Miss Chelsea, wouldn't you also like to...

The lovely Miss Chelsea seemed taken aback, didn't she?

Jonas's voice resounded once more, pulling Chelsea's consciousness back.

Upon regaining her composure, Chelsea didn't hesitate, but rather seated herself directly across from Jonas.

"Indeed, quite unexpected... It's apparent Mr. Jonas has devoted considerable time to preparation."

Though her tone carried a hint of surprise, her expression revealed nothing unusual, instead, she calmly inquired, "What does Mr. Jonas wish to discuss with me?"

"Naturally, it pertains to the collaboration on the chip..."

After a pause, Jonas turned to smile and continued, "But before that, please, Miss Chelsea, do relish this evening's banquet."

Upon hearing this, Chelsea glanced at the array of delicacies adorning the table, from seared foie gras to fish fillet salad, and rosemary-infused French lamb chops...

All appeared quite luxurious and conveniently aligned with Chelsea's culinary preferences, suggesting Miss Tokiwa likely inquired beforehand.

Observing that the other party seemed in no rush to broach the topic of cooperation, Chelsea remained silent.

She picked up her knife and fork, beginning to savor the delicacies with meticulous care.

Miss Chelsea's manner of delicately savoring her meal, chewing slowly and gracefully, exuded elegance.

The two sat in relative silence, indulging in their repast for over ten minutes. Finally, Chelsea set down her utensils and inquired, "No red wine?"

"As you wish, madam."

With a snap of his fingers, Jonas signaled, and a waiter promptly brought forth the red wine, as if intuitively aware of her desire.

As the red wine gradually poured into the goblet, Chelsea, with her left hand clad in white gloves, lifted the glass.

She took a sip, and as the wine touched her lips, a slight blush colored her cheeks.

Setting down the glass, she looked at the gentleman before her and spoke, "What conditions do you intend to use to persuade me?"

Chelsea was well aware that the other party sought to secure greater benefits in the collaboration.

In other words, the other party should also have corresponding bargaining chips.

"Was the Levi Consortium's attempt to seize the chip's evidence sufficient?" Jonas inquired.

Upon hearing this, Chelsea was somewhat surprised but shook her head nonetheless, stating, "Not sufficient."

With those words spoken, she added, "If you intend to sway me with just these, then I believe there is no need to continue our conversation tonight."

While evidence of the Levi Consortium's actions could to some extent threaten or constrain the Levi Consortium's operations, it was indeed a favorable condition but insufficient as leverage.

"No need to rush."

Upon hearing the other's words, Jonas set aside his wine glass and spoke with a smile, "This is merely a token of introduction for Miss Chelsea."

It must be admitted that Jonas's conversational skill successfully piqued Chelsea's interest.

With her hands crossed on the table, she looked at the man before her and spoke with great interest, "Then, what do you plan to use...?"

Before the sentence could be completed, Chelsea's chair tilted, causing her to lean backward.

Fortunately, Jonas acted swiftly, catching Chelsea's hand.

However, in that moment of grasping the other's hand, Chelsea's glove slipped off accidentally, prompting Jonas to extend his hand once more, seizing her slender bare hand and averting the potential fall.

Yet, things took an unexpected turn from there.

...

Time, nearing 7 p.m. in District 25.

Tokiwa Shi was crouched on the rooftop of a building, observing the situation inside the restaurant with a telescope.

During the time she had been working under Jonas, she had gradually come to understand his character and traits.

So she was well aware of the power he, as the heir of the Ventin Consortium, wielded over women.

It wasn't that she didn't trust Miss Chelsea... but just as a precaution, she felt the need to check.

The telescope before her constantly monitored the situation inside the restaurant, while her earpiece relayed the sounds from within.

Even before the start of this banquet, Tokiwa Shi had set up listening devices... After all, this concerned her future work, and the young girl was quite diligent.

Because of this, upon hearing the conversation between the two gradually being dominated by Jonas, Tokiwa Shi couldn't help but feel anxious.

Physically in Ventin, but mentally in Nason, this description suited the girl perfectly...

Although it seemed highly unreliable, in reality, Tokiwa Shi was quite loyal to Miss Chelsea.

This was also why Chelsea was so confident in allowing Tokiwa Shi to infiltrate the Ventin Consortium.

*Rustle, rustle—*

With a rustling sound, the listening device malfunctioned momentarily.

Tokiwa Shi was somewhat surprised, but when she looked through the telescope again, the scene inside left her speechless.

—What, what's going on?!

...

Inside the French restaurant.

The white gloves fell to the ground, and wine and food were scattered everywhere.

Clearly, it was just that the other party hadn't stood steady, so why did it turn out like this?

Jonas didn't know the answer to the problem, but he knew that after touching the other's hand, Miss Chelsea's behavior became somewhat abnormal.

Jonas held Chelsea's hand, her face slightly flushed, her expression a mixture of embarrassment and coquetry as she looked at Jonas, her eyes slightly hazy.

She breathed lightly, the blush on her cheeks akin to the sunset glow on the horizon.

"Please, release me now."

Chelsea's voice carried some resistance, her gaze full of warning.

Unfortunately, this demeanor lacked persuasiveness; appearing weak and powerless only served to arouse others' sadistic desires more easily.

Sensing that something was amiss with the other's state, Jonas began to feel somewhat strange.

He wasn't exactly a nobleman; he had done plenty of taking advantage of others' vulnerabilities.

So Jonas didn't heed Chelsea's words but rather pinched her wrist, causing her body to become even softer before he began to assess her.

Silver-white mid-length hair, exquisite facial features, mature figure, and that appearance of wanting to resist yet welcoming, enough to make any adult male lose their reason in a short time.

Unfortunately, Jonas didn't focus on these aspects but instead on a scar on the other's arm.

The scar was very thin, as if it had been left by something extracted from beneath the skin.

Thinking about the significant reaction the other had upon being touched by him...

If nothing unexpected happened, this was the scar left by the removal of a sex surrogate chip.

As for why Jonas knew this so clearly... naturally, it was because he had seen it on Miss Elyse before.

Why the chairman of the Nason Consortium had traces of a sex surrogate chip removal on him