Chapter 274: I’ve Arranged Jobs for Your Family
Simon Hughes’s words weren’t exactly pleasant, but Claire Vance had to admit he had a point.
Jayce and Candice Tate were both Wood Ability Users, and High Tier ones at that. With the two of them around, they could produce as many fruits and vegetables as they wanted.
If it came down to a war of attrition on that front, they would never win.
Once she realized this, Claire Vance’s expression soured. "Then what do you propose we do? You called me over, so you must already have a plan. We’re past the point of playing games, so stop being so mysterious and just spit it out!"
Simon Hughes leaned back on the sofa without answering. Instead, he glanced to the side. "Go get Dominic Crawford."
A few moments later, Dominic Crawford was escorted in.
Dominic Crawford’s face was devoid of expression. He simply stood to the side, waiting, without speaking a word.
Simon Hughes didn’t seem the least bit bothered by this. In fact, the smile on his face was even more cordial than before.
"Ah, Mr. Crawford. You’ve been here for a few days now. How are you settling in?"
"Everything is fine," Dominic Crawford replied.
His voice remained flat as he answered, his face just as impassive.
"Good, that’s good! Given your relationship with Joy, there’s no way I’d treat you poorly. Whether it’s food, clothing, housing, or anything else you might need, just say the word. I’ve already instructed my people not to refuse anything you ask for."
A dark glint flashed in Dominic Crawford’s eyes, but he still just nodded. "Thank you, Master Hughes."
"What’s the need for thanks between us? By the way, I’ve already made arrangements for your family. I got them some leisurely jobs. The monthly Contribution Points aren’t much, but food and housing are covered. They can just use the points as pocket money, and the work is quite relaxed."
At these words, the expression on Dominic Crawford’s face changed in an instant.
He hadn’t known about this at all.
"Master Hughes!" Dominic Crawford took a step forward, his voice tightening. "When did this happen? Why didn’t I know?"
"It’s a trivial matter." Simon Hughes waved his hand dismissively. "It’s nothing important. I had my people arrange it, so I didn’t mention it to you beforehand. I’m just bringing it up in passing now, so don’t take it to heart. You’re with me now. Taking care of you and your family is my duty."
Simon Hughes maintained his smiling facade, his tone exceptionally warm, as if the two of them were truly the best of friends.
But the more he spoke like this, the more anxious Dominic Crawford grew.
Simon Hughes made it sound benevolent, arranging work for his family, but it was nothing short of a threat.
’He was using my family to threaten me!’
"What is it you want me to do, Master Hughes?" Dominic Crawford asked bluntly.
He’d never been one for beating around the bush, and now that his family was involved, Dominic Crawford had no patience for it.
"Mr. Crawford!" Simon Hughes’s expression grew serious as he stared at Dominic. "What do you mean, what do I want you to do? Is that really how you think of me? I consider you a brother, which is why I made all these arrangements. How could you think I’m trying to order you around? You’re breaking my heart!"
As he finished speaking, Simon Hughes let out a long, dramatic sigh.
He looked, for all the world, as if he were genuinely hurt.
Watching Simon Hughes’s performance from the other side of the room, Claire Vance couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
’How can someone be such a drama queen?’
’Still, it wasn’t like she had anything better to do. Might as well enjoy the show.’
Claire Vance settled in to watch, even adjusting her posture to get more comfortable.
Meanwhile, Dominic Crawford stood with his head bowed, silent.
Seeing that Dominic Crawford wasn’t talking, Simon Hughes took a sip of water before speaking again, slowly. "You used to be on good terms with Sierra Sullivan and her group, right? No, wait! Listen to me. Your relationship with them must *still* be good! Isn’t it?"
Dominic Crawford’s head snapped up, and he stared intently at Simon Hughes.
’I should have known.’
’Why would Simon Hughes treat me so well?’
’It was never just about Joy. It was because of Sierra and her friends.’
"You’ve probably heard that Jayce’s mother opened The Little Green Shop to sell some fruits and vegetables. In theory, that’s a good thing. There are plenty of people in Subterra, and plenty of Contribution Points to go around. Nothing wrong with that. But they’ve set their prices so low that it’s having a significant impact on our own shop. So, tell me, what are we going to do about it?"
"I don’t have any ulterior motives. You know there’s already some... misunderstanding between me and them, so it wouldn’t be right for me to approach them directly about this. It would only make them misunderstand me further. I figured, since you have a better relationship with them, it would be much more effective if you handled it instead of me. Don’t you agree?"
"My request is simple. If they want to play the hero and do good deeds, I won’t stop them. But they can’t take it too far and affect our business. That’s all. It’s a simple task. You can handle it, can’t you? This is the first assignment I’ve given you since you joined my side. If you do it well, it will be a chance to prove your capabilities. Then I can treat you and your family even better in the future, and no one else will have reason to object. Wouldn’t you say so?"
He laid it all out in a pleasant, persuasive tone, making it sound less like an order and more like a reasonable discussion.
After he finished, Simon Hughes didn’t wait for Dominic Crawford’s reply, nor did he seem particularly concerned about getting one.
"This task is both simple and not so simple. I won’t force you. Take your time, think it over. You can even go home for a visit. I’ll be waiting. Go on."
Dominic Crawford clenched his fists, then turned and walked out.
Watching Dominic Crawford leave, Simon Hughes instructed a man at his side, "Go and tell Joy Warren what just happened."
Joy Warren received the news moments later. She stood up immediately and went to find Dominic Crawford.
When Dominic Crawford opened the door, he was somewhat surprised to see Joy Warren standing there.
"Joy, what are you doing here?"
He had been here for several days, but Joy Warren had been deliberately keeping her distance from him. They had rarely even crossed paths, much less spoken.
For Joy Warren to come looking for him now, of her own accord, genuinely surprised him.
Joy Warren didn’t answer, walking straight into the room and taking a seat.
"Did Master Hughes tell you to take care of Sierra Sullivan and her friends?" Joy Warren asked the moment she sat down.
Dominic Crawford walked over and sat down opposite her. "You already know?"
"Yes, Master Hughes had someone inform me. Do you realize what this means? He’s afraid you won’t do it, so he sent me to persuade you. If you refuse, it won’t just be you and your family who suffer. My mother and I won’t be able to live peacefully either. Mr. Crawford, do you understand?"