Jack squinted his eyes as he walked out of the Last Stop Garage. The deal went through without any problems and Jack became the majority owner of the garage after spending a hundred grand.
Thankfully, I had the money.
Initially, Mira only wanted twenty thousand dollars for 11% ownership. But Jack countered her for quintupling the price and shares. Mira was hesitant to accept such an offer, since she would lose the ownership, but the Old man came in clutch and pushed her to sign for it.
Despite wanting freedom, Mira had little business acumen. Her grandfather, Mr. Oshineda, was much better in that aspect. Since Mira wouldn't let him help her, Jack, as the majority owner, hired Oshineda as a consultant.
Mira was surprised, and realized it too late that she had been played and Oshineda and Jack had planned for it.
Jack got the majority ownership of the garage, while Oshineda got an opportunity to teach Mira about business and Mira got her funds.
A complete win for all parties involved.
"Even though you tricked me," Mira said, smiling. "I hope our partnership continues to bloom."
She offered her hand, which Jack shook with a smile. Although the smile faltered when Jenna's voice appeared in his head.
[New target marked.]
[Mira Oshineda: affection 7%]
…of course. How many girls is it now?
[You have seven targets.]
Jenna showed off her mind reading ability and summoned the entire list in front of him before he asked for it.
===
• Cindy Myers: Gold Maiden. Affection: 37%
• Jessica Pearson: Silver maiden. Affection: -15%
• Angela Jolie: Silver maiden. Affection: 29%
• Miyuki Mehra: Silver maiden. Affection: 2%
• Anika Mehra: Bronze maiden. Affection: 5%
• Anna Simorelli: Diamond maiden. Affection: 32%
• Mira Oshineda: Gold maiden. Affection: 7%
===
Jessica? Who is that—oh, that horny scientist? I almost forgot about her.
It was ironic that he forgot about the only woman he had been intimate with. However, it wasn't surprising she held a negative view of him. After all, she didn't get what she wanted from him, and instead left evidence of her crimes with him.
Fortunately, Jack held all the cards in their relationship, and even if she had a poor image of him, he could change that.
…I left my things at Granny's, so might as well collect them when I'm there.
Jack's things also included the recorder and the cryotube Jessica wanted. Those two things were his trump card to deal with her.
For now, he had other things to focus on.
"Barco, call a towing company and take that bike home," he said. "I'll fix it there."
Barco nodded, and off he went before Jack could correct himself.
That mute fucker would actually call them and not say a word. What a drag…
Jack shook his head and turned to his other bodyguard.
"Takeshi, bring the car around."
Unlike Barco, Takeshi didn't seem to be a big fan of his. He left to complete the order like Barco, but didn't bother with pleasantries, even if it only included nods.
"Mr. Mills, may I ask who they are?" Mr. Oshineda asked.
Oshineda had seen his fair share of bodyguards and knew the two around Jack were more capable than twenty of his own. No ordinary man could command such people, and it made him curious regarding jack's background.
Jack smiled awkwardly, wondering what to tell him.
As he had suspected, Oshineda had run a background check on him, but couldn't find anything. It was as if all his records had been wiped off the national registry. Even his name, Jack Mills, was only a day old.
But it wasn't too worrying, considering New Borealis offered citizenships in exchange of investments. Oshineda thought someone like Jack must have gotten their documents recently.
Only Jack knew it was Anna's doing. She had altered his name to Mills and gave him a clean slate to build on. Even though she was obsessed with Jack Miller, it seemed like she only wanted him to be "Miller" when they were alone. To the rest of the world, he was just Jack Mills.
"Mr. Mills?"
"Oh, yes, Mr. Oshineda! I apologize for getting lost in my thoughts," Jack smiled. "They are just some people my family hired for me. You see, I was attacked yesterday by a gang called Claws. So my family was worried and hired them for my safety."
"The Claws? My god, why are they after you?" Mira asked, gasping in fear.
[Target: Mira Oshineda's affection +1%]
[Current Affection: 8%]
[$100 was added to the card.]
[Current Balance: $932,199]
Even this increases affection? Interesting.
"I saw them hurting a girl, so I stepped in, and well, things escalated from there on. Thankfully, a cop showed up to save them, or I think I'll be in prison for killing them, haha!"
