Chapter 216: Not Very Kind
"This is one of the four villas where Lord Kassadin resides," Sonia stated. "No one else is permitted to enter here without his orders, except for me."
"For now, you'll stay here for a week," she continued. "Once your designated workspace is ready, you'll move there."
Sonia pushed the door open.
Since she was responsible for the upkeep, the villa was impeccably clean.
"Am I staying with you, Sonia-senpai?" Sara asked, her eyes brightening at the thought.
"I won't be living here; I stay in the villa on the mountain peak," Sonia replied. "You don't need to worry about your safety. You're free to explore the island during this week."
"Oh, I see. When does Lord Kassadin's trial start?"
Sara initially thought she would be sharing the space with Sonia, but upon learning otherwise, she quickly shifted her focus to a more pressing question.
"The moment you set foot on this island, the trial has already begun. Everything happening here is under Lord Kassadin's watchful eye," Sonia explained.
"Wait, does that mean I'll be seen while showering?"
Sara asked cautiously, her eyes darting around.
"You don't need to worry; that won't happen," Sonia replied, recalling how Kassadin often lazed about, engrossed in games or lying around like a salted fish.
"Then I can relax," Sara said, reassured by Sonia's confident tone.
After settling Sara in, Sonia glanced at the time and realized it was nearly time to prepare afternoon tea for Kassadin.
"I'll be on my way now. You can explore the area and check out the island," she advised. "Remember to stay humble, and when mentioning Lord Kassadin, always refer to him as 'Lord Kassadin.' Failure to do so may be viewed as disrespectful by other members of the Void Church."
After giving a few last reminders, Sonia departed.
"Wow, Sonia-senpai is still as efficient as ever," Sara remarked, admiring Sonia's swift handling of things.
With that, Sara began to wander around the villa.
Knowing this was Kassadin's residence and that she was merely staying temporarily, she avoided the master bedroom.
However, the guest rooms were lavish enough to impress anyone.
Meanwhile, upon returning to her mountain villa, Sonia found Kassadin engrossed in reading rather than playing games or lounging about, which surprised her.
"You brought someone interesting back," he commented, looking up from his book.
Just as Sonia had mentioned, he had been observing Sara since the moment she arrived, including overhearing her remark about showering.
"Sara is a junior I took under my wing at the elite hotel," Sonia explained. "She's attractive and outgoing, with a good grasp of how to interact with others. She's just unfamiliar with the island's rules, so I had to explain a few things."
Sonia poured some drinks and arranged the snacks neatly on the table as she spoke.
Kassadin nodded. He was aware of Sara, having previously collaborated with her when Sonia sought buyers for technology for Tony Stark.
"I understand. I'll keep a close watch," he said. "Whether she passes the trial depends on her capabilities."
"I hope so, too," Sonia replied.
"If you need me, I'll be handling a few things now," she added before settling on the couch to address the construction of the records office. She pulled up a map of the island to find a suitable location.
If the Void Church members were to develop the habit of greeting the recorder, the placement of the records office would be crucial.
It would be best if members could casually pass by the location when returning and drop a greeting, so careful consideration was necessary.
Sonia crossed her long, slender legs, her smooth, fair skin glimmering, drawing attention effortlessly.
Kassadin, being a normal man, couldn't help but be attracted.
Observing Sonia entering work mode, he noted that her beauty had only improved over time, and her charm was more pronounced than before.
He forcibly diverted his gaze back to the afternoon tea before him.
He wasn't sure if Sonia was being deliberately coy, but her unguarded demeanor intrigued him.
Sonia appeared oblivious to the attention, focusing instead on her tasks. She noted how Kassadin stole glances at her but quickly returned to his reading.
This left her feeling a bit discouraged, leading her to question whether Kassadin truly had no interest in women.
However, that thought was short-lived as she tapped a few times on her device.
She discovered the must-visit places for members of the Void Church on the island, mainly the various dining halls where chefs gathered near the harbor.
After pinpointing the optimal location for the records office, Sonia sketched a design and sent it off to the construction company.
Having dealt with the construction company several times, they quickly agreed on a price and promised to start work the following day.