I'm in Mota, and they all want me to confess my feelings!

Koleta gracefully crossed her arms over her chest, a slight smile playing on her lips as she looked at Duanmu Yan beside her with a hint of amusement, and teased him.

"Oh, so you, a member of the Motari family, have actually 'attacked' members of the order? You've got some nerve."

"No, boss, you've misunderstood." Duanmu Yan quickly waved his hand and explained, "I just invited her to eat pizza with me because I thought she was cute—oops, I mean, I felt sorry for her because she was hungry. I really didn't mean anything by it."

"You don't need to explain so much to me." Koleta smiled gently, her eyes showing understanding and tolerance. "Employees should naturally have their own private time."

"Now that you've joined Everard Bank, you must be familiar with the Motari family's philosophy. Even I wouldn't arbitrarily interfere with an employee's freedom."

"After all, I understand love, I know everything about it."

Duanmu Yan: "..."

She really misunderstood.

But, dating Phoebe?

Ok……

It is not impossible.

After all, Phoebe is really cute.

They found a quiet seat by the window and sat down. While quietly waiting for their late-night snack to be served, the conversation naturally began.

"You're quite skilled. Have you learned self-defense techniques before?"

Koleta gently picked up the teacup, her slender fingers swaying slightly, causing the amber-colored tea in the cup to swirl and ripple gently.

“Oh, I almost forgot. You’re not from Lagu, but judging from your name… are you from Huanglong? If that’s the case, then it makes sense, since I’ve heard that everyone from Huanglong is exceptionally skilled.”

"why?"

"I saw it in Huanglong's movies."

"..."

Why do these stereotypes still exist even in another world?

“There’s an old saying in Huanglong: ‘A hero’s origins are not important.’” Koleta said. “Naturally, I won’t pry into your past. As I said before, what the Motari family values ​​has never been a person’s bloodline, but rather their actual abilities.”

"By the way, I'm curious, what role do you currently play at the Qierjuqiu Sijiuqi Mingyue Clothing Company?"

"Defense Section".

“No wonder.” Koleta nodded slightly, a hint of understanding flashing in her eyes. “Speaking of which, do you know Zanni? She’s also an employee of the Defense Department, and she’s been the employee of the year for many years.”

"She is my partner."

Upon hearing this, Koleta's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly regained her elegant and calm demeanor: "What a coincidence? Well, that's not bad either. I had a job I was planning to ask Zanni for help with, but she's always been very busy, and I didn't want her to work excessive overtime anymore."

"Now that you're her partner, you must have earned her approval, and besides, you're quite skilled."

She paused deliberately for a moment, waiting for the suspense to build up just right, before taking a sip of black tea and letting the aroma linger on her lips and teeth.

"Yes, you're a good fit."

Volume 1: Chapter 9 BOSS Direct Hiring

BOSS Zhipin.

There could be no more tangible invitation to take up a position.

—The future head of the Motari family is assigning me a task.

Should I be grateful or unfortunate?

Fortunately, his career will proceed smoothly.

Unfortunately, they are going to be exploited ruthlessly.

Of course, this applies if the effort brings corresponding rewards.

That overtime work...

It is not impossible.

"Work?"

“Yes, a job.” Koleta nodded slightly. “An opportunity for you to serve the Mortari family.”

Duanmu Yan pursed his lips, remained silent for a moment, and then asked, "What kind of work is it specifically?"

“Well…” Koleta smiled faintly, then put down her delicate teacup. “Your task is to assist me in my work. This job comes with a certain degree of danger, but in return, I will give you extremely generous compensation.”

Duanmu Yan: "..."

The Motari family.

They were newly rich who rose to prominence through the development of sea routes and trade, and with the opening of Laguna, they rapidly rose to prominence and accumulated unimaginable wealth.

On the surface, the Motari family appears to be focused on legitimate business, establishing themselves in the market through legal and compliant trade activities.

But behind this seemingly glamorous facade lies a secret unknown to most.

It must be understood that under the strict secular rule of the religious order and the strong suppression of the Fesari family, a weak and incompetent person who only knows how to follow the rules could never lead the family to rise rapidly in such a harsh environment.

Therefore, the rise of the Motari family must have been a bloody and turbulent one.

Beneath that glamorous facade, countless shady conspiracies, power struggles, and brutal battles fought for profit are hidden.

Before his time travel, Duanmu Yan had watched many movies with similar family gangster themes.

The power struggles within families and the betrayals and killings among members in those movies left a deep impression on him.

He knew very well that a family like the Motari's was inevitably rife with endless bloodshed and betrayal.

Once you accidentally step into this murky water, getting out unscathed will be harder than climbing to heaven.

