Chapter 195: Lady Angela.
After leaving the rift, Kael bid the other hunters farewell before making his way toward the place where he had parked his motorcycle.
The Hunter Association had already arranged accommodation for all the exploration teams, but Kael had no intention of spending the night in some unfamiliar room simply because it had been provided for him. He had a perfectly good room waiting for him at home, and after spending an entire day inside the freezing environment of the rift, he would much rather return to his own bed.
He climbed onto his motorcycle, started the engine, and soon the familiar roar of the machine filled the air.
A moment later, Kael twisted the throttle.
The motorcycle shot forward, quickly disappearing into the flow of the city as he began his journey home.
---
Meanwhile, in another corner of the city, an entirely different scene was unfolding.
Music thundered through a bustling nightclub as colorful lights swept across the crowded dance floor. Hunters, ordinary citizens, and members of various guilds filled the club, drinking, laughing, and enjoying themselves beneath the deafening music.
The club was one of several entertainment establishments owned by the Dark Viper Guild, one of the fastest-rising guilds in the city.
Because of the guild’s rapid growth and rising reputation, the club attracted a considerable crowd every night.
Far away from the noise of the main floor, however, was a private room reserved exclusively for important guests.
Vice Captain Morgan sat comfortably on a luxurious sofa, his large frame occupying a considerable portion of the seat. Two of his trusted lackeys sat nearby, while expensive bottles of alcohol covered the table in front of them.
Several beautiful women dressed in revealing outfits were also scattered around the room, keeping the three men company as they drank and laughed.
The atmosphere was relaxed.
At least, it was until someone knocked on the door.
Knock! Knock!
Morgan’s expression immediately darkened.
His head snapped toward the entrance.
The large man’s fierce eyes instantly fell upon the guard standing outside, and the intimidating pressure radiating from his massive frame caused the guard to lower his head nervously.
"I explicitly warned you not to disturb me."
The guard swallowed.
"I’m sorry, Vice Captain, but Lady Angela is requesting to meet you. She doesn’t seem willing to take no for an answer."
Morgan’s eyes narrowed.
"Hmm."
He glanced around the room before waving his hand.
"Everyone, leave."
The women immediately understood.
They quickly gathered their belongings and filed out of the private room, not daring to linger after Morgan had given the order.
Once they were gone, Morgan leaned back against the sofa and looked toward the guard.
"Let her in."
The guard immediately bowed.
"Yes, Vice Captain."
He turned around and left.
The moment the door closed behind him, one of Morgan’s lackeys clicked his tongue.
"Who does that woman think she is? Just because she helped us with our finances in the past, she now thinks she runs everything."
The second lackey nodded in agreement.
"Exactly. What does she think she’s doing, coming here whenever she wants? Does she really think we’re pushovers?"
Morgan’s eyes narrowed.
"Both of you, enough."
The two men immediately fell silent.
They exchanged a quick glance before lowering their heads.
"Sorry, Vice Captain. We overstepped."
Morgan picked up his glass and took a slow sip.
"The Dark Viper Guild is at a critical point right now. We’re still expanding, and we need every bit of funding we can get."
He lowered the glass.
"Angela is our biggest investor. We can’t afford to ruin our relationship with her."
The two lackeys nodded immediately.
"Understood, Vice Captain."
Morgan waved his hand.
"Leave."
The two men quickly stood up, bowed, and hurried toward the door.
A few seconds later, they were gone.
Morgan was finally alone.
He leaned back into his seat and took another sip of his drink, his expression becoming increasingly irritated now that there was nobody else around.
"Damn wench."
He stared toward the door.
"Who knows what kind of ridiculous request she’s here to make this time?"
Knock! Knock!
Morgan’s expression immediately returned to normal.
A voice came from outside.
"Vice Captain, she’s here."
Morgan placed his glass down and stood.
He straightened his clothes before speaking.
"Let her in."
The door opened.
A heavily made-up woman stepped into the private room.
Everything about her appearance screamed wealth.
Her dress was made from expensive material, while the jewelry adorning her neck, ears, wrists, and fingers glimmered beneath the room’s lighting. Even the handbag hanging from her arm looked like something that cost more than most ordinary people’s yearly income.
This was Lady Angela.
Morgan’s expression immediately became more respectful.
"Lady Angela."
He gestured toward the room.
"I wonder to what I owe this visit?"
Angela didn’t answer immediately.
She removed her expensive glasses and walked across the room with measured steps before taking the seat opposite Morgan. She crossed one leg over the other and casually placed her glasses on the table.
Her eyes settled on Morgan.
"The Dark Viper Guild has certainly taken the spotlight lately."
Morgan smiled.
"We’ve been fortunate."
"Fortunate?"
Angela’s lips curved slightly.
"You’ve been on a constant rise for months. Your guild’s reputation has increased, your territory has expanded, and your income has continued to grow."
Morgan maintained his smile.
Angela leaned back.
"It seems the Dark Viper Guild has forgotten who made all of that possible."
Morgan cursed internally.
But his expression didn’t change.
"Of course not. We are truly grateful for Lady Angela’s assistance. How could we possibly forget?"
Angela stared at him for a few seconds.
"Is that so?"
Her voice remained calm, but there was a faint edge beneath it.
"The captain has been making excuses for months whenever I request a meeting. Every time I ask to visit, there is suddenly something more important that requires his attention."
Morgan’s smile stiffened.
Angela continued.
"And when I invited him to meet me personally, he rejected the invitation."
She tilted her head slightly.
"That doesn’t sound like the behavior of someone who is truly grateful."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Or is this how the Dark Viper Guild chooses to show its gratitude?"