The Deceitful One



Friday, 16th October 1582.

Inside his meditation room, Bryan slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a deep breath. He had just finished a round of meditation and recently he had found out that the silver string which coiled around his mind runes actually assisted him in his meditation!

Although the effects were minuscule, it was there nonetheless. This would mean that he would be able to progress much faster. He couldn't help but be full of awe. Just a simple string from a deity had such effects.

Or perhaps he felt that it looked like just a string to him but in reality, it could be much more profound than that. After all, how can anything given by a deity be simple? He slowly got up to his feet and stretched his arms and legs.

As Bryan continued to advance, he was able to sit for meditation for longer periods of time. For example, just now he had meditated for twelve hours straight. The more he advanced, the less dependent he got on food, water, and sleep. This allowed him to utilize that time for meditation instead.

He then went to the bathroom in his bedroom to freshen up and get ready. Today, he had to meet up with one of the managers under Nicholas Tenant. Over the past week or so, Dillon and Meryl had already introduced him to their respective families.

And as expected, having the young couple know that he was good friends with Grace had a big impact. Their parents were naturally more open to talk to him. They were borderline fawning at him and even requested him to introduce them to Grace.

At the time, Bryan had naturally replied affirmatively but there was no way he would introduce them to Grace, not unless she wanted to that is. And as far as he knew, Grace hated socializing and networking with other people. In her words, she was sick of having people lick her boots.

After getting out of the shower, he went to his wardrobe closet where he started getting ready. A few minutes later, Benny suddenly entered the bedroom through the window and then jumped onto his custom-made bed.

Seeing him out of breath, Bryan couldn't help but chuckle. "How was it?"

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Benny mentally replied as he lay down on his back, 'She's truly a troublemaker.'

Bryan smiled warmly. In the past few months—but only a few days in the Waking World—he had been gathering loads of spiritual materials in the Dreamworld. He would then have Benny deliver a few of them to little Amy.

All these spiritual materials in the form of fruits and berries would nourish little Amy's body and mind and would be of tremendous help to her when she finally became a Transcendent.

Bryan had long since decided that he would take her in as his disciple. He felt that it was his duty; he wanted to fill the void left behind by Detective Watson. Hence, every now and then he would send Benny to play with her and also deliver some spiritual materials for her to consume.

And over the course of the few days, little Amy had grown very fond of Benny. And it seemed that Benny had also taken a liking to her. After all, little Amy would always share food with him whenever he went there.

After getting ready, Bryan looked at himself in the full-body mirror. He was wearing a three-piece black suit, a white shirt, and a black tie. His mustache and goatee were neatly trimmed and his brown hair was properly combed back.

He took out his black, round sunglasses from his pocket watch, wore them, and then asked Benny, "Do you want to come with me?"

Benny lazily shook his head. 'No, I have to accompany little Amy to the park in the evening.'

Bryan couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright then, take good care of her. I'll see you later." With that, he turned around and walked toward the door.

Benny looked in his direction and asked, 'Bryan, when are you planning to meet her?'

Bryan stopped in his steps, turned around, and smiled. "Soon, I hope." He then turned around and went downstairs. He was still thinking of how to meet little Amy, he had to do it under disguise. After all, to the rest of the world—except a few—Bryan had long since gone missing after the death of his teacher.

He went downstairs and had a hearty lunch. He still had about two hours left until his appointed meeting with Nicholas's manager, and he had already prepared on how to impress the other party. He'd make them an offer they simply can't refuse.

Thinking of the 'product' he came up with, Bryan felt a little proud of himself. After all, his idea was truly revolutionary and a money-maker. He was also planning to invest fifty thousand pounds of his own money during the initial phases.

Although he was planning to rob the other party, investing a little bit of his own money would also bring about a layer of trust. And when things finally went down, people would be less likely to suspect him. Besides, in order to make money, one always had to spend money.

After finishing his meal, Donald joined him on his way out. He looked at his assistant and asked, "Everything ready?"

"Yes, master." Donald nodded, however, the hint of nervousness couldn't be hidden in his eyes. After all, this could be considered his first official job as a personal assistant and he didn't want to mess it up.

Bryan looked at him and smiled. "No need to be tense. When we reach that person's office, just follow my lead."

Donald exhaled a heavy breath and nodded solemnly. His eyes now shone with resolve, he did not want to disappoint Bryan. The next moment, he heard his master say, "Go tell Carl to get the car around."

Donald respectfully nodded and walked toward the garage.

...

A luxurious black sedan car traversed the traffic-packed streets of the financial district in Nadir. Bryan looked at the tall buildings and the people hurrying back and forth on the sidewalk.

This was the busiest place in the city. Most of the big businesses and banks had their headquarters here. Moreover, the Nadir Stock Exchange was also located here. Bryan couldn't help but genuinely admire this place.

The tall buildings, the architecture, and the urgency on the faces of the people walking on the streets painted a vivid story. All these things were a testament to how flourishing this city was. After all, a city couldn't thrive without the handwork of its people.

Bryan's car soon stopped in front of a fifteen-story building. On top of the main entrance to this building, a large sign with bold letters was displayed. It read:

Tenant Telephone Company.

When Bryan saw the name on the sign and then at the size of the building, he couldn't help but commend the person behind it. After all, it had only been a few months since the telephone was invented and it had already become such a big company.

One had to know, any company that could afford to buy a building and operate from the financial district in Nadir was beyond wealthy and had massive influence. Thinking of what could have been if he'd been the one to invent the telephone instead, Bryan couldn't help but sigh.

However, the next moment, his lips curled up into a mischievous smile as he thought, 'But this is also good. The seed has long since been planted and the tree has already grown. All I need to do is steal its fruits.'

He then looked at Donald who was sitting in the front, and asked, "Ready?"

Donald confidently nodded. "Yes, Master Anthony."

"Good." Bryan nodded and then alighted from the car, followed by Donald. The duo then straight away entered the building with wide strides. After letting the receptionist know of their reason for visiting, they didn't even have to wait for more than five minutes before someone came to get them.

They rode the elevator all the way to the tenth floor and soon found themselves inside one of Nicholas's manager's office. The manager was a bald man with a thick mustache, he seemed to be in his forties and was currently looking at Bryan with a condescending gaze.

Bryan who had already seated himself, looked at the manager, and chuckled, "Mr. Grant, shouldn't you greet a prospective investor?"

The manager, Hugh Grant, looked at Bryan with narrowed eyes. "Mr. Wayne, I have no need to flatter you. It is you who came to me and not the other way around. So, I will give you five minutes to brief me on what you can offer."

Hugh naturally had the capital to act so arrogantly. After all the company he worked for, Tenant Telephone Company, was doing so well in the market that they were receiving offers from investors every other minute. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry wanted to invest in their company.

Bryan naturally understood this. In reply, he simply chuckled and threw a dossier at Hugh. The latter felt insulted at such behavior by Bryan. He looked at him and was about to admonish, however, Bryan was the first to speak. "Choose your next words carefully, Mr. Grant."

For some reason, Hugh felt his heart palpitate. He gulped nervously and then picked up the dossier and flipped it open. As he read the very first page inside, his eyes gradually widened. He shot up to his feet and looked at Bryan with disbelief, "T-this is ridiculous!!"

Bryan looked at him with a smirk. "Is it, though?"