Chapter 798 Making a Deal
Rylan waited long, but Catherine didn’t show up. One of his men informed him that she had returned to the school. Based on Catherine’s personality, she was unlikely to be in the laboratory.
“Could she still be in the dormitory?” Rylan wondered, not wanting to wait. He decided to go and check the situation in the dormitory. Before he could leave, his phone buzzed. He took out his phone, stepped aside, and answered the call. “Speak,” he said, his tone devoid of any emotion.
The person on the other end said something to Rylan, and his eyes instantly darkened, his previously gentle demeanor totally gone. “Wait for me. I’ll be there soon,” he said before hanging up.
The sparsely decorated room contained only a bed and a chair. Ronin sat in the chair, enjoying a delicious meal specially prepared for him. Ever since he shared the special means of contact with Catherine, his life here had been much better. What Catherine said was indeed true-one should learn to look after oneself. Although he had lost his freedom, he lived quite comfortably here.
Ronin wasn’t originally supposed to stay here. He had been transferred to this place the day before. With his keen intuition, he was certain that something had happened.
As Ronin heard footsteps approaching, a cold glint flashed in his eyes. Then, he continued to eat his food, looking completely at ease.
When the man in the mask entered the room and saw what Ronin was doing, he suppressed his anger, walked towards Ronin, and looked at the food on the table. “I’ve fulfilled what I owe you. Now it’s time for you to pay something back to me,” the man in the mask said. “Or perhaps you want to return to your previous life. But I assure you, it will only be more painful.” His voice was menacing, each word a threat.
Ronin’s expression remained relaxed, as if he didn’t take the threats seriously. He lifted his head and pointed his chin at the man in the mask. “Stop with the tough talk. I’m not easily scared. If you’ve got the guts, just kill me,” he said, causing the man in the mask to feel somewhat at a loss.
He currently had no way to kill Ronin, and there were orders from his immediate superior-under no circumstances could Ronin be killed unless absolutely necessary.
“Ronin Oconnor, just because I spared your life doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. I can make your life a living hell. Do you believe me?
“Humph!” Ronin sneered. “I surely believe you. But you don’t have to keep threatening me. Just tell me what you want, and I’ll do my best. I will keep my promise. And you, state your purpose. You keep beating around the bush like an old woman. How do you even get anything done?”
The man in the mask hadn’t expected Ronin to scold him. It irritated him to no end, but he had no way to deal with Ronin. Their original plan was for Ronin to come begging for them to let him go. But Ronin seemed unconcerned about his freedom, willingly cooperating with them, which seemed very strange. “Do you know what experiments Catherine Swann is conducting?” he finally asked.
Ronin looked up at the man in the mask with disdain. “I’m just a cybercafe manager who barely finished a few years of schooling. I know a bit about computers, but that doesn’t mean I understand such complex experiments!
Ronin had once worked as a cybercafe manager just to use the computers. He always addressed himself as a cybercafe manager. However, his story might deceive the ignorant but not the man in the mask. He was well aware of Ronin’s abilities, knowing that Ronin’s computer skills were second only to Catherine’s.
“Ronin, you don’t need to beat around the bush with us. We know your capabilities better than you do. Our condition is simple. We want the results of Catherine’s experiments. If you can make it happen, we’ll meet any of your demands,” the man said.
His words piqued Ronin’s interest. He looked eagerly at the man in the mask and laughed out loud. “Hah, I want you dead. How about that?”
The man in the mask froze, his eyes blazing with anger.
Ronin noticed his expression. He knew how furious the man was. “You said you’ll meet any of my demands, didn’t you? Well, don’t make empty promises, “Ronin said disdainfully.
The eyes of the man in the mask darkened. Just as Ronin thought the man was about to lose his temper, the man said coldly, “Fine, I promise you!”
Ronin was shocked, looking at him with a look of disbelief on his face.
The man in the mask thought that Ronin didn’t believe him and emphasized once again, “As long as you can get the experimental results, you can take my life at any time!”
Realizing the man wasn’t joking, Ronin couldn’t help but applaud. “Wow, you’re really a tough guy! Can’t believe you’ll agree to such conditions. Well, I admire you! But then again, I was just kidding earlier. Even if you give me your life, I don’t want it.”
“You…” Upon hearing Ronin’s words, the man in the mask couldn’t control himself any longer.
Just as the man was about to lose his temper, Ronin quickly patted his shoulder, signaling for him to calm down. “Don’t get so worked up. Can you just listen to my explanation?”
Under Ronin’s soothing words, the man in the mask’s emotions calmed down a bit.
Ronin looked at him helplessly and said, “Since you know enough about us, then you should know Catherine hasn’t yet completed her experiment. In that case, how can I get the results for you? Even if you gave me a second life, I still couldn’t give you the experimental results.”
The man in the mask remained silent, gesturing for Ronin to continue speaking.
“You only want the experimental results, right?” Ronin asked.
Faced with Ronin’s question, the man in the mask silently nodded.
Ronin then proposed a relatively feasible suggestion to him. “If the experiment could easily succeed, the whole world wouldn’t be focusing on Catherine. I can’t guarantee that I can get the experimental results for you, but I can promise that I will do everything I can to get the experimental data. Is that okay?”
Before the man in the mask could respond, Ronin issued a warning. “This is my biggest concession. Don’t push your luck, okay?”
Hearing this, the man in the mask voiced his doubts. “Then tell me, the laboratory is heavily guarded. And Catherine’s data is top-secret. How will you get it?” They had considered breaking into the laboratory to steal the data, but it was simply impossible on a technical level.
Ronin looked arrogantly at the man. Don’t forget what my specialty is.
Besides, Catherine can’t guard against me. I know her too well. I’ll agree to your condition if you’re willing to set me free. This is the only condition I’ll accept. Nothing else.” Ronin’s attitude was firm, not at all like someone being coerced. It was more like they were the ones seeking Ronin’s help.
The man in the mask knew that they couldn’t currently negotiate a new outcome and could only proceed according to Ronin’s demand for the time being.
