Chương 63: Chapter 62

When they first obtained the building, Lily was incredibly excited. After all, it meant she could finally decorate a place according to her own preferences. The building itself had three floors. It had previously been an inn with a diner on the first floor, but Lily immediately decided that the old arrangement would not do. The second floor was where she found the most enjoyment. There were six rooms in total, and Lily immediately claimed two of them.

She combined the two rooms together and used the money she had earned to transform the space into an elegant area designed specifically for entertaining noble guests. Every detail was carefully arranged. The furniture, decorations, and atmosphere were all chosen to create a place that felt refined and impressive. It was a room meant to represent the dignity of the store. After finishing her own area, Lily left the remaining rooms to the others. Elias chose one of the corner rooms.

Unlike Lily's elegant design, Elias created a room with a much darker and more mysterious atmosphere. He never explained the purpose behind his choices. Whenever someone asked, he simply smiled and said something about aesthetics and properly playing his role. After some convincing, he managed to persuade the others that his room would be the perfect place whenever someone important came to meet them for the first time or whenever someone caused trouble.

According to Elias, that room would finally have a chance to fulfill its purpose. Lucian took responsibility for two of the remaining rooms. One was arranged as a comfortable space for merchants and commoners who came to visit. The other was prepared for guests from the slums, ensuring that they would also have a place where they could feel welcome. The room between them was given to Damien. After hearing everyone's plans, Damien decided that his room did not need anything extravagant.

Instead, he created a resting area. It contained a bed, tables, and chairs, with a focus on comfort rather than appearance. When the others heard what Damien wanted to do, they decided to provide him with a significant amount of money for the room. Aside from Lily, he received the most funding. They understood that a place for people to rest was just as important as a place meant to impress them. … The third floor was mostly untouched.

However, when Lily eventually went upstairs and saw the condition of the rooms, she immediately decided that something needed to be done. Using some of her remaining funds, she renovated the area and turned it into a proper living space. The rooms received beds and the necessary furniture. Although they still did not know exactly what they would use the third floor for, they decided to leave it prepared for the future.

After all the rooms had been arranged, they finally turned their attention toward the first floor. The diner area remained empty. They had not yet decided what to do with it. Just as they were discussing their options, Jake arrived with his mother. Although she was still wearing a cast, she was able to walk. The moment she saw Nina, gratitude filled her expression.

"Thank you," she said.

"I do not know why you helped me so much, but because of the healer you sent, my leg, which the doctors said would never recover without one, is now close to healing." She looked down at her cast.

"They said that in a little under three months, I should be fully recovered." She lowered herself, preparing to kneel before Nina. However, Nina was not currently in control. Elias immediately stopped her. Seeing the woman and her son standing inside the newly renovated building, he tilted his head slightly. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"How good are your cooking skills?" Jake's mother looked confused by the sudden question.

"My cooking skills? They are... decent."

"Can you make something for me?"... After tasting the food she prepared, Elias immediately made his decision. He hired her.

"If you need better equipment, purchase it. If you need supplies, obtain them. If you need to hire more people, do so." He gave her a clear budget and began arranging the logistics of running the diner. Jake's mother was overwhelmed by his generosity. She immediately agreed and expressed her gratitude.

"Miss Nina really is a good person." Elias only smiled. However, the smile did not reach his eyes.

"I would not say that just yet." … The next day, when Abelina, Jake's mother arrived to begin her duties, the first thing that greeted her was a magical binding device placed in front of her. Elias, who was currently in control of Nina's body, sat calmly across from her.

"Before you begin working, there is something you need to sign." Abelina looked at the magical device with curiosity before approaching it. The contract contained an unbelievable amount of details. Everything was written down. From the food she was responsible for preparing, to the duties she would have inside the establishment, to the people she would be allowed to hire. Even the smallest responsibilities were clearly defined.

The management of money, the distribution of profits, the payment of employees, and the handling of supplies were all included. Nothing was left vague. However, as Abelina continued reading, her expression slowly changed. The contract was strict. Extremely strict. Any violation of the agreement without prior approval would result in severe consequences. The magical contract would automatically activate penalties for breaking its terms.

The most terrifying part was that certain violations would not only affect Abelina herself. They would also affect her child. If she stole money for Jake's future, then Jake would suffer the consequences as well. The curse would slowly take their lives through a painful and unbearable death. Abelina's hands trembled slightly as she continued reading. At that moment, she remembered Nina's words from the previous day. Do not call her a good person. A chill ran down her spine as she looked toward Nina.

The gentle expression from yesterday was gone. Instead, the person sitting before her wore a cold and serious expression. For a moment, Abelina felt as if she was standing before someone completely different. However, she quickly remembered her situation. She was someone from the slums. Someone without status, connections, or abilities. Yet here she was. She had been given a stable job. A place to stay if needed. Three meals a day. A monthly salary of one silver piece.

Not only that, she would be responsible for managing the diner and handling its operations. This was not simply employment. It was an opportunity she would never have imagined receiving. She looked at the other details of the contract. The regular workers would receive thirty silver pieces per month. Although they would have multiple responsibilities, such as helping in the kitchen, cleaning, and serving customers, their working conditions were still far better than anything available in the slums.

Thirty silver pieces. That was more than what many workers earned after exhausting themselves every day in dangerous jobs. Even workers at the coal factories would only receive around twenty silver pieces after working from morning until night, with additional deductions taken from their wages. Compared to that, this contract offered: A fixed schedule. A one-hour lunch break. Two days off each week. A safe workplace. Abelina's hands trembled. This was an incredible opportunity. She looked up.

"May I have a pen?" Elias looked at her with surprise.

"You know how to write?" Abelina's ears turned slightly red.

"Yes. I was the daughter of an illegitimate son of a noble family. My father taught me before he passed away."

"I see." Elias nodded.

"That is perfect." His expression became slightly more interested.

"Do you know accounting?"

"If not, it is fine. I can teach you."

"But the fact that you can read and write is already very useful." Elias pointed toward the magical contract.

"However, I do not need you to write your name here." He motioned toward the magical binding device.

"Place your finger here." Then he pointed to another section.

"And your thumb here."

"This way, if anyone attempts to steal your identity or interfere with the contract, it will not work." Abelina followed his instructions. As her fingers touched the device, the magical contract began glowing. The document slowly turned into countless particles of light before entering both Nina and Abelina's bodies. Elias watched her carefully.

"I hope you understand what I explained." His eyes sharpened. For a moment, his expression resembled someone cornering a helpless creature.

"The conditions where this contract becomes invalid are clearly written." He paused.

"If you break this agreement, your life and your child's life will be forfeited." Abelina immediately nodded. After seeing her response, Elias leaned back. The intimidating expression disappeared, replaced by his usual light smile.

"Great."

"Oh, by the way, I do not know if you noticed, but there is also a clause stating that if you ever wish to quit, all you need to do is inform me."

"The contract will immediately become void."

"And I will still pay you for that month." Abelina blinked. Elias continued.

"Also, if I am the one who decides to dismiss you, I will provide you with enough money to support yourself while searching for another job."

"Half a year's worth of wages." He smiled.

"That should give you enough time to find something suitable."