CHAPTER 45: DEAL

It was hard to read Harley’s thoughts because she was a mastermind of these things. She just had a mischievous smile on her face, telling him that he could trust her...

’Like hell I’m doing that,’ Max shook his head and asked...again, "What do you want from me?"

"Ah! I still haven’t managed to convince you?" Harley looked pretty sad as she leaned forward, her boobs doing their jiggle physics.

"Am I not beautiful enough for you? So many men would die to get my offer, you know," Harley asked with sparkling innocent eyes.

[Damn vixen!]

’I know,’ Max took a deep breath to calm down his pounding heart and said, gritting his teeth, "I don’t want to die, Miss Harley."

A dangerous glint passed through her eyes as she stopped smiling and said, "Fine, then! It’s a pity that you can’t be my puppet, but that’s also interesting, so I’ll let it slide."

She straightened her back and continued, "What I want from you is your potential and your power. We can make a fair trade in which I will provide you resources, safety, and even my personal guidance. In exchange, you will help me grow my fame and influence."

"Do I need to swear an oath because I’m not doing it," Max rejected flatly even though he was tempted to agree. "If it were anyone else, I might have considered it, but not against you."

"You don’t need to do all that. I am putting my trust in you because you have impressed me... slightly," Harley smiled and said. "All this time, your eyes were trying to vigorously ogle my body but you still managed to keep yourself in control and managed to make a rational decision."

’Like hell you’ll be impressed by that,’ Max wanted to refute but stayed silent.

"Here’s your CID. Your ID card and the money are in it," Harley said, taking out a dark blue wristband from her dress’s pockets.

"You knew I would come here to ask for an ID..." Max smiled wryly upon hearing that.

"I like to do things quickly," Harley said. "You can stay here as well if you want, if you agree to my proposal."

"Miss Harley, you speak as if I have any other option."

"That’s beside the point and I also want to make this consensual," Harley winked at him and said. "Come on, Sweetie. Big Sister is waiting for your answer."

[Don’t you dare call her Big Sis!]

Before Max could say anything, Kafka warned him, making him speechless. He wanted to tease her about her jealousy but ignored it for now.

"I am a very grateful person, so if you help me, I will surely do my best to repay you," Max smiled and said in a genuine tone.

It wasn’t a lie, after all. He had always been a person who returned the things he received from others, whether it was kindness, help, or hate...

Harley seemed to recognise the truth in his words and, for once, a genuine sweet smile formed on her cherry-red lips.

"Good! I have already connected our CID, so you can just call or message me if you want something," Harley said. "And I’m assuming you want to be low-key for a while because of the Shamal Clan drama?"

"Yeah, I will dive in the Labyrinth soon anyway, so there is no point in uselessly increasing my fame," Max chuckled softly.

"Alright! I’ll help you with that, but because of it, our partnership will be a secret as well," Harley tilted her sideways and asked. "On second thoughts, why don’t I deal with the Shamal Clan for you to show my goodwill?"

"You mean by affecting their economy?" Max asked, guessing her thoughts.

"Bingo! I want you to be strong so I will never help you get rid of your enemies; the most I’ll do is keep the stronger ones busy," Harley exclaimed, pointing her fingers at him.

Max nodded, stood up, and bowed, "Thank you for all of this. I know you have some ulterior motives, but it doesn’t matter because you are helping me."

"Go on, kiddo. Just get your potential to full use and we’ll see how truly grateful you say," Harley smirked. "And before you leave, do not hesitate to ask me for anything you want. We are in a fair partnership and I always take them seriously."

"Ah! That reminded me. I need some armour and potions," Max remembered his goals and sighed.

"I thought you would need those, so I already packed everything in your CID. There are some other helpful things too so you might need them," Harley said, as she stood up.

She came over to Max, who stood at the same height as her and ruffled his black hair with affection, "Do your best!"

"I will!" Max smiled at her and then left the room, leaving her all alone.

All of a sudden, the shadows in the room grew darker as a dark figure appeared behind Harley. She didn’t seem surprised by that and ignored the figure.

"Young Miss, I’m still confused," a feminine voice sounded from the figure.

"Then kill those doubts and don’t disturb me, Arya," Harley sighed and slumped on the sofa.

Her hand found the chain locket she was wearing and clutched it tightly, as she muttered, "It’s just like you said... he really is the future of this world!"

"Does he really have that much potential, Young Miss? I didn’t see much aside from his poor acting of trying to fool you," Arya said as she went to stand behind Harley.

"It’s because you can’t see his heart. That’s where everything lies," Harley spoke, still clutching the chain locket tightly. "You should go and keep an eye on him. Don’t interfere unless he’s almost dead. Actually, even if he died, don’t act because you will be carrying the Revive Talisman with you."

Arya’s eyes widened behind her mask upon hearing that. For a moment, she wondered if she had heard wrong, but looking at Harley’s expression, she knew it was all truth.

Arya had been Harley’s bodyguard since she had begun her training and knew her well enough. But even in her whole career as a bodyguard, she had hardly noticed such a look on Harley’s face.

’What is it about that boy that brings out Young Miss’s caring side? I’ll need to look into him!’