.
Then the Moon Valkyrie gracefully rose to her feet, smoothing the hem of her elegant dress before speaking up again. "Then, I thank you all for taking the ti out of your busy schedules to attend. Your cooperation will not be forgotten."
With that, she turned and left with Riven in tow.
For a long mont, the room remained in silence, still echoing with her presence. Then one of the older shareholders exhaled sharply and muttered, "Haah... I’ve never been more jealous of another man in my life. I thought I was a lucky winner, but..."
Another let out a chuckle, shaking his head. "He’s a dragon, that one. Hoarding beauties like treasure."
"Has no one told him that sharing is caring? What an unpleasant guy."
That earned a few amused snorts, and then another man leaned back in his seat defeatedly and sighed. "I’ll have to forbid my wife from ever eting him."
The table turned as one, staring at him with dry, unimpressed looks that spoke volus. Their expressions all but said: Your wife isn’t nearly attractive enough to even register on Kaiden Grey’s radar.
The man groaned, sinking low in his chair with a second sigh. "I know, I know. I just don’t want her getting ideas after seeing that Playboy. She might begin talking about open relationships again."
That finally drew a ripple of low laughter through the chamber. The tension dissolved into banter as the group of influential n and won began cracking jokes.
But Talia, hearing the shift in tone, knew the eting had lost its purpose. She rose calmly. "If that’s all, I’ll be returning to the smithy."
Without another word, she departed, leaving her colleagues to their chatter and excitedly began making her way back to the only place where she felt at peace.
Kaiden and his girls didn’t know it yet, but the ti to go on the offensive would co much sooner than they expected!
How soon?
...
Tomorrow.
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