"Oh… I never took you for a brawler, Mr. Mills," Mira said, her smile widening.
[Target: Mira Oshineda's affection +5%]
[Current Affection: 13%]
[$500 was added to the card.]
[Current Balance: $932,699]
Seems Mira's into heroes. It'll be easier to win her over. Though I have to be careful. One mistake and her grandpa will bury me six feet under.
Jack then remembered he was a retired crime lord. There was no way in hell Oshineda could do anything to him while Anna was supporting him.
Yes, Anna would save me from him before killing me herself for messing with other women.
Just because Anna said they had nothing going on, didn't mean she couldn't change her mind later if he actually got with someone. Despite her reassurances, Jack was in no hurry to test her patience.
Before they could continue their conversation, Takeshi returned, driving the Range Rover SV.
Yes, a car worth over three hundred thousand dollars was the cheapest car in the crime lord Jack Miller's collection. Jack had never been so happy and jealous of himself before.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Jack said, waving at them as they sped away.
"Mira, what do you think about Jack?"
"…he's alright, I guess."
Oshineda looked at her and nodded. She said he was alright, but then why was her face turning red?
Just then, a notification flashed before Jack's eyes.
[Side quest Complete: Public Blush. (Made someone blush in public)]
[Reward: 30 EP]
[Current EP: 100]
Eh…?
—x—
At first jack wanted to meet Granny, but decided against it. The deal and formalities regarding the garage took most of the day. He had to get ready for the Gala too, hence he asked Takeshi to head home.
"Gotta say the old me had good taste," Jack smiled, fixing his cufflinks.
Unfortunately, the tuxedo Cindy picked for him was left at Granny's home, so Jack picked something that resembled the other tuxedo. He was about to fix his tie when the door opened and Anna walked in.
Jack caught her reflection in the mirror and was stunned.
Anna was wearing a black high-cut dress that showed off her white as snow thighs. When she turned around to show her back, Jack could make out the smooth line of her spine through the backless part of the dress.
"You're already dressed. Good," she said, stepping closer to him. "You have to accompany me tonight."
Jack didn't even utter a word when she reached to fix his tie. Once done, she handed him a necklace before turning around.
Anna pulled her hair in front, giving him a better look at her back.
"Could you help me with that?" she asked. "I don't enjoy being touched by anyone else but... you did it for me before, so I thought…"
"Of course."
He still remembered how she reacted before Barco gave her the DNA report. It seemed she had some trauma with illness or dirt, and in her mind, he was the only one clean.
"But before that…"
Jack reached around her waist, gently pulling her close. He leaned in to put the necklace on her, only to whisper his desires in her ear.
"You look irresistible in that dress, Anna."
[Target: Anna Simorelli's affection +0.5%]
[Current Affection: 32.5%]
[$5,000 was added to the card.]
[Current Balance: $937,699]
Anna didn't reply, but the notification told Jack everything. But he was even more surprised that half a percentage increase got him five thousand dollars.
I wonder what will happen if the affection decreases… don't tell me they'll take my money away.
Jack didn't have to wait long to find it out, either. After all, he was going to turn her down.
"Unfortunately, I gave my word to a friend," he said. "I'll accompany her to a gala—"
"Her?"
[Target: Anna Simorelli's affection -1%]
[Current Affection: 31.5%]
[$10,000 was deducted from the card.]
[Current Balance: $927,699]
Fuck!
As much as Jack wanted to curse out loud, he had to calm Anna down before she made him bankrupt.
"She's just a friend. I would still be on the streets if it weren't for her."
"I see… I should thank this friend of yours, then."
[Target: Anna Simorelli's affection +0.5%]
[Current Affection: 32%]
[$5,000 was added to the card.]
[Current Balance: $932,699]
"I'll ask her about it," Jack said, trying to smooth the situation.
"No need. I'll meet her soon."
Just like that, Anna left the room without speaking another word. Jack let out a sigh of relief. He thought the system was there to help him, but now he realized being a playboy was much easier without a system micro-analyzing his actions.
"Wait… what did she mean she'll meet her soon? Don't tell me she's going to kidnap any girl I talk to!?"