Chapter 74: Twenty Thousand Dollars to Mind His Business (Castle Bonus)

[Option 2: Ignore Lyris while you are at the Party]

[Reward: $20,000]

[Payment will be issued in advance. Deliberately engaging with Lyris before the party ends will revoke the reward.]

[Option 2: Start a conversation with Lyris.]

[Reward: Conversation Starter Cards (Common).]

Nero noticed Lyris watching him from across the table but didn’t turn to meet her eyes.

There wasn’t much to consider.

She had told him that she no longer wanted him involved in her life. He remembered that conversation perfectly well and had no intention of chasing after her again.

He selected the first option.

[Advance Payment Received: $20,000.]

’Getting paid to mind my own business? Now that’s a nice change.’

For a moment, Nero wondered how Lyris had received an invitation to this gathering. Her family was comfortable, but they weren’t on the same level as the influential families gathered in the hall.

Then he remembered who was sitting beside her.

Richard had brought his girlfriend. There was nothing strange about that, and Nero had no reason to keep thinking about it.

He knew this was the system’s way to prevent any interaction between him and Lyris. He was already past her. There was no need to go back.

He took out his phone and opened a short video. Mira leaned closer to watch while the others continued talking.

"Richard, should we move to another table?"

Richard looked at Lyris in confusion.

"Why? Our friends are here."

"I know. I just thought we could find somewhere with a little more space."

Peter and Damian’s chairs were still empty, so there was already plenty of room.

Nero continued watching his phone as a small dog tried climbing onto a sofa. Mira seemed particularly interested in whether it would succeed.

Serina looked between him and Lyris before smiling.

"What happened, Miss Lyris? Did someone at this table make you uncomfortable?"

Nero’s lips twitched.

’This woman really can’t keep her mouth shut when there’s trouble around.’

"No, nothing like that," Lyris replied. "I just wanted to spend more time with Richard."

"Oh, right. I forgot you two might want some time alone."

Serina sounded genuinely apologetic, although Nero didn’t believe her for a second.

Richard rose with a smile.

"Then we’ll leave you all to enjoy yourselves. I’ll catch up with you later."

He offered Lyris his hand before turning toward Nero.

"Oh, and Nero. I wanted to apologize for the attack during my awakening."

Nero put down his phone to answer.

"Don’t worry about it. Lilly stopped it before it reached me."

"I know, but it still could’ve hurt you. I’m sorry."

"It’s fine. You weren’t doing it on purpose."

Richard seemed relieved by his answer and thanked Lilly as well before leaving with Lyris.

However, as they walked away, Lyris couldn’t help glancing back.

Nero had already returned to watching the video with Mira. He hadn’t watched them leave or made any attempt to catch her attention.

For some reason, that bothered her more than she wanted to admit.

He used to notice her the moment she entered a room. At Richard’s birthday party, Nero had been so aware of her presence that she could hardly move without him noticing.

Yet tonight, he hadn’t looked at her even once.

’Why isn’t he looking at me?’

Richard pulled out a chair for her at another table, and Lyris thanked him before sitting down. She tried to concentrate on their conversation instead of checking whether Nero had noticed where they went.

Unfortunately for her, Jasmine caught her glancing back.

’What’s her problem?’

Lyris had chosen Richard and told Nero to stay away. Now she seemed unhappy because he wasn’t paying attention to her?

Jasmine looked toward Nero and sighed.

’That guy really has become a magnet for troublesome women.’

Meanwhile, at the front of the hall, Drake rose alongside the governor and General William.

Nero put his phone away as the conversations around them gradually faded.

William glanced toward their table again, his attention moving from Serina to Nero before returning to Drake.

’I hope he didn’t notice Serina winking at me earlier.’

Nero really didn’t want to deal with an overprotective father tonight.

"Thank you all for coming," Drake began. "It’s wonderful to stand here and welcome everyone in person again."

The room quieted as he continued.

"My recovery wasn’t something I could’ve managed alone. I’m grateful to everyone who supported me, especially the man who finally helped me overcome the corruption."

Nero listened without changing his expression.

"Unfortunately, he couldn’t join us tonight, but I’ll never forget what he did for me."

’Thank God.’

The old man was keeping his promise.

Nero only hoped Drake wouldn’t start describing his mysterious savior as some handsome young immortal. Considering their shared reading habits, that was a genuine concern.

Fortunately, Drake invited the governor to speak before Nero could worry any further.

"Mr. Windsor has earned the respect of this city many times over," the governor said. "His expeditions and the safety procedures developed by his teams continue to protect those working with dangerous Gate materials."

Several guests nodded in agreement.

"Many of our researchers and expedition leaders owe part of their training to his work. We’re all grateful to see him healthy again."

Nero glanced toward the elderly researchers seated near the front.

He was beginning to understand just how important Drake really was. The old man had helped develop procedures that continued to protect people even years after his retirement.

However, the governor’s next words caught his attention.

"There’s another matter I hope everyone here will take seriously. Reports of Deviant activity have increased, including incidents affecting businesses represented in this room."

Nero immediately remembered the two men who had cornered Yuna that afternoon.

He hadn’t even needed to look for them. He had simply been leaving the university when he heard the commotion.

General William addressed the room next.

"More Deviants have also been entering Gates. The military cannot accompany every expedition, so your teams must remain alert."

The mood around the tables grew serious.

"If you encounter Deviants, deal with the threat before they endanger others. Report the incident and share any useful information rather than assuming someone else will handle it."

Several guests began asking questions about precautions their organizations could take.

Nero listened with interest.

’Miss Lilia was right about these parties.’

The food and expensive clothes were only part of what brought everyone together. Some of the information shared and the people here could actually be a gateway to making connections.

Eventually, Drake raised his glass.

"Alright, I think we’ve given everyone enough reasons to worry for one evening. I’d like to celebrate my recovery before the food gets cold!"

Several guests laughed and raised their glasses.

"To good health and better days ahead!"

Nero joined the toast while Mira carefully lifted her glass of juice beside him.

The staff began serving dinner, and conversation gradually returned to the tables.

Lilly moved a dish closer when Mira couldn’t reach it, while Lucas enthusiastically explained which desserts she should try first.

Nero found himself enjoying the evening more than he had expected.

He chatted with his friends and helped Mira with the unfamiliar dishes. Even Serina’s teasing became easier to handle once he stopped reacting with embarrassment every time she smiled at him.

As the evening continued, the first guests gradually began leaving.

Lyris remained beside Richard, but her attention kept returning to Nero’s table whenever laughter came from that direction.

He never once looked across the room.

In the end, Lyris sighed. Why was she so obsessed with him? Was it because she was his childhood friend?

She didn’t know.

[A/N: Thank you for the PS and GT till now.]