Catastrophe Card King

Chapter 782: Chapter 251 Daily Life Going to Black Gold City_3

“…”

Leonard Churchill listened in silence.

It seemed that all along the way, being a listener was all that was required.

Vera Williams continued, “Before, we needed the family’s funds and channels, and feared being suppressed by the large commerce guilds with their financial advantages, needing the family’s support for confidence. Now, with the discovery of the mithril mine, money is no longer a concern, and many issues can be resolved with it. In the future, my ‘Rose Chamber of Commerce’ won’t always have to beg for help from uncles and aunts…”

As she spoke these words, her eyes sparkled with the anticipation of a bright future.

These past few days, having discussed many business plans with Leonard, she felt as though there were thousands of ideas in her chest waiting to be tried out.

She could even imagine, step by step, that she would inevitably own a vast business empire in the future.

But all this seemed to have started with those few letters.

What a marvelous fate.

Suddenly thinking of something, Vera turned her head to look at Leonard and said earnestly, “Thank you. Mr. Leonard Churchill, you’ve really helped me so much…”

“…”

Leonard’s lips slightly curved up, completely unconcerned.

That serious air in the car lasted only for a second, as Vera broke it with a chuckle, dispelling the unnecessary alienation.

Her eyes curved, those clear pupils seemingly mesmerizing, and she half-jokingly half-seriously asked, “You’ve saved my life and helped me so much, how shall I thank you?”

Leonard needed no thanks; their meeting was already the best arrangement by fate, and he casually responded, “Then… treat me to a visit to the opera or a ballet performance.”

Vera pursed her lips with a smile and readily agreed, “Alright!”

…

The steam car sped through Black Gold City.

The air was thick with the pungent smell of coal smoke, the scent of the steam industry.

On the outskirts of the city were various machinery towns used for mining; they were like diligent ground squirrels, mining ores from all directions and transporting them back to Black Gold.

High-rise buildings stood tall in the inner city.

This was a prosperous mining city, with bustling crowds on the streets and dazzling shops of all sorts.

Even a hundred years ago, this city was far more bustling than Sinless City, the only large city Leonard had ever seen.

On the streets, steam cars converged into streams, occasionally causing traffic jams.

The design of the cars may have been a bit retro, but technically, they were not much different from those a hundred years later.

Even the styles were similar.

Leonard used to frequent Sinless City to buy mechanical equipment and would occasionally see many antiques discarded from the rich ore layers.

And now, those antiques were right before his eyes.

Leonard gazed at the street scenes outside the window, suddenly feeling a very real sense of stepping into the river of history.

He distinctly felt that he was being rejected by some force.

“The Time Rule, huh…”

Leonard murmured to himself.

Only understanding a little made him all the more aware of the profound and indescribable nature of the Time Rule.

Before long,

The steam car stopped in front of a luxurious manor.

The Song Family, the first family of Black Gold City, though lacking the title of high-ranking nobility, were nonetheless the actual lords of the land.

This vast manor was the Song Family’s headquarters.

The car had barely stopped when Leonard already saw a multitude of greeters at the manor entrance, ten times more than at the train station.

From their attire, it was clear they were either rich or noble.

Yet, they had chosen to come to receive Vera, a junior member of the Song Family, which was an outstandingly unusual occurrence.

The butler opened the car door.

Leonard disliked such commotion and had intended to keep a low profile in front of others.

However, Vera boldly took hold of his arm, saying, “Come on, I’ll take you to meet the family elders.”

Leonard, with no choice but to comply, followed her out of the car.

As soon as they emerged, they immediately received the scrutiny of countless gazes.

They looked at Vera as if seeing a gold mine, their faces beaming with joy.

But when they saw Leonard by her side, their expressions soured.

The women whispered and talked among themselves,

“Who’s that young man with Vera? He looks so unfamiliar.”

“I heard from the returning people that he’s a Secret Guard named ‘Sunny’, arranged by the old master. He helped out a bit in Bolton Town, made some waves.”

“Oh, just a guard. I thought he was some significant young master, to be worthy of walking beside our Vera. Really can’t recognize his own station.”

“I heard the old master saying that the girl got lucky and found some mithril mine, and the family is arranging manpower to mine it. The way it looks, it seems the deposit is quite substantial…”

“That girl is really lucky. Just fumbling around with some Rose Business and it actually worked out, even finding a mithril mine. Oh, if fate were so kind to me, I would have made a fortune by now.”

“Be careful though; now outsiders are eyeing her, lots of people have designs… I’ve heard quite a few top noble families have shown interest.”

“…”

Leonard’s hearing and perception were exceedingly sharp.

These gossiping women did not seem to care if he overheard, speaking without concealment.

It wasn’t just the middle-aged ones; the looks from the younger individuals also bore naked envy, malice, and disdain.

If venomous stares were arrows, Leonard felt that in walking this path, he had already been shot through and through.

Vera astutely sensed something and softly apologized, “Sorry…”

Then, she wrapped her arm around Leonard’s, apparently trying to demonstrate her protection towards her friend in this way without needing the side comments from others.

Leonard himself didn’t mind these things, but seeing her gesture, he also offered a slight smile.