"Work for the Smith family? What do you mean?"
Entering the car, still somewhat confused, she knew that even someone at the bottom of the barrel like her knew how powerful the Smith family was.
If with a single phone call he had dealt with the bullies who had tormented her life so much.
Wouldn’t it be easy for him to also deal with her?
Staring at Ethan, she refused to blink.
’I’m sorry kids, but if it really comes down to it, I’m afraid I won’t be able to come back,’ she whispered inwardly, a look of determination on her face.
If he really did save her for her body, then before he could do anything, she would bite her own tongue and end her life.
"Hahaha, what are those eyes for, relax."
"I know you don’t quite trust me, but I’m serious."
"You might not know it yet, but you, Victoria, are very talented."
"So much so that there are few people in the world who can actually compare to you."
"It’s because of this talent, that the Smith family, no I need you!"
Driving the car, Ethan looked at the blue-haired girl seated beside him.
Even after learning his identity, she still didn’t give up.
Her eyes seemed to tell him that she was done being stepped on.
If he tried anything, then she would try to take him down with her.
’Should I say as expected of the future ice queen, perhaps it’s this mindset of hers that helped her reach S-class.’
’Someone like her, as long as she doesn’t fall it’s hard to see her limit.’
As he stared into her confused face, Ethan didn’t care about the beauty.
In his eyes, all he could see was someone who would help him dominate the coming apocalypse.
He also wondered if he would be able to deduce and understand her ice powers when she awakened.
’Grrr~’
Just as he was lost in thought, a low growling sound rumbled beside him.
Looking at Victoria who was blushing in embarrassment, he couldn’t help but laugh.
"Haha, never mind, let’s talk more after we get something to eat."
"I’m also hungry," he said with a smile.
And with that, they both left the stunned school premises and headed to a nearby restaurant.
.......
Leaving the school, the ride wasn’t too long, nor was it too short.
It was only about thirty minutes.
However, in that drive, neither Ethan nor Victoria said anything to each other.
Ethan was lost in his thoughts thinking about all the things he had to accomplish before the apocalypse.
And Victoria was also lost in thought.
She wondered things like whether there was still any point in going back to school after this.
She wondered if she committed some kind of crime in her past life to suffer like this.
However even then, from time to time she would still pop a smile as she remembered the faces of her younger siblings in the orphanage.
It was these same siblings that had made it possible for her to continue going on in the first place.
They were the reason for her being alive today.
"Hey, is the food really that good? Sorry it’s not some five-star restaurant."
"However I can vouch for the quality; I’ve been coming here secretly since I was a kid."
Wearing a cap, a pair of sunglasses, and a scarf to hide his face, Ethan brought Victoria to his favourite barbecue shop.
A small kiosk, he had first visited with his parents back when they were alive.
"You know this place has a lot of history with me, back when my mom and dad were still alive."
"They would take my sister and me here while hiding our faces like this, and we would have barbecue all night."
"Back then dad would drink so much that mom would get angry and begin to hit him over his head."
"My sister and I seeing this would laugh and the uncle who owns this shop would come to beg for Dad at the end."
Talking about his parents, Ethan had a genuine smile on his face.
Time with them was genuinely the happiest time of his life.
"Oh... I see, I’m sorry for your loss..." muttered Victoria.
Although she had never had parents herself, she could see the pain and love in Ethan’s eyes as he spoke about them.
"Haha no no, it’s fine; if anything I should be saying sorry to you."
"I suddenly barged into your school, then took you to some unknown restaurant before talking about my dead parents."
"However what I said in the car was indeed true; you do have talents Victoria."
"In fact, it’s a talent so incredible that it’s hard to find in the world," he paused.
"Victoria, if you promise to work for the Smith family, I promise you will never be bullied like before."
"But I can guarantee you wealth beyond what you can imagine."
Yes, even if he had to give her millions to join, Ethan didn’t mind that.
As long as he could get her to move with him and the rest of his family when the apocalypse started and be on his side.
Then Ethan was satisfied.
After all, money would soon lose all value, and if she started working with me during the apocalypse.
He can slowly make her get used to it, and build her loyalty.
Now all he had to do was to get her to say yes.
"Silence...."
"...."
Listening to Ethan’s words she didn’t know what to say.
Not only did she not know what this talent he spoke about was.
But she herself knew that even if she was offered all the money in the world, she was not in a condition where she could agree.
"I’m sorry Ethan, but even though your offer is nice."
"But unfortunately, I’ll have to say no."
"Thank you for the food, but then I’ll be on my way."
Dropping the fork that held a piece of chicken, she didn’t know exactly where she was and how to get home.
Victoria planned to leave.
"Wait!" Ethan said as he tugged on her sleeve exposing her collarbone.
On it, was a small joker tattoo with a K in the top right corner.
"Victoria.. that tattoo..."
"What connection do you have with the Clown Gang?" Asking this, Ethan’s face turned deadly serious as he remembered something.
And Victoria , hearing the name Clown Gang, turned pale with fright.