RISE OF EROS

Chapter 180: CHAPTER 179

Andrew and Oliver left the Heavenly Palace on their way to the pleasure house called Paradise to visit Nadila and organize some things. Although they were now in the crosshairs of the empire's top management, there was nothing they could do about it, so they focused on going about their business and worrying later.

Unlike their normal walk, they decided to travel by carriage. In a few minutes, they were in front of the entrance to the pleasure house called Paradise. Andrew thought the establishment would be terribly damaged because the plumes of dust and the sounds of powerful explosions he had heard when Arturios and Silvio fought were extraordinary.

He thought the battle had been violent and eventful, but now that he was in front of the building, he was delighted because the damage was little. In fact, only the office wall and some damage to the streets were all that could be seen.

This made Andrew happy, as he would not have to spend a lot of money on repairs. This pleasure house was smaller than the Heavenly Palace, at least in the surface area because, in height, this building has 3 stories.

Some time had passed since the battle ended, so the curious had already left and the surroundings had returned to normal. Andrew and Oliver didn't stop for long to look around and entered the establishment.

Unlike the outside of the establishment, its interior was bustling with life. All the employees were running around busy doing something. This surprised Andrew, as he thought this place would be deserted after the event it had survived.

After watching everyone work for a while, Andrew approached the front desk and asked, "I'm looking for Miss Nadila." Andrew had barely finished speaking when all the workers stopped in their tracks.

The instant silence that ensued puzzled Andrew and Oliver, but they were not intimidated even though many of the employees viewed them with some suspicion and even anger. Andrew said again, "I'm looking for Miss Nadila."

"Who are you?" said the middle-aged man who was manning the front desk. He was very similar to Victor, not in his appearance, but in the way he spoke and acted. Although he sounded courteous, Andrew and Oliver noticed the hidden anger in his words.

Andrew knew the reason why everyone seemed angry. Silvio and Milton had murdered Nadila's parents and robbed this place. Many of the employees had been employees since the time of Nadila's parents and so had watched the girl grow up.

For this reason, they suffered when Silvio and Milton mistreated her and took advantage of what was not theirs. Now that they had finally gotten rid of those guys, they were afraid that Andrew and Oliver would be like Silvio and Milton.

Last time they could not do anything, as they had no strength to defend themselves, and although this had not changed, they would not allow a similar situation. They had already made up their minds to die fighting if necessary.

If Andrew and Oliver knew of the workers' thoughts, they would have a very hard time holding in laughter because if they didn't stand a chance against Silvio, much less would they stand a chance against Oliver who is much stronger.

"Tell Miss Nadila that Andrew is here to fulfill the agreement," Andrew said authoritatively. No one knew what he meant, but before they could ask, Nadila's voice was heard, "Don't you think you're being a little shameless?".

Hearing Nadila's voice, Andrew turned and saw the beautiful dark-skinned lady crossing her arms and giving him a look of dissatisfaction. "Why do you say that?" asked Andrew feigning confusion.

"Playing dumb?" said Nadila sarcastically at Andrew's question. Actually, Andrew knew what Nadila meant, but he was playing dumb a little, but he quickly resumed his seriousness.

"Miss Nadila, it seems you want to break the agreement or perhaps you believe that out of nowhere, the protector of the empire would come specifically to destroy Silvio who was a spy for the Tripia kingdom hidden several years ago."

The obvious message in Andrew's sarcastic words surprised everyone, including Nadila. Certainly, they thought they had been lucky to see that Arturios had come to arrest Silvio for espionage, but now that they thought about it a bit, they understood.

It was unlikely that the protector of the empire himself would come all this way, without a strong clue that Silvio was a spy. What's more, they themselves had been working for him for several years and didn't know Silvio was a spy, so Andrew's words allowed them to see the reality.

Nadila was as surprised as everyone else and stammered, "So, you...", but was interrupted by Andrew, "Yes, I alerted the empire about Silvio. It really was a coincidence that I found out he was a spy, but it doesn't change the fact that it all started because of me."

