Lucian blinked, then sighed.
There were always two types of peoplebthose who refused to let their daughters anywhere near him and those who pushed their daughters toward him at full force.
And Valdmir Malvic clearly belonged to the latter.
Of course, friendship was fine, but as for a life partner?
That was a hard pass.
Lucian was direct. “Friendship is fine, but marriage? Not happening.”
Valdmir’s smile didn’t waver. Instead, he nodded as if he had already expected this answer.
“Of course, of course. Just friendship.”
But internally, Valdmir was already calculating.
Men at his level of power can’t be bound directly. But if Klara could get close to Lucian, if she could establish a connection, who’s to say what might happen later?
Starting as friends isn’t bad.
A union between their families would make the Malvic household the strongest among the Seven Peak Families.
This was a long-term game.
Lucian saw right through his thoughts but didn’t bother entertaining them.
Instead, he changed the subject.
“So, what was the real reason you called me here, Mr. Valdmir?”
Valdmir laughed. “Ahh, nothing major, just some business opportunities.”
He leaned back slightly. “That technology you showed earlierbit was spectacular. I was thinking of getting an opportunity to invest, maybe even acquire some advanced weaponry nukes, and all that.”
Lucian raised a brow.
Valdmir chuckled, shaking his hands as if dismissing his own words.
“But now, after knowing your real identity, I understand. Family secrets are family secrets.”
He sighed, not even trying to hide his disappointment.
“We, as Golden Card holders, are not allowed to interfere in each other’s businesses or disrupt the balance. So, I can’t pursue it any further.”
Lucian simply nodded.
“Good.”
There was a thin layer of warning in that one word.
With that, he pushed his chair back and stood up.
“I’ll be leaving, then, brother Valdmir.”
He had no reason to stay here anymore.
This meeting served its purpose an excuse to get out of that place.
“Leaving so soon?” Valdmir’s eyebrows raised, but he quickly recovered.
“Ahh, of course! You must be busy. Let’s meet again next time when you’re free!” He laughed. “I look forward to it, brother Lucian!”
Though his words were casual, his actions were not.
He stood up as well.
That alone was a sign of respect.
Lucian noticed.
Despite his carefree attitude, Valdmir was a man who only stood for equals.
Now, he was standing for Lucian.
As they walked toward the exit, Valdmir casually threw an arm over Lucian’s shoulder.
“Brother Lucian, let’s exchange phone numbers! If you ever need anything, just call me. I’ll help you with anything, anytime!”
Alex, who was walking behind them, took a slight step away.
His mind was still struggling to process how Lucian went from being a guest to being on equal terms with one of the Seven Patriarchs.
Lucian, on the other hand, sighed.
“Ah, well I just lost my phone, actually.”
Valdmir laughed.
“Not a problem! Let me gift you a new one!”
As they stepped out of the room, the heavy steel doors slid open automatically.
Just outside, Valdmir’s personal butler stood waiting.
But the moment he saw his master’s arm around Lucian, his expression subtly shifted.
He was surprised.
After all, Valdmir was not a man who casually offered physical closeness.
But before he could dwell on that thought, his master’s voice snapped him back.
“Butler, give me a new phone set.”
There was an unspoken message in Valdmir’s eyes.
The butler understood immediately.
Without hesitation, he reached inside his coat and smoothly pulled out a sleek, white-colored smartphone.
“Here, sir.”
He handed it over with a slight bow.
Valdmir took the phone, casually tapping on it for a few seconds before handing it over to Lucian.
“Here, brother Lucian. I’ve already saved my number in it. Just give me a call whenever you need anything.”
Lucian glanced at the phone in his hand.
For a brief second, he thought about rejecting it.
But then… he didn’t.
“Ah, thanks.”
He took it.
Lucian and Alex sat in the back seat of the car, ready to leave.
“Also, complete the thing I asked you to do.”
Lucian’s voice was casual yet firm as he turned toward the butler.
The butler, always precise, nodded. “That general’s daughter? Sure, sir. I will handle it.”
Lucian gave a small nod before leaning back in his seat and closing the car door.
Valdmir, who had been watching the exchange, turned to his butler.
But this time, his tone was different.
Completely different from the warmth and familiarity he had shown Lucian just moments ago.
“You didn’t disrespect him, did you?”
His voice was cold. Authoritative.
The butler’s posture remained straight, but there was a slight pause before he responded.
“Of course not, sir.”
“I never used any foul moves. Since it was a personal order from you to begin with, I acted accordingly.”
There was a brief pause.
Then a confession.
“Though, if I may speak freely, his background was… disappointing.”
The butler’s eyes darkened slightly.
“Even when he was being disrespectful, I controlled myself.”
A flicker of something dangerous passed through his gaze.
“But I had already planned to make a personal move if he proved to be undeserving.”
There was a challenge in his voice.
He was questioning. Testing.
But Valdmir simply sighed.
“And now? After seeing how I treat him, you think he must be important?”
The butler’s sharp eyes studied his master. “That’s correct.”
A small smirk touched Valdmir’s lips.
“He’s not some big spoon who was born into power.”
“He himself is a big deal.”
The butler’s gaze narrowed slightly. “How big?”
Valdmir exhaled deeply.
And then he said the one thing that changed everything.
“That young man, just 18 or 19 years old, is a holder of a Golden Black-Grade Black Order Card.”
The butler froze.
For the first time, true shock flickered in his usually composed eyes.
“This This is impossible.”
His head turned slightly, as if to confirm whether Valdmir was joking.
But Valdmir’s face remained completely serious.
The butler forced himself to remain composed, but his posture had changed.
Valdmir exhaled again, shaking his head.
“Yeah… Just go. After you drop him off, come straight back.”
His eyes hardened.
“And”
He glanced at the butler with a sharp, knowing look.
“Invite the other six family heads.”
There was no hesitation in his tone. “Tell them it’s serious.”
A deep silence followed his words.
The butler said nothing.
Only a slow nod.
But internally he felt a rare sense of relief.
It’s good I didn’t make any foolish moves.
Because now, he understood.
Without another word, the butler turned and stepped into the car.
WHOOSH.
The vehicle vanished back into the same Quantum Portal they had arrived from.
Valdmir watched the last traces of blue light flicker.
Then, with one final sigh
He turned and started walking toward an unknown destination.
—