Darkstone Code

Bennett, who was in a rage, unexpectedly calmed down when he met eyes with the girl. Although she didn't express anything explicitly, he had understood everything from her attitude.

Sometimes, anger isn't due to hatred and disgust, and sometimes, calming down doesn't mean acceptance.

"It's all fake..." Bennett patted his head. "How much did they pay you?"

The girl didn't answer but instead silently stood up to pack her things, preparing to leave if Bennett didn't stop her.

She initially thought she would be beaten, but unexpectedly, things were far from as bad as she imagined.

In truth, whether it was Bennett or Annie, the psychological changes during this time together were very complex.

Not to mention Bennett's mental changes, didn't the girl have some thoughts of wanting to turn this fake act into reality?

Actually, she did, and more than once, she hoped that all this could become real.

Any girl yearns to be the focus of people's attention, not because she took off how many clothes in public.

During the time with Bennett, she felt a lifestyle she had never experienced before, only seen in movies and TV.

It's complicated—from the details of dining to everyday etiquette, every step couldn't be wrong. Bennett wouldn't loudly reprimand her for her repeated mistakes but patiently tell her how to avoid embarrassment in front of others.

It's dull—what style of clothes to wear in different seasons, what attire and accessories to wear for gatherings with different purposes, social circles, even different classes at different times—each of these made the girl headache, and honestly, it was quite boring!

It's rigid—what everyone can do, say, or move at what time, all have strict regulations. When to chat with others and when only to stand beside Bennett, these too have very strict standards without surprises, shouldn't have surprises.

Yet, all these form part of the life everyone yearns for, combining into the fairy tale endings of farm girls in the bedtime stories that deceive children into believing the world's wonders.

But this was also something Annie couldn't bear because, from the very start, this was a transaction, a scam.

No matter what clothes she wore, what occasions she stood in, or who she accompanied, she couldn't become someone else.

She is just herself, a stripper, a girl who needs... to earn money, the synonym for vulgarity and depravity in public perception.

All of this was just a dream, and now the dream is over!

After packing her things, the girl walked out of the bedroom, looking at Bennett sitting on the sofa with his head in his hands, feeling some guilt, she pursed her lips, "Are you sure you don't want to give me a beating?"

This time Bennett didn't even raise his head, nor did he speak.

The girl watched him for a moment, left the room keys, and pulled her suitcase to leave.

She only took away her own belongings; other items, including some jewelry and accessories Bennett bought for her, remained in the room.

Walking on the deserted streets, the girl raised her head to look at the not-so-bright sun, the similarly faint light making her eyes a bit moist. She wiped her tears and quickened her pace.

She didn't know if her previous rented apartment had been leased to someone else; she still had to live on.

The next day, Jogriman, back at his post, brutally "cleansed" more than half of the credit department, with about twenty employees cleared due to various reasons.

The Sabin City branch even held a special meeting to briefly explain the specific details of all events and demanded all grassroots banks to strengthen employee training and management to prevent similar errors.

Soon after, Jogriman finished handling the auction files, organized a small auction with the president's support, and selected suitable bidders for these assets.

Among them was Lynch, who was financially the healthiest of the group!

After handling everything, Lynch wrote a heartfelt thank-you letter to Jogriman, precisely quantifying his gratitude for everything Jogriman had done for him and inquired about his injuries. Jogriman was deeply moved and didn't forget to call and thank Lynch for his concern.

Aside from these trivial matters, Lynch was now beginning to prepare for attending the President's celebration ceremony.

This wasn't a small political bureau meeting but represented an opportunity and qualification for close contact with the country's ruler, who would be in power for at least the next six years, so he naturally had to prepare very well.

However, at this moment, he wasn't sitting in a tailor's studio preparing new clothes or in a jeweler's shop looking at design drafts; he was making a phone call while fiddling with a book in his hand titled "How to Quickly Integrate into the University Social Circle".

The author of this bestseller is the daughter of a consortium board member, exposed to the top echelon of society from a young age, where high society admired by everyone was her everyday life.

She's a special girl; Lynch obtained the phone number from the publisher and reached some future cooperation intentions as a fan of the book.

At events like the President's celebration, each person's companion seemed particularly significant; Lynch didn't have such a person—a companion who could help him open certain situations without losing dignity.

His ex-girlfriend didn't work; among the women he knew, perhaps only Mrs. Trice met such requirements.

But Mrs. Trice... is too old and not suitable to be Lynch's companion. When he was desperate, he suddenly thought of that book, "How to Quickly Integrate into the University Social Circle".

Lynch casually inquired about the girl's identity background and finally confirmed she had such qualifications, and her age was apt; she was only four years older than Lynch.

In a privileged living environment, a three to five-year age gap wouldn't manifest on people's faces.

"This is Wardrick's residence...", the call quickly connected, the person answering with a very traditional Bailor accent, a bit nasally with slight deviations in pronunciation for some words.

This accent is rarely heard nowadays; occasionally, some opera singing might have such pronunciations, but aside from that, it's difficult to hear.

"I'm looking for Miss Severa, I'm one of her book fans."

The answerer was Miss Severa, the author of this bestseller's housekeeper; it was his first time hearing such an excuse in such a work environment.

However, he didn't immediately scoff and hang up but courteously inquired Lynch's name and asked him to hold on, whether to answer Lynch's call depended on the young lady in the room herself.

The reason the housekeeper made such a decision is actually because Wardrick residence's phone wasn't a public line, and even mid-to-high income groups couldn't easily get this number. Only those comparable to or higher in rank than Mr. Wardrick knew this phone.

These people undoubtedly represented the mainstream group in society, its core component, and weren't someone a housekeeper could easily offend, although that voice sounded young and the excuse seemed flimsy.

Before long, some sounds were heard on the other side of the call, followed by the sound of someone picking up the receiver and speaking; it was a girl.

He knew his reason would certainly be accepted; in fact, from the moment he saw this book, he roughly guessed the girl's certain traits, such as some vanity, some desire for more recognition.

Undoubtedly, book fans would be a good entry point.

But Miss Severa wasn't a simple White Swan; she was actually smarter than most girls her age.

Her first sentence uncovered Lynch's excuse, "I didn't know I still have book fans who can call me, Mr. Lynch."

People within the same level circle as her wouldn't read her books as it was their ordinary life; those who read her books were those ordinary people aspiring to be part of her life circle, their social status and class were lower, and these people couldn't easily get a hold of the phone to her residence, so she considered this a mere excuse.

Though it was indeed a comforting reason, she wanted to hear how Lynch would respond, driven by seven parts curiosity, she decided to talk with Lynch.

"I have indeed read your book, the stories are quite interesting, maybe we can turn it into a TV series or movie?", dealing with such a young girl, Lynch could easily use a few tricks to make her unable to resist.

Severa didn't care about the adaptation rights fees or anything; growing up in such a family, money was never a lack.

She lacked the attention, recognition of family members, and the envious gaze in her small friend circle.

Such things couldn't be obtained with money or faked; it must come from strangers, society's recognition!

If her work could be actively requested for adaptation by others, rather than spending her own money or asking others to help adapt, this undoubtedly would prove some points to certain family members.

Lynch moved the girl; she suddenly became expectant.

"I believe your call isn't just for this little matter; state your real purpose!", although the girl was moved, she didn't immediately agree but inquired if there was any condition.

Lynch didn't hide his thoughts, "I will have a social event recently, lacking an apt female companion, I read your book and know your situation; I believe you are an apt choice!"