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Ke Lan never thought that the second time he met Zofia Soma would be in the bedroom of the daughter of the Soma Group...

When Ke Lan opened the door and walked in, Zofia was standing in front of a dressing mirror that was as tall as a person. She was wearing a white silk suspender dress that fit her body perfectly, showing off her round shoulders and sexy collarbones. Her long blond hair was not tied up, but casually draped behind her head. Compared to her heroic spirit as the captain of the "Pioneer", she now had more of the unique charm of an aristocratic woman.

"I feel like you seem a little restrained," Zofia turned around and said to Ke Lan, "Would you like something to drink? Coffee or tea? If you want to drink, I'm sorry, I don't have any."

"Shouldn't I feel constrained to be in a room with a beautiful woman without a third person... and this room is the woman's bedroom?" Ke Lan shrugged helplessly. "As for drinks, pure water is fine."

"Haha." Zofia chuckled and covered her mouth, "You are a very frank and interesting person."

"Actually, I'm just not good at dealing with women, especially in such an ambiguous environment. There's a term on the Internet specifically used to describe people like me—"

"'Straight man', right?" Zofia smiled and placed two glasses of clear drinking water on the coffee table, "Please sit down."

"I didn't expect Miss Zofia to know this kind of Internet term."

"I know what you imagine a noble lady to be like... Of course, if you think I'm that kind of person, you're wrong." Zofia sat down opposite the coffee table, picked up the cup, and took a sip.

"No, I've never thought about it that way... I just feel that you now are completely different from the you I saw on the Pioneer."

"When I was on the 'Pioneer', I was the captain, responsible for everyone on board, but now, I'm just myself." Zofia said, reaching out her hand to lift the hair that fell to her ears - even Ke Lan, who always thought he was "not interested in women", had something wrong in his eyes... This action was so feminine.

Is this woman really trying to seduce me?

But the next second, Sofia's expression became serious: "Mr. Ke Lan, you should be able to guess why I came to you this time, right?"

"That spy thing, right?"

"Yes, I have already found out. Yui is from the Arasaka Group, and she was planted by my brother himself."

"Arasaka Group?" Ke Lan was slightly stunned. He originally thought that the power behind Yui was either the Mitsui Group or the Mitsubishi Group, but he didn't expect that it was the Arasaka Group with the "alibi".

However, after knowing the result, it makes perfect sense to work backwards. It is precisely because the Arasaka Group has this "alibi" that it can perfectly pin the blame for this espionage incident on the Mitsui Group and the Mitsubishi Group. No matter which of the two the Soma Group retaliates against, it is a situation that the Arasaka Group would be happy to see.

"But...what does this Arasaka Group have to do with your brother? If the spy was planted by your brother, wouldn't this guy be tantamount to collaborating with the enemy?" Ke Lan asked.

"My brother is the first in line to inherit the consortium, and I am the second. Of course, this order may change at any time depending on our performance. Do you understand what I mean?"

"... Is this another bloody drama of fighting for the right of succession?" Ke Lan curled her lips. "Then if you expose your brother's collusion with the Arasaka Group, won't he be finished? If you ask me, your brother is really stupid. He actually wants to use external forces to win the competition within the family. How is this different from inviting a wolf into the house?"

"But I don't have enough evidence to bring him down." Zofia said softly, "Besides, the relationship between the Soma family and the Arasaka family is not bad. My brother's forces are now trying every means to promote a marriage between the two families..."

"He plans to marry you off?"

"Well, in this case, I won't be able to compete with him... and, because of the spy thing..."

"Because you can't prove that the spy was planted by your brother, and because of this spy, the Soma Group suffered heavy losses in the Leviathan incident, which led to a continuous decline in the family and the group's evaluation of you. When they think you are not suitable to inherit the Soma Group, the marriage plan proposed by your brother will be implemented, and you will lose the chance to turn the tables forever, right?"

"...That's basically it. How do you know it so clearly?" Sofia looked at Ke Lan in surprise.

"Um... do you want me to tell the truth?"

"you say."

"That's how it's played out in all those bloody TV dramas that are popular during the prime time." Ke Lan said very honestly.

"..." Sofia's expression became strange for a moment, as if she was about to explode, but she forced herself to hold it back.

"And I guess you asked me to come here to help you collect evidence and catch the spy, right?"

"...That's right. Moreover, your companion named Liao Zilang is now in the hands of the Arasaka Group." Zofia said, "So, our enemies are the same."

"That's what I said, but rescuing hostages and collecting evidence are not the same thing... Besides, we are just a group of relic hunters, not mercenaries or private detectives. This kind of thing is not within our professional field at all."

"Not only do I want you to help me collect evidence, but if possible, I also hope that you can completely bring down the Arasaka Group." Zofia looked at Ke Lan and said very seriously.

"If you didn't think I was a pervert, I would really like to touch your forehead, Miss Zofia." Ke Lan looked at Zofia sincerely and said, "I think you have burned your brain, Miss Zofia."

"Moreover, the mission you proposed is no less difficult than exploring an S-class ruin... Suppose, I mean suppose, if we can complete this mission, how much do you plan to pay us?"

"As for the reward," Zofia suddenly stood up, "what do you think of me?"

"ha?"

"If you can bring down the Arasaka Group, I will marry you and make you the husband of the future heir of the Soma Group."

Ke Lan carefully observed Zofia's expression, while the latter met his gaze without caring...

"I'm not kidding." Zofia said, "I'll have to choose a spouse sooner or later anyway. Instead of marrying the man arranged by the consortium, I might as well choose someone I like."

She was indeed not joking, Ke Lan knew in her heart that this woman was serious.

"Can I choose to refuse?" After nearly a minute, Ke Lan spoke up, "I always feel that the identity of the husband of the future heir of the consortium... doesn't seem so safe..."