The Retired CEO's Guide To Being Spoiled-Chapter 148: The Murky Waters of Saint Lawrence (2)

Ethan took the empty glass from Julian, placing it aside: "Even the "new money" families who have only recently gained a foothold in this circle, like the Sterling family, have likely caught wind of some vague rumors. That is probably why Aaron Sterling is so desperate, clinging to those other figures like a drowning man clutching at driftwood. He senses the shift, even if he doesn’t understand it. Perhaps in the coming time, you will encounter a few more key players who are stepping out of the shadows."

Ethan let out a long, weary sigh, the sound of a man carrying a heavy burden: "It is not a coincidence that Seraphina Cole agreed to collaborate with us. Perhaps she, too, does not wish to sit still and wait for the tide to turn against her. However, there is one thing she was right about, you truly are not bad. You have impressed them."

Julian furrowed his brow, not entirely comprehending the full scope of what Ethan was alluding to. The politics of the ancient families were a labyrinth he had only just begun to navigate. But Ethan did not offer a detailed explanation. He seemed to decide that enough had been said for one night.

"That matter is still far off in the future, you do not need to worry your pretty head about it right now." Ethan said, shifting gears: "Right now, your only job, your absolute priority, is to rest and recover properly."

The man slid off the bed, his tall frame looming in the soft light. He tidied up the remaining items, moving the rolling cart away from the bedside. Then, he leaned over, tucking the duvet around Julian’s shoulders with tender precision, ensuring no drafts would chill him. He placed a soft, feather-light kiss on Julian’s forehead.

"You can rest a bit more. The transfer assessment exam is coming up soon. Furthermore, our project has officially kicked off. In the coming days, things will likely not be as gentle or leisurely as this."

Hearing the logic in Ethan’s words, Julian nodded obediently, retracting his limbs and snuggling deeper into the warmth of the blankets until only his eyes and nose were visible.

Ethan smiled at the sight and began to push the rolling cart toward the door. Just as his broad back was about to disappear into the hallway, Julian called out to him, his voice slightly muffled by the duvet.

"Later... could you bring my laptop over for me?"

Ethan paused, turning his head slightly: "I know. I will bring it over with a small bed desk for you in a little while."

"Okay."

It was only when the man had fully departed, and the door clicked softly shut, that Julian finally stopped staring at the empty space where Ethan had been. The silence of the room descended upon him, heavy and thick.

At this moment, freed from the distraction of Ethan’s presence, Julian’s thoughts began to drift, untethered and wild. His mind, always sharp and calculating, began to run simulations, plotting out every possible path.

What exactly did those cryptic words from Ethan mean?

What was the "true face" of Saint Lawrence City that Ethan had spoken of with such gravity? What kind of mystery lay buried beneath the foundations of this metropolis? It had to be something colossal, something massive enough to force the "favored sons of heaven", the heirs of the great families like Gabriel and Cedric, to emerge from their towers and enter the fray one by one.

It felt as though the very ground beneath the city was shifting, preparing for an earthquake that only the animals could hear coming.

Too many variables. Too many unknowns. For a fleeting moment, Julian felt a sense of chaotic disorientation. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to organize the jumbled mess of information. A moment later, he exhaled a long, sharp breath, forcing his heart rate to slow.

Fine, he thought to himself. Let it be.

For the time being, he would follow Ethan’s advice. He would adopt the strategy of the turtle, slow and steady. He would focus entirely on the transfer exam to secure his academic standing and dedicate his energy to developing the virtual reality project. Those were tangible, controllable goals. As for the other lurking shadows, he would not dip his hands into that murky water just yet. After all, Ethan had given him a heads-up; sooner or later, the curtain would be pulled back, and Julian would see the stage for what it was.

And as for Grandpa Arthur...

If the old man had not made a move to expose him yet, if the lines were not yet clearly drawn in the sand, then Julian would maintain the status quo. Silence was golden. He would continue to play his part.

Reflecting on the evening, Julian realized that their recent conversations, this one and the one prior, had marked a significant shift in their relationship. He and Ethan had been far more honest with each other than ever before. It felt less like a transaction and more like a partnership. It had bonded them closer. Julian did not know what the future held for them, or where this strange dynamic would lead, but in the present moment, he found himself surprisingly satisfied with this level of intimacy and trust. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Forget it. Let the future worry about the future.

Julian wriggled deeper into the nest of blankets, adjusting his body to find the most comfortable position for his poor, overworked waist. The soreness was a lingering reminder of the man’s intensity. He wanted to snatch a little more rest. Once he woke up, the respite would be over. There were mountains of work waiting for him.

Julian had a sinking feeling, a premonition, that the things he would have to face in the near future might be far more terrifying than anything he had anticipated. Perhaps this hidden layer of society, this "true face", was the great mystery buried deep within the plot of the novel, the part of the story he had never managed to read before transmigrating here.

And currently, there was one thing he could say with absolute certainty: the Game of Thrones in this city was only just beginning its opening act.

And this pool of muddy water, swirling with hidden currents and dangerous predators, had already begun to reach out its tendrils, grabbing hold of the ankles of Julian Sterling, a man who had originally planned only for a life of leisure, and dragging him inexorably into the depths.