Chapter 570 - 570: 570. Daily life in Starlight City

Wynne stood by the French window, gazing out at the bustling streets of Golden City. When the call from Giovanni came through, his eyes glinted, and he let out a low, ambiguous laugh.

"Boss Giovanni, how is it? Are you satisfied with the gift I sent?"

"Wynne, I've told you before, I don't like gifts like this." Jacob's voice was stern, carrying the weight of authority. "Let them go, and don't make things difficult for them."

"Boss Giovanni..." At Jacob's words, Wynne's tone turned deferential, though privately he thought that Giovanni must simply have a taste for beauty he didn't want to admit to. "I spent a great deal of money to get them. Are you really going to let them go, just like that?"

His tone shifted smoothly. "Of course, if you tell me to release them, I will. It would only mean losing a bit of money, nothing more."

"It's only... Boss Giovanni, they know who you are, and they know who I am. If they make it back to China, it could cause no end of trouble." On the other end of the line, Wynne arranged his features into a look of feigned concern, though a faint smile still touched his lips. "One of them is something of an internet celebrity. If she posts about this online, it would be a real headache."

"To be safe, if you truly have no interest in them, then I suppose I'll have no choice but to deal with them myself. Don't worry, though—I'll see that they're well fed and comfortable until then. And if you ever change your mind, they'll be ready whenever you like."

The corner of Wynne's mouth curved upward. He had placed the decision squarely in Giovanni's hands, and he was curious to see which way the man would choose. Would he have them killed, or would he keep them? The choice belonged to Giovanni now.

"Honestly, Boss Giovanni, they're only two women. Everyone needs to unwind now and then..."

Jacob understood exactly what Wynne was doing—cornering him, engineering a situation that left him no clean way out, all so he could deliver two more captives to Jacob's door.

He drew a slow breath and let his gaze settle on the two women across the room. They huddled in the corner like lambs led to slaughter, trembling, watching him with helpless, pleading eyes, too afraid to speak.

Jacob held the phone to his ear. "Wynne, you're a clever man. Clever enough to arrange things so I have no reason to refuse. But I don't care for being led around by the nose. Between clever people and obedient ones, I'll take obedience every time."

"Don't waste that kind of scheming on me again."

"Of course, of course." Wynne's voice turned instantly humble. "There won't be a next time, I promise. But, Boss Giovanni... what should be done with these two? I'll need a clear answer from you."

Jacob felt the beginnings of a headache. If he sent the women home, they might report everything to the Pokémon Association back in China, or even to the one here in Siam—either way, it would mean nothing but trouble.

"Boss Giovanni, if you truly want nothing to do with them, I'll take care of it myself. But if you'd rather keep them, I'll make sure they're treated well. Just say the word, and it will be done."

Jacob's eyes narrowed slightly. Wynne really had handed him an impossible problem. Power—and the strength to wield it—was a captivating and terrible thing. Two young women, two lives, reduced in Wynne's eyes to nothing more than gifts meant to please him. And Jacob needed only speak a single word to decide their fate.

Power was always so seductive.

"Let them stay," Jacob said at last.

Wynne smiled. "Enjoy them, then."

The call ended, and Jacob turned his attention to the two women. "You'll both stay tonight. But you'll sleep outside my room."

They stared at "Giovanni" in disbelief, unable to reconcile this decision with the reputation of the man rumored to be one of the most dangerous criminals alive.

"What are your names?" Jacob asked, frowning.

"Jessa."

"Alishia."

"Fine. You can go now." Jacob waved a hand, impatience creeping into his voice. If it weren't for Nina, Raya, and Julia, he might have long since stopped bothering to pretend at ordinary human decency. As it was, he had more than enough to worry about already.

But neither woman moved. They lingered, watching him, their faces flushed, clearly unwilling to leave.

"Boss... Giovanni. We have to stay with you. Otherwise..."

"Do you take your orders from me, or from him?" Jacob asked.

"Please... save us."

The following day, matters in Siam were finally settled, and Jacob set out at once for home. The year was drawing to a close, with barely a week left before the New Year.

He stopped first in Magic City to see Raya, whom he hadn't visited in far too long. She lit up with surprise at his sudden arrival—pregnancy seemed to have softened her, made her gentler and more affectionate than before. Naturally, she also took the chance to warn him against taking unnecessary risks.

She hadn't forgotten his earlier dealings with Meyer, and just thinking of them made her heart clench with worry.

After spending two days with her, Jacob set off again, this time for Starlight City. Last year, caught up in training, he'd missed the New Year at home entirely, so this year there was no question of staying away.

He'd hoped to bring Nina along, but Maximus had already arranged for her to spend the holiday in Magic City instead. As for Julia, Raya had planned her route in advance, sending her straight to Treasure Island to avoid any chance meeting between them. Sylvia and Lucia, meanwhile, would both remain at the villa in the Imperial Capital, celebrating the New Year together.

Returning to Starlight City, the place he'd called home for more than a decade, filled Jacob with an easy comfort—especially once he was back in his own small bedroom, sleeping soundly through the night.

For once, he felt like nothing more than a first-year university student home for winter break. Not Dr. Jacob. Not Giovanni.

"Jacob!"

His father's voice rang out, along with a knock at the door.

"Coming, Dad." Jacob shuffled out in his pajamas, hair sticking up in every direction like an untidy nest.

"Day after tomorrow, you're coming with me to the Gym and the secret realm." His father frowned at the sight of him. "Get a haircut before then, and clean yourself up a little."

"Is it something important?" Jacob asked through a yawn.

"You're hardly ever back in Starlight City. I've had calls from half the city asking for you." Rory sounded thoroughly worn out. "I turned down everything I could—mall openings, hotpot restaurant ribbon-cuttings, all of it. But some things can't be pushed aside."

"Day after tomorrow morning, you'll appear at the Gym and give a short speech, mostly to encourage the students. Start writing something today. In the afternoon, you'll visit the secret realm and talk with the trainees about your experiences. Then in the evening, there's an exhibition match at the Gym."

Jacob rubbed his temples at the thought of the packed schedule. "Can I skip it?"

"No. I'm the Gym Leader of Starlight City—are you really going to make your old man lose face in front of everyone?"

"Fine, fine, I'll go." Jacob could turn down almost anyone else, but never his own father. "But, Dad, could you at least help me write the speech?"

"Write it for you? Cheeky brat—next you'll want me driving you around and waiting on you hand and foot!"