CHAPTER 136: COINCIDENTAL? PART-TIME JOB

A chilling cold sweat covered Mason’s back as he looked at his left side, watching the young man standing there calmly with his hand that was ready to slash his neck.

"Phew!! Indeed, it’s over; you win!!"

Suddenly the oppressive atmosphere around the two men vanished as if it had never existed in the first place.

Alan: "Thank you, Uncle Mason; it was a nice match."

Everyone else who was watching what happened could not utter a single word.

The first to break the silence was Theodora.

"Are you sure he’s not a descendant of an ancient family!?"

Rosaline answered.

"Just like I told you, the brat is a tough nut to crack. Answering your question, no, he is not."

Lana, who stood there dazed.

"I feel that I have progressed very well in my cultivation. I broke through to the 5th stage at my age, which I thought was an achievement, but he is already way ahead of me."

Rosaline looked at her daughter with gentleness radiating through her eyes as she said.

"You can just work harder, and you will catch up to him. Even leaving him behind is possible for you; it all depends on how hard you will work."

Rosaline cast a look at her sister; there was only a small smile on Ariana’s face. Neither extreme shock nor surprise appeared, as if she had expected this outcome already or the whole thing did not matter to her at all.

Lily ran towards Alan as she had stars in her eyes, completely pleased with her brother.

Lily: "Big brother, you disappeared and then whoosh, appeared again. I want to do that too."

Everyone laughed as Alan assured the little one that she will be able to do this when she grows up.

Rosaline: "You both go and freshen up; we’ll have dinner right after."

Alan followed Mason as the two of them left, heading toward the bath, which was a massive hall with an artificial waterfall and a huge pool.

Both of them stayed silent as they washed their bodies before entering the hot water in the pool.

Mason: "Ahhhh, nothing is better than a bath after a workout."

Alan: "Amen to that."

Mason: "You have become terrifyingly strong within a one-year period, which is not a long time at all; some might even say that your growth in such a small amount of time is a record in itself."

Alan: "You’re exaggerating, Uncle. I know you have not been serious at all in our friendly match earlier; you have only shown the surface of your strength."

Mason had a smile on his face as he gave Alan

A deep look.

Mason: "I can say the same about you; you were holding out on me, you little brat!!"

Alan did not comment as he smiled, enjoying the hot water that relaxed all his muscles.

Both of them enjoyed The rest of the bath in silence

.....

During dinner everyone sampled the delicious food while having a small conversation here and there.

The warm atmosphere in the room was interrupted by the sound of a terminal ringing.

Theodora looked at her wrist as she muted the voice before excusing herself to take the call.

A few minutes later she came back as she sat down next to Rosaline.

Rosaline: "Is everything all right, niece?"

Theodore smiled, answering.

"Yes, everything is good, but I have to go to Tongan City tomorrow. My peaceful days are over."

Mason: "Is it work or the family?"

Theodora: "The family, they want me to preside over a transaction in Tongan City."

Rosaline: "You can finish your work and get back anytime you want; your room will stay as is."

Theodora: "Thank you, Auntie."

.....

The next morning Alan was meditating in the training hall with both of his partners by his side.

It was too early in the morning for anyone to wake up, but the habit cultivated during the training has already become his normal lifestyle.

As he was meditating in silence, he heard a cold voice interrupting his meditation session.

Theodora: "What do you mean by this? This is a huge transaction; it is business, it’s not a joke. I requested that you send a trusted and capable appraiser, and you want me to choose on-site.

Is this a joke for you?"

"I have seen all the onsite lists of candidates that you provided; none of them can be trusted. Do I need to remind you how important this deal is for the family?"

"Even if they can’t send someone in time, you should have anticipated this problem. Based on the client request and the massiveness of this deal, I will have everyone who cut corners be held accountable as soon as I get back. I will deal with this issue on my own; that’s all."

Alan watched Theodora, who looked like some kind of CEO, discussing something major with a cold face and authoritarian majestic vibes radiating gracefully.

Theodora: "I’m sorry, was I loud? Did I disturb your meditation?"

Alan: "It is okay, trouble in paradise??"

Theodora: "Indeed it is. Due to a mix-up, I might have to go deal with this transaction without a qualified and, most importantly, trusted appraiser."

Alan: "You yourself look very capable; I know you will find a way."

Standing up as he walked out of the training hall, completely discarding Theodora and her problems, which slightly infuriated her as she watched the young man walking away.

Theodora: "Wait, I’ve heard that you are a master appraiser. Are you interested in a part-time job?"

Alan turned around as he looked the beauty in the eyes before answering.

Alan: "No one can say no to easy money, but you have to fill me in first about this coincidental business transaction."

Theodore smiled back.

"Sure, walk with me."

Both of them walked toward the mansion as they talked on the way; behind the mask of cordial interaction, so much was going on.

...

After breakfast

Rosaline: "What! You’re taking Alan with you?"

Theodora: "Yes, just like I told you, I needed an appraiser, a trusted one, and he was the best choice."

Lana, who immediately felt some discomfort in her chest, could not help but ask.

Lana: "Can I come with you too?! to learn how to do business. Can I watch?"

Theodora did not see a problem with Lana coming along.

Ariana: "You just got back; why don’t you rest more?"

Alan: "I had plenty of rest, Mom; it’s just going to be a 2-day job. I will be back in a jiffy."

Lily: "Brother, Lily wants to go too; it’s not fair big sister Lana gets to go with you and I don’t."

Alan smiled at the mischievous little devil before appeasing her with a promise of a mountain of candy, saying he was going for work, not to play; only then did the little princess finally stop crying.

Theodora: "Uncle, Auntie, I will be borrowing the hoverjet."

Mason: "Take it, finish your business, and get back as soon as possible. It’s rare for you to enjoy a holiday; please take care of your little sister and teach her well."

Rosaline: "Lana, don’t stir up problems for your cousin; watch how business is done carefully. You will be watching the work of a master."

Lana: "I will."

The whole family watched the three of them boarding the Hoover jet before the jet took off, disappearing into the blue sky.