CHAPTER 506: GUILDMASTER’S CONCERN

The meeting came to a close, with Kairo and Heiren finishing signing their contracts.

Mr. Covez looked satisfied with the proceedings, stacking the signed documents neatly on his desk with a twinkle in his eyes as he proceeded to lace his fingers together.

"Excellent." He said, the corners of his mouth turning up in a small smile. "Everything seems to be in order."

He sat upright from his chair, gesturing to Kairo and Heiren to do the same. "I’ll have these contracts to be filed, but in the meantime.. You’re both free to go."

"Thank you, sir." Kairo spoke up, a genuine look of gratitude crossing his features.

"It was my pleasure." Mr. Covez hummed out before he turned to Coco, his expression serious yet kind. "However, I’m afraid I need to speak with you privately for a few minutes, Coco."

Coco’s heart skipped a beat as she heard his words, her mind running through a million possibilities as to what Mr. Covez could possibly want to discuss with her in private.

She glanced over at Heiren and Kairo, who looked just as curious, then back at Mr. Covez, nodding in compliance.

Heiren and Kairo stood up, Heiren nodding respectfully to Mr. Covez.

"We’ll be going then." Heiren said as they turned to leave, his tone respectful. "We’ll wait for Coco by the lobby so please don’t mind us and take your time."

Mr. Covez nodded, his gaze flickering over to Coco. "Of course. You may go now."

Once again, Heiren and Kairo lowered their heads before they exited the room, the door closing behind them with a soft click.

Coco could hear the sound of their footsteps receding down the hall as they made their way to the lobby, leaving her alone with Mr. Covez in his office.

The room was quiet now, the only sound was the soft hum of the lights above them.

Coco felt a sudden pang of nervousness, her stomach knotting slightly as she shifted awkwardly in her seat, unsure of what Mr. Covez wanted to talk about one on one.

Mr. Covez cleared his throat, breaking the heavy silence in the room.

He looked at Coco, his expression remaining stern, but respectful. "Your husband mentioned that he’d like to clock out at the same time as you, but you typically stay later in the evening."

"That’s right.." Coco mumbled, blinking.

Mr. Covez let out a sigh. "And that’s part of the problem, Coco. The quota isn’t that difficult to complete, and yet you stay late every night."

He paused for a moment, looking at Coco with concern and annoyance. "Are you overworking yourself, Mrs. Hughes? The working hours for hunters are just eight hours so if you come in at six in the morning, then you would have to leave before six in the evening."

Coco frowned, feeling a bit upset at the implication. "Me? Overworking? Absolutely not, sir."

She tried to sound casual, but she was a little defensive because the truth was, Coco did have a tendency to overwork herself, pushing through late nights and long hours to distract herself from her thoughts, but she didn’t like to admit it, especially not to her superior.

Mr. Covez shook his head, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Then, tell me why. If you’re not staying late for work, why are you staying late?"

Coco opened her mouth to respond, but the words died on her tongue.

Coco cleared her throat and quickly regained her composure as she plastered on a bright smile. "Because I love to earn money, sir! There’s nothing better than money, right?"

She silently cursed herself for her lack of a better response.

She didn’t know that her way to distract herself by pushing herself to kill monsters because of the mediators’ quests being completed a few days ago would have this kind of consequence— especially not with Heiren telling this to the guildmaster.

Mr. Covez’s gaze lingered on Coco for a moment, studying her expression.

He could sense that she was hiding something, that there was more to her late nights than simply loving money, but he nodded, deciding to let it go for now.

"It’s fine, Coco." He said, his voice softening slightly. "I understand if you don’t want to discuss the matter, but do try to limit your late nights."

Coco perked up and blinked in surprise.

"Balance is important, you know? Keep your husbands’ health if you don’t want to think about yourself." The guildmaster stated, chuckling.

Then, Mr. Covez added in a lighthearted tone, "Your husband is worried and when he asked me if I was the reason why you’re staying late, he had this scary look on his face... From that alone, I already know I don’t want to cross him."

Coco’s guilt spiked at the mention of Heiren’s concern regarding her late returns.

She knew that Heiren and others were constantly worried about her overworking herself, but she had always brushed off their concerns, insisting she was fine.

However.. Now that she’s facing her boss’s comment, she feels a pang of guilt for not listening to her husbands’ worries.

Coco lowered her head. "Yes, sir. I’m so sorry for the trouble."

Mr. Covez’s expression softened, gentleness in his eyes, feeling a little bad for the woman who obviously had something on her mind.

"It’s really no trouble." He said, his tone becoming more compassionate. "I’m just looking out for you. Salamandara did ask me a favor to look out for you, after all."

Coco’s head snapped up at the mention of Salamandara’s name.

"Chief Salamandara?" Coco inquired, her eyes widening in surprise. "You’re friends with the village chief of Yogusho Village?"

Mr. Covez shook his head. "Not friends.. More like acquaintances."

"And.. She asked you a favor to look out for me, sir?" Coco repeated, the corner of her lips quirking up in a small smile. "That’s.. That’s really nice of her."

Coco knows that Chief Salamandara is a hybrid like Sinclair and Alithe, but who knew that she actually cared for Coco?