Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

"I'm not worthy of such compliments. I tried my best to deal with it only because Master Jaxon and Vivian had high expectations of me. Moreover, I was able to successfully defend myself in the challenges due to sheer luck. Saul is very powerful; I almost lost to him," Zachary said modestly.

"He is indeed powerful. But you defeated him despite his strength, so you have proved yourself. You don't have to be modest about it," Daniel said.

"I'm not being modest. I'm just stating the truth. So, if you have something to tell me, sir, you don't need to beat about the bush," Zachary said, throwing the bait and hoping that he would bite.

Daniel hesitated for a while. He hadn't expected Zachary to be so straightforward. He had wanted to test him further, but now that Zachary had told him to speak freely, he would do so. "It seems that you are a straightforward person, just like me, so I'm going to come straight to the point. Although you are publicly engaged to my niece and will soon become Jaxon's son-in-law, I hope that you will still stand by me and work for me. Of course, I will treat you well. I will offer double of whatever Jaxon gives you."

"You are trying to poach me despite knowing my current position. Aren't you afraid that I will report you to Master Jaxon?" Zachary asked with a pointed smile after hearing Daniel's offer.

"Jaxon and I have been at odds with each other since forever, and it is no secret in the Xiao Clan. Everyone in the clan knows that I'm coveting the position of the leader, because that position was mine in the first place. Jaxon stole it from me in an underhanded manner many years ago. Therefore, if I get the position of the leader, it would just be returned to its original owner. Besides, if Jaxon really makes Anthony the next leader of the Xiao Clan, the clan will undoubtedly decline. In order to save the clan's estate and foundation from being destroyed, I have to take necessary precautions!" Daniel said pompously, without even trying to hiding his ambition. He obviously didn't think he had done anything wrong.

"I don't know much about the grudge between you and Master Jaxon, so I won't make any comment. But I do agree with you on the point that the Xiao Clan would decline if Anthony inherits the clan," Zachary responded calmly.

"I have heard that you had a feud with my nephew when you were in the Shura College, and that he has been hell-bent on tarnishing your image ever since you joined the Xiao Clan," Daniel prodded tentatively after hearing Anthony's name.

Drugged one night by her ex-boyfriend, a mysterious man took advantage of her in an ecstatic night filled with sex.

To take her revenge, she married the man, and used him.

"As long as I'm alive, I'm still his legal wife, while all of you are just his mistresses."

She remained adamant even when he was involved in scandals with other women.

Eventually she stormed off after she learned that he had betrayed her again.But life brought her back to him a few years later, to his astonishment.

father's plan? What plan is that?" Zachary asked, narrowing his eyes at him suspiciously.

"You will know when the time comes. But before that, you need to think about your options and make up your mind." Bruno was about to speak further, but then he changed his mind and clammed up.

Being sensible, Zachary didn't push him any further. Instead, he chatted with Bruno casually for a while before leaving.

The next day, it was time for his appointment with Goliath, which he had fixed three days ago. Zachary made his way to the Centennial Inn to meet him.

"Have you got the eggs?" Zachary asked as soon as he spotted Goliath.

"Yes, two scarce beast eggs. Will that be enough?" Goliath immediately answered.

"Scarce ones? That's amazing! They are more convincing," Zachary said, his eyes lighting up with glee.

"So how will you recommend me to the leader of the Xiao Clan?" Goliath asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

"I will introduce you as a professional beast tamer specialized in detecting beast eggs," Zachary answered.

"What? A professional beast tamer? Doesn't the leader already know who I am? Don't you think your story will be a bit too far-fetched?" Goliath asked dubiously. He didn't think it would work.

"You have left the Shura College a long time ago. Nobody knows what you have done in the interim. More importantly, the scarce beast eggs that you have prepared are very convincing. Even if the leader doesn't like you, he will surely know how good the beast eggs are," Zachary said, smiling knowingly.

Seeing Zachary's confidence, Goliath held back.

With nothing else left to discuss, Zachary and Goliath left the Centennial Inn together.