MTLNOVEL Chapter 182: A Very Mean Lady
Aponia was clearly a kind and moral person, evident in her running an orphanage in the lawless Twilight Street. Such qualities were rare here.
But her high moral standards were now a problem. The legally binding document Lee presented, though meaningless in Twilight Street, clearly distressed Aponia. A thug would have tossed it aside, but Aponia was visibly shaken.
"This… I… how…?"
"As you can see, Aponia, this property, which you're using for your orphanage, belongs to my company…" Lee's smile was mischievous. Teasing people was always fun. "So, technically, we need you and everyone here to leave—"
"Please, don't!" Aponia leaned forward, her ample bosom jiggling slightly.
Lee frowned, rubbing her temples. "Aponia, I shouldn't have to explain this, but that ability doesn't work on me."
"I apologize; I didn't mean to…"
Aponia sat back, flustered. Her power intensified with her emotions, but it still had no effect on Lee.
Aponia wasn't rich; she couldn't afford such a large building. A local thug had "gifted" it to her. He'd soon met an untimely end, but no one else wanted this remote property.
Borrowing a building from a would-be assailant to help others… Aponia didn't think it was that bad.
She knew the thug's assets were probably ill-gotten, but that was common in Twilight Street. The original owners were usually long gone.
But now the real owner was here, and Aponia didn't know what to do. Unlike the thug, Lee and Kalpas seemed nice. Using her power on them felt wrong—and it didn't work anyway.
Kalpas didn't look like someone to mess with. If she refused to acknowledge the deed and things turned violent, the orphanage…
"What… what do you want?" Aponia asked nervously. "Please, don't take this place. At least give us some time… I'll do anything…"
"Oh? Anything?"
"…Yes."
Kalpas looked away as Aponia panicked.
Lee's at it again.
She usually seemed gentle and calm, but she enjoyed playing cruel jokes, pushing people until they broke.
She'd teased Kevin about Kalpas staying in Mobius's dorms, implying they were sharing a room, until Kevin freaked out, then explained with a giggle.
It was the same now. Kalpas was sure Lee never intended to take the orphanage; she was just messing with Aponia.
Such a mean lady. Who would even like her?
But it's not a big deal. She usually helps people… Maybe she needs to release some stress, like I do with fighting.
Kalpas adjusted his mask.
They can't blame her for teasing them. She's done way more good than a few jokes…
Kalpas was partly right. Lee was enjoying Aponia's distress. Seeing a gentle, motherly figure lose her composure was amusing.
But the main reason was to pave the way for goodwill farming. Slowly building goodwill was fine, but sometimes, a little manipulation sped things up. Like the classic "push them down, then lift them up" strategy.
After "You wouldn't want these children to be homeless, would you?" and "I'll do anything!", it was time for Lee to state her demands—but she didn't need anything from Aponia.
She just needed Aponia's negative emotions. Cornered and desperate, Aponia was primed for a show of kindness…
"Since you'll do anything…"
Lee's smile turned sinister, and Aponia tensed.
"…Could you get me and Kalpas two rooms?"
"Sure… huh?"
Aponia, expecting some evil demand, looked up, confused. "Rooms…?"
"We're supposed to be stationed here, but it's an orphanage now, so we need a place to stay."
Lee's sinister smile vanished, replaced by a gentle one. "You have so many children and elderly people to care for. We have plenty of free time; we can help."
"Keep the deed. I doubt the company will send anyone else. Just… please don't kick us out. We have nowhere else to go."
"…Thank you so much."
Relief washed over Aponia as the weight lifted from her shoulders. She felt genuine gratitude towards Lee.
[Target Aponia's favorability increased. Current favorability: 4]
[Current target charging efficiency: 360%]
Nice~