"You seem to be hesitating?" Koleta gracefully rested her elbows on the table, her hands together, her fingertips subtly forming the shape of a spire. "Are you afraid?"

This kind of reaction is nothing new to Koleta.

Not all people in Laguna want to be associated with the Motari family; in fact, they would rather avoid anyone from the family.

Being associated with family means you'll be in trouble.

Even those who work in vaults and banks are wary of this and are unwilling to easily become associated with their families.

"It's not because of that," Duanmu Yan said. "I'm just a little curious as to why I was chosen. If the goal is to assist the Second Miss in her work, surely there are more suitable candidates within the family than me?"

“I have my reasons.” Koleta leaned back in her seat, relaxed, and then casually crossed her left leg. “When the time is right, you will know the reasons behind everything.”

As she spoke, she gently closed her eyes, then slowly raised her slender hand, picked up the exquisite teacup, and took a small sip, her movements elegant and composed.

"So, what's the answer?"

How to do?

Agree or refuse?

Duanmu Yan hesitated.

He didn't answer immediately, but instead looked up at Koleta in front of him.

The girl remained seated there gracefully, her eyes sparkling like opals.

She was waiting for him, waiting for his answer.

"I……"

"promise."

Finally, after a long silence, Duanmu Yan gave his answer to the other party.

“Very good.” Koleta nodded slightly and promised, “The family never fails those who have made contributions. After the matter is accomplished, the reward you will receive will be far more than just gold and silver.”

She leaned forward and gazed into his eyes.

"I will grant you one more request—whatever it may be, as long as it is within my power."

……

……

Early in the morning.

With his legs feeling as heavy as lead, Duanmu Yan finally pushed open his slightly old door.

The exhaustion of a whole day's work overwhelmed him like a surging tide, and every step drained all his strength.

As soon as he stepped into the room, he felt as if his spine had been removed, and he collapsed onto the bed. His eyelids felt as heavy as if they weighed a ton, and waves of drowsiness washed over him, almost making him fall asleep.

But the things he had just experienced were like sharp thorns, relentlessly piercing his mind, making his thoughts chaotic and tangled.

Whether it was the sudden attack by the Fesari family or the personal invitation from Coreta, it all felt like a dream to him, and he couldn't tell whether it was reality or illusion.

In short, let's take it one step at a time.

He looked up at the ceiling and murmured softly.

Until weariness completely overwhelmed him.

……

……

Seven o'clock in the morning.

The alarm clock rang as scheduled.

Urged on by the ringing of the bell, Duanmu Yan slowly opened his eyes, still feeling sleepy.

As if all his strength had been drained, he slowly climbed out of the warm bed and reached out to turn off the incessantly noisy alarm clock.

"...Ha." He yawned, staggered to the bathroom, looked at his tired self in the mirror, and couldn't help but sigh.

Sigh, I really want to just be willful this once and skip work altogether.

Unfortunately, he couldn't skip it.

The perfect attendance bonus is just around the corner.

He didn't want to fail at this final juncture and have all his previous efforts go to waste.

Then, he reached out and turned on the tap, and clear, cool water flowed out.

He bent down and immersed his face in the water, feeling the coolness dispel the lingering drowsiness. He then carefully brushed his teeth and washed his face. After finishing his washing up, he put on clean clothes and prepared to throw himself into the mechanical life of cattle and horses, which was like gears turning in motion.

Just as he was about to step out of his house and start another busy day, the terminal on his waist suddenly vibrated without warning. The slight tremor seemed particularly abrupt in the quiet atmosphere.

Duanmu Yan was slightly taken aback, then reached out and picked up the terminal. His eyes fell on the screen, where he saw a message from Koleta.

Good morning, Mr. Duanmu.

Did you sleep well last night?

I'm sorry, but as per our agreement, you need to get to work.

Oh, I almost forgot.

I promised Koleta yesterday that I would help her with her work.

I just don't know what will happen to the company's perfect attendance bonus...

After waiting a short while, the terminal screen lit up again, and another message came from Koleta.

In the message, she sent a specific address and gave instructions.

I'll be waiting for you here.

Volume One: Chapter Ten, Phosphorus-Adulterated Paint Part Two: The Twilight Feast of Repentance

The sky was not yet fully bright, and leaden clouds hung low.

Duanmu Yan stopped and looked at the cemetery in front of him.

Rainwater slid down the stone statue's wings, etching eternal tear stains on its compassionate face.

—This is where Koleta and he agreed to meet.

Why did you ask me to meet here?

The distant sound of bells urged him to enter the cemetery.

Then he saw Koleta, holding a black umbrella, standing quietly in front of a tomb.

She was too young, out of place in this land filled with power and death.