George couldn’t help bursting into laughter instinctively, but the laughter quickly faded and left him with a bittersweet feeling. It was he who exposed North to the gruesome side.
If he hadn’t made last-minute arrangements for them to stay at the Double Dragon Court, Olivia wouldn’t have become an assassin for them. He thought he could protect her, but he never anticipated that it would end with him having to buy her freedom. Neither did he want to admit that there was any disparity between him and Eugene.
At one point, he even believed that his feelings for Olivia surpassed those that Eugene had for her. However, after multiple incidents, he was forced to reflect on himself. He realized he needed to be more attentive. He failed to put himself in her shoes and always approached matters from his own perspective.
In a situation like today, George would undoubtedly take her if she wanted to go. His happiness stemmed from her, so why wouldn’t he do it?
However, Eugene only desired to keep her protected under his wing. Perhaps this was genuine affection-no, it should be called love. He couldn’t recall where he had heard a phrase that intentionally distinguished between liking and loving.
To like was akin to seeing a beautiful flower and plucking it to bring home, while to love was tending to that flower every day. Although George had initially dismissed it, he now somewhat understood the phrase.
He had to admit that a flower being watered would always thrive longer than a plucked one, just like the disparity between him and Eugene. George sighed and reluctantly uttered, “He’s just caring for you.”
Olivia responded, “I know, but it doesn’t feel satisfying without personally teaching Blood Rose a lesson.”
“What else do you want to do to her?” George asked. Her innocent laughter was deceiving and a light glimmered in her eyes. “I want to try out my newly developed Tickle Powder on her just to see how effective it is.”
He felt speechless.
She doesn’t need to witness the bloody side as she embodies bloodshed. Look at her looking all enthusiastic. That’s not the face of someone trying to torture another. To those who don’t know her, they would think she is offering some kind of pleasure, and her innocent demeanor only reinforces the notion that she is the type who can sell someone out and demand payment in return.
Amidst his amusement, a tinge of bitterness arose within him. Eugene had easily swayed such a remarkable junior.
“If you cover my shift, I’ll assist you, and I’ll provide feedback afterward. How about that?” George offered. Olivia’s eyes sparkled when she heard this proposal, thus eagerly responding, “Absolutely! I’ll go get it for you.” Without further ado, she hurriedly left the room.
Soon enough, she returned with a small black vial in hand and handed it over to him. “As soon as it touches the skin, the itching will become unbearable. However, I haven’t tested it on a large scale yet. You can try it on her, and if the results aren’t satisfactory, I’ll make some improvements.”
He couldn’t help but wonder how he managed to suppress his laughter. This little junior of his was by no means a benevolent person. If someone treated her well, she would reciprocate doubly but retaliate above and beyond if someone tried to harm her.
“Well, you stay here and keep watch. I’ll be on my way.” With that said, he made his way to the branch office of the Nolan Group. Upon arrival, he was taken aback. He had expected a secret chamber to be dark, damp, and equipped with various torture devices.
After all, that was what the Double Dragon Court was like a place designed explicitly for torment.
However, this place hardly resembled a secret chamber. Instead, it looked more like a private room in a nightclub with a television, computers, and surveillance cameras.
Of course, if he hadn’t caught a faint whiff of blood, he would have doubted whether he had arrived at the correct location.
Eugene was sitting on a couch with various drinks neatly arranged on the coffee table. After spotting George’s arrival, he greeted, “George….”
“Where are they?” George questioned. Eugene raised his chin and gestured toward the surveillance monitor. Only then did George notice that this place held more secrets than met the eye.