"So, I assume, you'll hold up your end of the bargain, right?" continued Andrew. Nadila's expression turned dark, as she understood that the establishment her parents created now belonged to Andrew.

It wasn't that she didn't want to honor the agreement, although nothing had actually been agreed upon, as she only sent a letter with little information and a request, that barely could be counted as an agreement.

Nadila believed that with the intervention of Arturios, she had managed to get rid of her enemies without anyone's help and then what was rightfully hers would be recovered, but with Andrew's words, she understood that he was the one who orchestrated everything and that she would lose her inheritance again.

Sighing with resignation she said, "All right. Let's talk somewhere else." She led them to an office at the back of the building, where she temporarily exercised her authority, since the main office had been destroyed in Arturios and Silvio's fight.

Several employees wanted to accompany them, but Nadila would not allow it. In the office, Nadila, Andrew, and Oliver had sat down on some sofas and began their negotiations.

Nadila was a bit depressed so she didn't talk. Andrew noticed this and letting out a sigh decided to start the conversation, "Miss Nadila. I understand that you are not happy with the situation, as your parents' business is now in the hands of a stranger, but you shouldn't feel so bad."

"How should I feel then? When I finally thought I had gotten rid of those bastards and regained what belonged to me, it turns out that I lost it again," Nadila said gloomily.

"Well, you will certainly lose some authority and the business no longer belongs to you, but I will honor the agreement and you will run everything. I'll just come in from time to time and help, we don't have to be enemies. I won't mistreat you or anything like that," Andrew said softly trying to comfort her.

Letting out a sigh, Nadila regained her composure and said, "Okay. Tell me what do you intend to do with this place?". "Not much. It will continue to operate as usual and I will take a portion of the profits. Over time I may implement some improvements, but not for the time being," Andrew said.

"How can I be sure he is telling the truth?" asked Nadila incredulously because it was not logical that Andrew who earned this place would want to give it away like that, but Andrew was undeterred and replied, "I guess for the moment you can just take my word for it, in time you will know that I did not lie to you."

Nadila understood what Andrew meant. There was really no way to check that he didn't lie, so only time would determine the veracity of his words, but that wasn't what concerned her, what worried her, was her position.

Nevertheless, she didn't dare ask and nervously glanced at Oliver. Andrew noticed Nadila's glances at Oliver and understood that she wanted to say something, but not in his presence, so he said, "Oliver, can you leave us alone for a moment please."

Oliver didn't want to leave them alone, as he didn't know if Nadila was a threat, but seeing Andrew's serious look, he had no choice but to leave the office. Oliver's aura eyes were not as versatile as Andrew's Eros eyes.

He could see people's intent by checking their auras, but his blessing was more focused on battle, while Andrew's Eros eyes were better at assessing people's feelings, so he was sure that Nadila had no bad intentions.

Once Oliver was out of the office, Andrew didn't beat around the bush and asked, "So, what did you want to ask?", to which Nadila replied, "Mr. Andrew, I'll believe in you for now, but I want to know, what will my position be?".

"What do you mean by that?", Andrew asked confused and Nadila clarified, "I know I will be the manager of the place, but I assume you won't have me as a regular employee, am I wrong?".

Andrew immediately understood what she meant and he had already thought about that problem and even discussed it with his wives. "Well, I'll be honest then. The trust between us is not strong, to say the least, so I need assurances," Andrew said seriously.

"And that would be?" asked Nadila nervously. "I don't want to force you Miss Nadila, but I will have to make you my concubine," Andrew said matter-of-factly. Andrew's comment surprised Nadila, but before she could say anything, Andrew spoke again, "Don't be confused. I don't mean to abuse, but you will understand in time. Besides, it's not a bad thing for you."

Although Nadila didn't understand what Andrew meant, she had no choice and just assisted a little dejectedly, as she said, "I guess I was Silvio's bitch and now I'm your bitch."