Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 919, Section 129: Zechi Perares
"This is our first time meeting, isn't it, KK?"

Jefferson Perales walked into the restaurant, his gaze sweeping over the lowered bulletproof windows before finally settling on Karl, who had revealed his true face. He said in a complicated tone, "Looks like you're being cautious."

“Just necessary preparations.” Carl’s voice was calm and emotionless. “After all, I’m meeting with a potential future mayor, and I’ve had my meals interrupted a few times before. I don’t want that to happen again.”

As he spoke, Carl gestured to the empty surroundings: "I booked the whole place. Luckily, the restaurant owner is an old acquaintance, so he didn't charge me much. They are all trustworthy people and are busy in the kitchen right now. I've also activated the jamming equipment to ensure that our conversation won't be disturbed by outsiders."

His gaze fell on Jefferson and the slightly nervous young woman beside him.

“Now,” Carl nodded slightly to the seat opposite him, “please have a seat, Mr. Jefferson, and this young lady.”

Both Jefferson Peralez and the young woman beside him appeared somewhat nervous in response to KK's words.

However, this is a perfectly normal thing.

In Night City today, and even in the whole world, how many people can meet KK without feeling nervous without bodyguards?

Although well-informed people know that KK is not the kind of crazy person who kills people when he is unhappy, it is like a person standing next to a fully grown tiger without any protection.

Even if the zookeeper repeatedly assures you that it won't attack you, can you really stay calm and not worry about that tiny possibility?
Not to mention that when facing KK, the gap is much greater than the gap between a human and a tiger.

When Jefferson Perales and the young woman next to him sat down opposite Carl somewhat stiffly and nervously, Carl was in no hurry to start talking business.

"This restaurant operates on an à la carte basis, and it uses a rather old-fashioned menu. I imagine you must be hungry, so let's order first."

As Carl spoke, he naturally rose slightly and handed a menu to Jefferson Peralez: "I personally recommend the cream soup and potato omelet. Of course, the seafood paella is also good. A friend of mine who was born in Spain loves it and thinks it's very authentic. There's no need to be so nervous. Order whatever you like. As the host, it's on me."

Carl's voice seemed to carry a sense of comfort, and as he calmly introduced himself as if he were simply there for a meal, Jefferson Peralez and the young woman beside him visibly relaxed.

While the tension hasn't been completely eliminated, the stiffness in the performance has lessened somewhat.

Jefferson Peralez took the menu.

He was very nervous when he first arrived, intending to talk to Karl as soon as he sat down, because he was unsure of KK's personality and didn't know what kind of person this famous figure was, whether he only liked to talk about tasks, and whether he was as concise and quick as possible.

But now it seems that KK is not that kind of person. His ordinary hospitality actually brought Jefferson Perales back to the calm he had in politics.

"I'll just do as you recommend, two portions like this."

Despite this, Jefferson Perales still showed a certain degree of caution, but Carl didn't seem to care too much about his carefulness, as if he was afraid of saying the wrong thing or that ordering food that didn't suit Carl's taste and would make Carl angry.

Having met many people, Jefferson Perales' performance was quite good, much better than those gangsters who would wet their pants in fear upon meeting him.

“Two portions then.” Carl called out to the couple he already knew, who ran a Western restaurant, explaining that he wanted two more portions according to his order. Then, his gaze fell on the awkward and nervous girl next to Jefferson Perales.

Carl hadn't looked closely just now, even though he had already seen through all the weaknesses in the girl's movements when she appeared outside the restaurant.
He assured her that if he wanted to, he could eliminate the woman in the quickest and easiest way, but he didn't look closely at her face.

Looking at it closely now, this girl is actually quite pretty.

She had short, curly black hair that fell smoothly over her shoulders, the strands gleaming with a healthy sheen in the restaurant's soft lighting.

She was wearing a well-tailored pale yellow casual outfit. The top was made of a slightly elastic fabric, revealing half of her body and perfectly outlining her beautiful shoulder line and waist.
The matching trousers are neat and crisp, giving off a composed yet soft, curvaceous look.

The young woman's outfit appeared understated and simple, but the details were quite sophisticated. At a glance, it was clear that it was the work of a professional. At least from Karl's perspective, it suited the young woman quite well.

It's better than Ms. Michiko's overly avant-garde aesthetic.

Carl's gaze lingered for a moment between the young woman and Jefferson Perares; their similar features made him instantly understand something.

“This is,” he drawled meaningfully, turning his gaze to Jefferson.

Jefferson took a deep breath and gently placed his hand on his daughter's shoulder in a protective gesture.

“Zeci Peralez,” he introduced, his voice trembling slightly, “my daughter, who recently returned to Night City from abroad after hearing that I am at a crucial moment in my election campaign.”

"daughter."

Carl glanced at Zechi Perales. Given Jefferson Perales and his wife Elizabeth Perales' ages, it wasn't surprising that they had an adult daughter, and it wasn't surprising that this young woman had returned from abroad after learning that her parents were running for mayor.

The only strange thing is
Why do I need to bring her along when I'm talking to Carl?

It's not unusual for politicians to bring their sons or daughters to banquets, as they might be preparing to negotiate marriages or other deals, using their offspring as bargaining chips. However, it's unusual for them to bring their daughters when discussing business.
Surely she can't be trying to use her marriage to his daughter to get his support, right?

That's a bit absurd.

Judging from its appearance, that's unlikely.

Then there's only one possibility.

In just a moment, Karl figured things out.

That is because what happened next involved this young woman, which is why Jefferson Peralez had to bring her along.

(End of this chapter)