Looking at the ti, it was already early morning, Lin Miao originally planned to wait until daylight tomorrow to make a decision.
Unexpectedly, the target mission ca knocking on the door.
Knock knock knock...
The door was knocked.
Unforeseen, it was Gloria outside the door, still wearing that yellow company jacket. Lin Miao invited her in, and the two sat on the sofa. Gloria once again thanked Lin Miao.
"Mr. Lin, I’ve heard from David about today’s events. Really, this child’s matters have troubled you again."
This ti, Lin Miao didn’t pour her a drink but rather a glass of purified water. After all, late at night, being drunk makes things hard to explain. Deepening the relationship without adequate ntal preparation on either side would only make matters worse.
"It’s just a small matter between adults and the kid having a heart-to-heart. David has high talents that shouldn’t be wasted on aningless things."
Gloria held the water cup in her hand without drinking and solemnly said,
"No, this matter is very important to . David’s admiration for those rcenary lone wolves truly scares . In my rescue work at REO, almost every day I have to treat or collect bodies of these lone wolves or gang mbers. So are around David’s age, yet I have to dismantle their cybernetic bodies. Many kids die without ever seeing their parents again...."
"Back then... haha... I was pregnant with David for 277 days, going to work with a big belly as usual. In that ergency rescue, I connected a gang mber’s severed arm, but just then, my water broke, ending with on a stretcher giving birth to David, that gang thug used a mantis blade to cut the umbilical cord for ....."
"I am really scared, scared that one day on an ambulance I’ll see David again, lying bloody on a folding stretcher. Ensuring this child studies well, has a prosperous life in the company, and makes a na for himself in the future is my greatest hope to keep living, no matter how hard or tired I am willing to endure...."
Gloria seed quite pitiable, even with a choking tone in her speech, tears swirling in her eyes. Her son born on a cheap ambulance yet she absolutely doesn’t want her son to die on the stretcher of one.
Indeed, she was telling the truth, but Lin Miao, even buying a bottle of water on the street, could encounter a hundred families with poor and struggling backgrounds, everyone has their own difficulties.
Night City doesn’t believe in tears, nor does Lin Miao.
It’s only because Gloria ntioned these trivial family matters before him that he could endure it, switch to soone he didn’t know, and they would have been kicked out.
Gloria picked up the water cup and took a sip. The clear transparent liquid entered her mouth as she was amazed.
Because this wasn’t filtered water drawn from the tap or a transparent beverage, it lacked any tallic taste or strange odor. The taste enhanced by added ice cubes was refreshing and clean, making her suspect it was the true water they say on television costs 99 euros a gallon.
She hadn’t drank it, but felt it should be about right.
aning this cup of water alone exceeded 4 euros.
Right, Night City’s clean ice cubes were sold individually, 25 euros for 16 pieces.
This elevated Gloria’s perception of Lin Miao’s financial prowess.
She put down the water cup, wiped her tears, and slowly raised her head to look at Lin Miao, this man of unknown origin but definitely formidable, even Mann’s evaluation of him was extraordinarily high.
After taking a deep breath, Gloria gathered courage and asked.
"Mr. Lin.... David told you want to work for you, can you elaborate?"
"Yes." Lin Miao drained the remaining water from his cup and leaned back on the sofa, speaking very relaxedly. "I’ll give you three options, it’s up to you to decide."
"First, we continue as we are; I pay you for cybernetic purchases, with no other connections, but how long this status can be maintained is uncertain."
Gloria was rely a grassroots rescue worker at REO; barring coincidence, the best cybernetics she could procure, at best, were market-level, barely reaching tens of thousands, with maybe one opportunity a year. Most situations kept her in the two to three thousand range, seeing business twice a month was considered good.
aning such a relationship couldn’t be sustained for long before Lin Miao no longer needed her help.
This, Gloria understood as well; with Lin Miao’s expanding influence in Night City, she soon wouldn’t be able to keep up.
"What about the other two?"
"The second, you continue working at REO company. I will ensure you ascend rapidly within this dical company, making all roads smooth, eliminating all competitors, elevating you to the top, even helping you contend against Trauma Team and Biotech. However, you must stand publicly for my business in the na of the entire company and support wholeheartedly without any hesitation."
"Otherwise, as you rise, I will bring you down."
Although REO was small, its longstanding history added considerable utilization value.
The nearly threatening tone surprisingly assured Gloria; threats sotis imply safety.
As long as she didn’t act against Lin Miao’s interests, she was absolutely safe.
Seeing Gloria remain silent, Lin Miao presented the last option.
"Third, I’m planning to establish a company in Night City in the future, but I don’t intend to step into the forefront anyti soon, so I’m looking for an agent to manage the company. If you wish, you can resign from REO and work for ."
"I can imdiately buy you a platinum mbership with Trauma Team annually, start at a 50K annual salary, and upon company establishnt, you’ll have your own office in Night City, even a security team."
Lin Miao spread his hands.
"How, what will you choose?"
Gloria was silent, not answering imdiately. Lin Miao looked at her, sensing that David’s mother indeed harbored her own ambitions; otherwise, she wouldn’t have nurtured such an exceptional son like David, hoping he would climb to the top of Huang Ban.
Desires exist in everyone, but few achieve them.
She believed her son had the capability; what about herself?
"Mr. Lin...." Gloria squeezed the cup in her hand tightly, organizing her scrambled thoughts, grit her teeth, seemingly determined internally, gulping down the water and ice cubes in the cup, the cold ice cubes and water stimulating her throat and stomach, making her consciousness extrely clear.
She had to muster all the courage she’d had since birth to answer this question.
"Can I choose a fourth path?"
"Oh?" Lin Miao suddenly beca interested, noticing so transformation seed to arise in this woman, seeing desires in her eyes.
"Willing to hear more."
"I want to climb to the highest level of REO and then use the exterior of REO, this ergency dical company, to expand the business you need, becoming the agent for your company."
"A surprising reply."
Lin Miao had to admit, he sowhat liked this seemingly plain woman from a few minutes ago; even he hadn’t thought of this path.
She was quite greedy, but he didn’t dislike such greedy individuals; he pulled out a chip from his pocket.
"But I like your plan, this is our company’s employee contract; as long as you sign it, what you want won’t be a problem."
"But I must remind you, the employnt contract is lifeti, signing it ans no room for regret, no matter if it’s a mountain of knives or a sea of fire in front; regardless of obstacles, you must follow my lead."
"Betrayal equals death."
He pushed the chip towards the REO grassroots employee.
"Make your decision now, Gloria Martinez."
"Agree or refuse."
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