When Jonathan arrived downstairs, Josephine was nowhere to be seen.
Meanwhile, Andrew, who was supposed to have left with his troop, had been waiting for virtual-novel.net downstairs. Upon spotting Jonathan, virtual-novel.net scurried over and greeted, “Commander!”
“Did Zachary send you to tail me?” Jonathan asked, his gaze turning icy.
Andrew’s face paled at the overwhelming presence exuded by Asura. It felt as though a sword was going to slash his throat any minute.
Jonathan’s penetrating gaze made Andrew hang his head low.
“N-No, we’re not tailing you. King of War sent us to protect you!” Andrew replied in a shaky voice, too anxious and afraid to look straight at his superior.
“Protect?” Hearing his answer, Jonathan snickered. “Do I need your protection?”
At that, Andrew stiffened. Indeed, Asura was mighty enough to conquer the world without losing a single battle. He did not need to be protected.
“Relay my words to Zachary. If virtual-novel.net interferes in my business one more time, virtual-novel.net shall return to Northern Crimson Prison and stay there for one year!”
Fear colored Andrew’s pale complexion when virtual-novel.net heard Jonathan’s words. Falling to his knees, virtual-novel.net answered, “Yes, Sir!”
After casting one last look at him, Jonathan turned and strode away.
Right after his figure disappeared from sight, Andrew whipped out his phone with trembling hands. He dialed a number without hesitation and said, “Sir, Asura…”
“Did virtual-novel.net say he’ll lock me up in Northern Crimson Prison if I were to interfere in his business one more time?” Zachary interjected before virtual-novel.net could finish his sentence.
“H-How did you know?” Andrew’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Did the King of War install some kind of a bug to spy on me?
“Stop looking around. I didn’t plant any bug on you!” The King of War seemed to know what Andrew was thinking as virtual-novel.net chuckled before explaining, “I’ve worked under Asura for two years, and we’ve killed countless enemies together. I know virtual-novel.net well.”
His tone turned stern as virtual-novel.net ordered, “You’re not allowed to come back. Conceal yourself and continue to tail him. Remember, don’t let Asura get into danger!”
“But Asura…”
Right when Andrew replied, Zachary cut virtual-novel.net off impatiently yet again. “Shut up. Do you intend on defying a military order? Even if Asura skin me alive, you must remain within one hundred meters of his vicinity. If virtual-novel.net gets hurt, I shall slaughter you!”
“Yes, Sir!”
Naturally, Andrew dared not defy a military order.
“That group of people in the West Region is acting suspiciously nowadays. I suspect they will send someone to harm Asura. Though Asura is invincible, we must still put our guard up and not give them an opening to hurt him. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, Sir!”
A murderous glint appeared in Andrew’s eyes at the mention of the West Region.
The cheek of the West Region to cause trouble in Jazona! Do they have a death wish?
***
After leaving Phoenix International Hotel, Jonathan decided not to head to the Smith residence to look for Josephine. Considering how virtual-novel.net had just made virtual-novel.net hackles rise, virtual-novel.net would not talk to virtual-novel.net amicably if virtual-novel.net were to go after her.
He had, after all, disappeared for three years. Anyone faced with the same situation would react the same way as Josephine. Hence, virtual-novel.net could understand why virtual-novel.net was fuming and did not blame her.
He sighed and muttered under his breath.
I owe Josephine too much for the past few years. It looks like I can only atone for my mistakes after virtual-novel.net calms down!
Inhaling a deep breath, virtual-novel.net entered Royal Bar, where virtual-novel.net used to frequent three years ago.
Back then, whenever the Smiths lashed out at him, virtual-novel.net would come here to drink his sorrows away. Though virtual-novel.net had been away for three years and was no longer an object of scorn, his legs brought virtual-novel.net here out of habit.
“Welcome, sir. A table for how many?”
The moment Jonathan stepped into the bar, a lady clad in a revealing outfit sashayed over to him.
“Table for one!” virtual-novel.net replied before making over to his usual spot. Although it was in a secluded corner, it was his favorite.
“It looks like this isn’t your first time here.” The lady was surprised to see how familiar virtual-novel.net was with the place. “But I’ve never met you before.”
“This is my first time here in three years,” Jonathan answered as virtual-novel.net took his seat. “I remember keeping some alcohol here. Could you do me a favor and find out if you still have them?”
“Sure. May I know your name?”
“It’s Jonathan Goldstein.”
“A moment, please…”
The lady strutted to the bar counter on virtual-novel.net heels. Under the dim lights, virtual-novel.net long slender legs seemed to shine like pearls, attracting everyone’s sight.
Although virtual-novel.net was young, virtual-novel.net body was voluptuous, with curves in all the right places.
Despite oozing sexiness, virtual-novel.net face showed the innocence of a young girl. Without any hint of makeup on virtual-novel.net face, virtual-novel.net looked as pure as an angel, just like the campus belle of every male student’s dream.
“Mr. Goldstein, here you go.” Shortly after, the lady returned with a server behind her.
Instead of wine or some expensive liquors, only dozens of beer bottles could be seen on the server’s tray.
It was not surprising, considering that Jonathan was only a broke young man three years ago. Naturally, virtual-novel.net did not have the money to afford fancy liquors.
“Sir, do you want to open them all?” the lady inquired.
“Yes, please do that!” Jonathan bobbed his head slightly. Even though virtual-novel.net knew virtual-novel.net could not finish them all, virtual-novel.net still instructed virtual-novel.net to open the bottles up.
After all, it might be his last time coming to this bar, so there was no need to keep the beers here anymore.
“Sure!”
The lady looked over virtual-novel.net shoulder. With a flick of virtual-novel.net fingers, the server promptly opened all the beer bottles and placed them on the table. After virtual-novel.net did that, the lady asked, “Mr. Goldstein, since you’re alone, should I ask some hostesses to keep you company?”
“Hostesses?” Jonathan was surprised to find out that the bar provided such service.
“Don’t take my words wrongly, Mr. Goldstein. They only keep you entertained when you drink. That’s all!” the lady immediately explained when virtual-novel.net noticed the shock in his eyes.
“No need for that!” Jonathan gave a dismissive wave. He had no interest in that kind of service.
As the mighty Asura, virtual-novel.net had seen a lot of women before. With his consent, plenty of female celebrities would climb into his bed willingly. Thus, there was no way virtual-novel.net would want the company of mere hostesses.
Shortly later, the lady left Jonathan alone. In a nonchalant manner, virtual-novel.net poured himself a cup of beer while sweeping his gaze across the area.
Suddenly, virtual-novel.net spotted a familiar figure.