Chapter 235: Chapter 235: Jordan
The raw anticipation clawed at Ivy’s heart when she looked at the middleman with shoulder-length black hair and deep black eyes.
The man had sun-kissed skin, and though his looks were average, his eyes flashed with a scheming light every now and then.
A slight stench was lingering around him, causing others in the round to hold their breath.
Ivy, however, was unfazed; her heart was pounding like the hooves of a horse.
’Finally... finally I will get to see my parents!’
The middle-aged man, pretending to be wise and calm, looked around with feigned calmness and began in his deep voice,
"So, where is the food that you have offered?"
"First, tell us the location. As long as we confirm that the information is right, Ronak will hand you the supplies." Ivy replied; her response was so quick that it almost sounded like a scam.
However, the middle-aged man didn’t think so. While entering the living room, a fishy smell had wafted in his nose, and his hanging heart had relaxed.
’Hm... she is speaking the truth mostly. However, I should still take precautions.’ The man thought in his heart.
"Alright. My name is Jordan. Before I tell you the location, give me some advanced payment." Jordan proposed; his voice was laced with absolute certainty.
"How much?" Ivy didn’t haggle. Everything concerning her real family was valuable.
"At least 100 kg of rice." Jordan feigned calmness, but his fist under the table was clenched tightly. Only he knew how nervous he was.
As he saw Ivy’s expression turning grim, Jordan cursed himself in his heart.
’Sh*t... did I ask for too much? What if she declines? God! My greed! I should reduce the price...’
Before he could open his mouth, though, he heard Ivy’s deep, melodious voice, "Alright."
He watched with widened eyes as Ivy nodded at Ronak, their esteemed base leader.
Seeing Ronak’s departing figure, Jordan’s hands turned clammy.
Thump! Thump!
Jordan’s heart trembled with anticipation, and he almost jumped up from his seat in delight.
’Jackpot! I have truly hit a jackpot. If I knew someone could offer so much for Felix and his family, I should have made connections with them... no, wait! I can still do it! I will deliberately make this couple go in circles and build a good relationship with the Nightbanes. Once they completely trust, I will help both sides meet!’
Jordan almost cheered in delight because of his smartness. Thinking about the upcoming good days, he masked the scheming glint in his eyes.
Just then, Ronak entered with two bags of rice. Each of them was 50 kg.
Jordan had to use all of his willpower not to leap out of his chair and hug those bags; instead, he forced himself to look at Ivy.
"Alright then. They are at...."
"Stop." Ivy lifted her hand, her eyes narrowing. For a moment, the atmosphere turned cold, and Jordan suddenly felt an invisible pressure on himself.
Thump! Thump!
Jordan’s heart raced again, but this time it was not out of pleasure but out of pressure. His body tensed up, and his eyes widened in fear.
’What the fuck is happening? God... there is so much pressure in the air... I feel as if... I might die any second...’
"Jordan, before you give me any answer, I want to state two conditions. First, we will go to the location you have told us, and if we don’t find the Nightbane family there for the next 3 days, you will not get any reward."
Jordan’s heart contracted, while her pupil dilated. For a moment, he heavily suspected that Ivy knew about what he was going to do as shame started to claw at his heart.
Ivy smirked when she saw the guilt flashing in Jordan’s eyes.
’Did he truly think that I am blind enough not to see the scheming glint in his eyes? I have lived in the apocalypse far enough to know what kind of scheme a human mind can come up with.’
"Second, if we don’t find them, then you will be blacklisted, and none of your relatives will be allowed to apply. Also, we might demand compensation too." Ivy’s gentle voice sounded like a haunting melody to Jordan.
Jordan gulped and tried his best to remain calm, yet his voice cracked toward the end.
"I know... I know. I never wanted to deceive you in the first place. I... I will tell the truth."
"I am not finished." Ivy still had a polite smile on her face, silencing Jordan’s desperate attempt with her own ruthless words, "I might hold a grudge in case you disappoint me. So... use your chance like your life depends on it. Because it indeed does."
Silas’s heart pounded on seeing the sly expression on Ivy’s face, coupled with a dangerous glint, and he almost wanted to rush up to her and kiss her.
’My god... my Ivy... truly looks like a sin. A hot, intoxicating sin I want to commit!’
Feeling tightness in his lower abdomen, Silas closed his eyes in dismay.
"Are you aroused, Silas?" A deep masculine voice echoed near his ears, and Silas gritted his teeth.
"Drake will love to hear the personal dirty name you have selected for him and never dare to say loudly."
Ronak jumped away from Silas as if he were scalded and looked at Silas with a wronged gaze. "Hey... dude, you... why can’t you take a joke well?"
Silas ignored him and focused his attention on the masterpiece of God: Ivy.
By now, Jordan was shaken to the core and didn’t dare to hide anything from Ivy. All the schemes left his mind.
"They are residing in the Fortis base. It is just 20 km from here."
"How do you know?" Ivy asked with a narrowed gaze; she looked like a cop interrogating a criminal.
"The Nightbane family had issued a mission asking if anyone knew about a girl with pink hair and promised to give 1000 kg of rice as a reward..."
Midway through his sentence, Jordan froze.