Mark and Selene each harbored their own hidden calculations, yet by unspoken mutual consent, neither revealed a thing.
After a brief exchange, both came to a unified goal: hunting vampires.
Before that, however, Selene needed to help Mark secure Blue Umbrella.
Blue Umbrella had been built by James Marcus himself, serving as the core domain of the Marcus family right up until his death from illness.
Under James Marcus’s influence, Blue Umbrella maintained countless intricate ties to various vampire factions.
In particular, the Marcus bloodline of vampires under Viktor’s control served as the secret financial backers behind Blue Umbrella.
Equipment such as Selene’s bulletproof leather trench coat, customized firearms, and silver nitrate bullets were all manufactured and supplied directly by Blue Umbrella.
Even the synthetic blood used by internal vampire factions was provided by them.
Taking over Blue Umbrella would not only greatly enhance the strength of Mark and Selene’s faction, but also deal a direct blow to the vampire forces under Viktor’s command.
Having reached a cooperative agreement, Mark and Selene shared a tacit look before turning toward Christine in the distance.
Christine had been watching their negotiations intently from afar.
Seeing them look over in total synchronicity, she couldn’t help but vent internally.
With her extensive experience keeping gigolos over the years, Christine could tell at a single glance that there was a subtle, unspoken spark of flirtatious chemistry between Mark and Selene.
*Bah, what a pair.*
Christine had originally wanted to wait until they fought it out so she could side with the victor.
She hadn’t expected the two to hook up in a matter of minutes.
Especially that bitch Selene—she usually looked as cold and aloof as a goddess of the crescent moon, but turned out to be a superficial sucker for a handsome face.
Mark was completely on his own, possessing nothing but shares in name only.
Sure, he was a little handsome, a little tall, had a great body, a mysterious aura, and talked smart—but what else did he have going for him?
*Pah, shameless.*
Internal complaints aside, Christine had managed to control Blue Umbrella for over a decade as a woman; her professional capability was top-tier.
A perfectly timed, warm smile immediately bloomed across her face as she stepped gracefully toward them.
“Mark, Selene, it seems you two have reached an agreement.
That is simply wonderful.”
“If I didn’t have my family pulling my strings from behind, I would have urged you two to unite from the very start.”
“After all, we are the ones who are true family.” Find the original chapter at g.com.
“Especially little Mark.
With the support of the Marcus family, I am certain you will bounce back in no time and reorganize Umbrella Corporation.”
“And Ms.
Selene, you are truly the most noble and beautiful lady I have ever met.”
“You and little Mark look absolute perfection together.”
With just a few smooth phrases, Christine effortlessly narrowed the distance between herself, Mark, and Selene.
Mark took her words with a grain of salt, quickly pivoting to business.
“Christine, since we’re all on the same side now, I won’t hide anything from you.”
“I’ve settled terms with Selene.
Just as you said, the Marcus family will fully back me in taking back the entire Umbrella Corporation.”
“Once the company is consolidated, I will also assist the Marcus family in expanding into America.”
“Christine, do you and the family behind you agree to this?”
Hearing Mark’s words, Christine stiffened for a fraction of a second.
She quickly recovered her composure, saying, “Of course we agree.
The Henry family has always been a steadfast supporter of the three founding families of Umbrella.”
“Not to mention that the patriarch family of the Marcus line has given their approval.”
“It’s just…
Ms.
Selene, what about Lord Kraven…?”
Selene cut her off coldly.
“Christine Henry, remember this: *I* am Grand Duke Viktor’s adopted daughter.”
Selene had always been distant, but she had never been this assertive.
Christine froze on the spot.
Selene didn’t stop there, continuing coldly, “In a few days, I will have Kraven bring the family documents to sign an official agreement with Mark.”
“The family’s expansion into America is our core strategy.
Christine, I suggest you play smart.”
“If you cooperate fully, what Kraven promised you won’t change.”
“What do you think, Ms.
Christine?”
Ordinary people—especially wealthy, powerful ordinary people—found it nearly impossible to refuse the promise of eternal youth.
Even if it meant transforming into a creature of the dark, they wouldn’t hesitate.
Christine wasn’t a vampire fanatic per se, but ever since she began aging, her shady dealings with vampire factions had never ceased.
However, restoring youth wasn’t something a standard vampire’s First Embrace could accomplish.
To achieve Christine’s goal, the bite had to come from a vampire of at least Viscount rank.
Kraven was the very target Christine had been flattering all along.
That was precisely why Christine had acted so submissive in front of Selene earlier—after all, Kraven was known to be Selene’s bootlicker.
To achieve her own goals, Christine naturally didn’t dare offend Selene.
Now, having secured Selene’s explicit promise, Christine was overjoyed.
“Noble and beautiful lady, every single one of your requests shall be granted,” Christine said without a moment’s hesitation.
“I will notify the entire company immediately to support little Mark—no, to support *President Mark* in integrating Umbrella Corporation.”
In Christine, Mark witnessed a masterclass in sycophancy, a display so shameless it was almost laughable.
Still, basic decorum had to be maintained.
Especially now, when Mark’s hold on power was still entirely hypothetical.
After exchanging a few superficial pleasantries with Christine, the group of three promptly departed the glass cell in the underground Hive.
Under Christine’s arrangement, they checked directly into Blue Umbrella’s internal luxury apartment.
Once everything was settled, Mark was finally able to quiet his mind completely and contemplate which cultivation method he should use to officially step onto the path of cultivation.
Blue Umbrella certainly had no shortage of synthetic blood.
And because Selene herself was a vampire, the luxury apartment occupied by Mark and Selene had direct authorization access to the blood bank.
Even if ninety-nine percent of the blood was synthetically produced, it was still enough to condense a massive amount of essence blood, from which Mark could refine sufficient Primordial True One Qi for his initial cultivation.
Under these circumstances, the only thing left for Mark to determine was which path of cultivation to pursue.
The Blood Dao had never been Mark’s ultimate choice—it was merely a temporary stepping stone.
As for the rest—the World Dao, Reincarnation Dao, Yin-Yang Dao, Life-Death Dao, Slaughter Dao, Karma Fire Dao—Mark simply had too many options to choose from.