Chapter 362: Meeting With Bernard
The three sat down inside a booth in an out-of-town restaurant, waiting for the lawyer.
They ordered fries and chicken while they waited. The hot food steamed on the tray between them, the rich smell of grease filling the booth while Gary pulled in a deep, hungry breath, his fingers reaching out to grab a crisp fry.
Malo talked about calling Kiara to ask her if she got the book she talked about. They also still didn’t know how to get the fish out of Gary’s system.
They wondered about his fate.
The poor guy just peacefully ate his fries. Gary’s hands moved slowly, his heart beating a quiet, steady rhythm as he chewed his food without a single worry in the world, his lungs letting out a soft, satisfied exhale.
Then they looked outside through the glass and saw a familiar limo parking. The vehicle glided to a smooth halt near the curb, its tinted windows reflecting the afternoon sun while Faye’s breath locked straight up in her chest.
"Guess it’s time..." Malo said. His posture stiffened, his pulse hammering a sharp, nervous beat against his neck as he took a deep draft of air to steady his nerves.
He stood up first, gently carrying the crate of jarred Beasts, followed by Faye and Gary. Malo’s arms tensing under the strain while his boots stomped toward the exit, Faye and Gary falling in line right behind his heels, their breathing fast and focused.
While inside the limo, Malo showed Bernard the crate. The plush leather seats sank beneath them as the door clicked shut, the cool air conditioning rushing over their skin while Malo held out the wooden box, his chest expanding with a firm, professional breath.
"Blue Spark Shark, Mantis Shrimp, Chameleon Shark, Fury Clam, and Speedy Dash Fish," Malo listed the Beasts in the jars. He pointed his finger at each glowing glass cylinder, his pulse beating a fast, precise cadence as he spoke.
"I’m only seeing four jars," Bernard said, because there were only four, yet Malo had mentioned five names. The lawyer leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as his lungs pulled in a slow, calculating draft of air, his sharp suit completely smooth.
"That is where he comes in. He ate the Speedy Dash Fish," Faye said, pointing at Gary, who was holding a glass of champagne. Faye’s eyes locked onto Bernard, her chest heaving with a firm, direct breath while Gary paused mid-sip, his heart rate spiking a fast, sudden jump.
Bernard turned to the boy. He studied him. His cold gaze swept over Gary’s pink hair and nervous posture, his posture unyielding while his chest rose in a slow, silent wave.
"He doesn’t look anything like a Beast..." Bernard observed flatly, his low voice carrying zero emotion as he let out a short, quiet exhale through his nose.
"That is because he has a night walker’s blood in his system, and in a few hours it will wear off, and the merging will begin," Malo explained.
Bernard brought out a detector shaped like a metal detector and used it to scan Gary. It confirmed that the Beast was inside his body. The sleek device hummed loudly as it passed over Gary’s stomach, a series of bright green lights flashing along the handle while Gary held his breath, his throat going dry as his heart thuttered against his ribs.
Bernard brought out an envelope and handed it to them.
"Inside the envelope are two unlimited cards. You can use them anywhere to buy and pay for anything, but you can’t withdraw cash... and two rings." Bernard instructed smoothly, his voice dropping into a deep, authoritative tone that filled the quiet limo, his breathing steady and slow.
They opened it to find two golden cards and two black rings that had the sigil DR. Even the Card same sigil.
Malo looked at Bernard. He was also wearing a ring similar to theirs, but it was red in color. Malo blinked rapidly, his eyes darting down to the lawyer’s hand, his own breath hitching in his throat as his mind raced to make the connection.
"What are we to do with the rings?" Faye said. She held the black band up between two fingers, her eyes narrowing with deep suspicion while her chest rose in a guarded wave.
"That ring is power." Bernard answered simply, his posture remaining rigid while his lungs pulled in a long, quiet draft of air.
"Superpowers?" Malo muttered. He leaned closer, his eyes widening as his heart rate exploded with a sudden, excited heat, his breath coming out in a short, eager puff.
"A power of respect. You serve under the De Rolo family. You belong to the De Rolos. Your loyalty belongs to the De Rolos. Anyone who sees that will grant you access to whatever you want." Bernard declared firmly, his eyes locking onto Faye’s stubborn face as his chest swelled with an imposing breath.
That was a tempting reward for bringing just 5 Beasts. The shiny gold cards and the black rings glinted mockingly in the dim light, the sudden weight of the offer pressing hard against their chests while their breathing turned thick and heavy.
Faye was trying to clear herself from the issue, and now they were adding another thing that looked like a cult.
"Em, Mr. Bernardino, I am not seeking power or wealth. I just want to fix everything and go back to what it was before the contract," Faye said. She tossed the black ring back onto the leather seat, her eyes having a dangerous heat as her chest heaved with a sharp, decisive breath.
"The contract cannot be broken." Bernard stated coldly, his tone leaving zero room for argument, his eyes staring unblinkingly as his chest rose in a slow, heavy wave.
"Yeah, it was stated. That is why we are going to find every Beast Morph and give it to you. I don’t need all these. The only family I want to serve is my family." Faye said..
"To find every single Beast Morph, you need to sail the entire world. The contract says we cover the expenses, and at times you might not be allowed into some places. That ring is your pass," Bernard said. He gestured toward the discarded jewelry with a flick of his wrist, his posture unbothered as his breath escaped in a calm, steady huff.
His gray hair made him look like an old man, but he looked younger, maybe in his fifties. He had an intimidating appearance. The deep lines on his face held an icy authority, his broad chest rising and falling in smooth, dangerous cadences that filled the enclosed vehicle with tension.
"If you have the money and the power, why can’t you find them yourself?" Faye asked, looking at the lawyer with no trace of fear.