CHAPTER 60: THE GILDED ECSTASY

Neo, hearing that, nodded as he turned around to leave. The guard too lowered his arm and Neo turned back as he threw a punch to the face of the guard, but the guard had already anticipated that and blocked it with his arms as he said with a snicker.

"You think I’d fall for that, huh?" the guard said, his tone full of mockery.

Neo, however, didn’t say anything and just twisted his leg and planted a roundhouse kick to the guard’s head, knocking the lights out of him.

Neo sneered at the unconscious guard.

Neo began to go down the stairs as he rolled up his sleeves and spun the dial of his watch. A purple glow began to emanate from the watch and covered the whole body of Neo. His body swelled—dropping the mask of the lanky figure he had worn—scars appeared all over his skin, and his face aged dramatically. Neo walked stealthily as he looked in front of him with vigilance.

A guard stood at the door of the second floor, which caused Neo— who was now disguised as White—to stop in his tracks, but the guard had already heard his steps.

"Who is there?" the guard called out as he looked up the stairs. Soon, his eyes glowed red as his skin began to harden like a rock.

’A Midnighter?’ White questioned himself as he looked at the guard.

He began to climb the stairs as he vigilantly looked in front of him. Seeing that, White began to climb up and reached the unconscious guard. He picked up the unconscious guard and made him stand while looking out of the window. The second guard saw the unconscious guard and walked up to him.

"Liam, what are you doing there?" the guard asked in a solemn tone, but Liam didn’t respond; he was unconscious after all.

The guard furrowed his brow and walked towards Liam as his body began to turn normal again. He placed his hand on Liam’s shoulder and shook him, causing Liam to fall.

"What?!" the guard blurted out with an expression of shock on his face.

Right then, White, who had hidden himself behind the door of the third floor, jumped onto the guard from behind and placed him under a chokehold. He made sure to close the guard’s mouth with his arm so he couldn’t make any noise. White gritted his teeth and tightened his grip with all of his strength.

’Sleep, sleep.’

A few moments later, this guard as well fell unconscious. Due to all of that, Liam began to wake up.

"Ugh..."

White, who had heard his groan, walked towards him. Liam opened his eyes only to see a fist enlarge in his view.

"Huh?" Liam said before getting knocked out once again.

"Both of them are Midnighters," White mumbled to himself as he looked at the unconscious guards.

White turned around and descended the stairs, his expression solemn.

"I hope Miss Anieal is alright," White mumbled as he moved.

***

Damien stepped out of his car and looked at the modern restaurant in front of him. It had the spark of modern architecture, and neon lights were used as exterior decor. A sign was placed at the front which read "Gilded Ecstasy".

Damien walked past the gates of the restaurant and walked inside the hall, which was illuminated by the chandeliers. There was only one table set at the centre of the restaurant, and Edwin Turner sat on it.

Edwin gave Damien a haughty look as he stood up and greeted him with no sincerity whatsoever.

"It’s a pleasure to be in the presence of Damien Starborne."

"Pleasure is all mine, Edwin Turner." Damien reciprocated with the same tone.

Edwin’s smile faltered from that, but he just shook his head as he sat down.

"Haha! Let’s eat first." Edwin said as he pointed towards the chair in front of him.

Damien looked at Edwin for a few moments before nodding and sitting down in the chair.

Edwin dramatically clapped his hands, and waiters holding plates came out and began to serve the food.

"I have made sure to only order the best for you," Edwin said with a small smile on his face.

Damien, however, just nodded at that. Seeing that, Edwin thought.

’Act as mighty as you want, Damien Starborne. It’s going to be your last day after all.’

"Dig in," Edwin said as he began filling his plate with food and began to eat. Damien also followed behind him.

Soon, the place was filled with the sound of knives and spoons touching the plate and clinking glass. A few moments later, Edwin spoke as he continued to eat.

"I wonder, why did you stop working with us?" Edwin questioned, his eyes fixed on Damien.

Damien looked up at him as he answered.

"The rumours about your work are affecting the business. So, I had no other options."

"Such rumours come and go, you know that, don’t you? Damien. You should trust your partners, don’t you?" Edwin questioned as he placed his spoon down.

"I can’t place the future of the whole emporium in danger just for that."

"I can understand. But why did you not talk about it to me? How is it fair that you just annul the contract from your side?" Edwin said with a smile, but his eyes were cold.

The whole place turned silent as both of them looked at each other for a few seconds, after which Edwin began to laugh heartily as he spoke.

"HAHA! I am just joking with you, Damien."

However, Damien didn’t react and continued to stare at him with an indifferent expression.

Edwin, feeling awkward due to the continuous stare, grabbed the bottle of vintage wine as he stood up from his chair and uncorked it. He walked towards Damien, pouring the wine into a glass and passing it to him.

Damien stared at him without any change in his expression.

"Try it, it’s one of the best wines I have ever tried." Edwin praised with a big smile. But seeing Damien’s disinterest, his smile faded, he tossed the wine glass aside and scowled at Damien.

"Why can’t you act like-" Edwin yelled at him, but Damien cut in.

"Get it over with, Edwin."