The Bigshot Married Himself to the Heiress-Chapter 686 - 727: Bribing Lucas Robertson

"When you’re alone, with no one to worry about, you have no weaknesses and naturally fear nothing. But now that you have a beloved woman and children, it’s different," Adrian Desmond began. "The more you possess, the more afraid you are to lose it."

This was his own personal experience. In the past, Adrian Desmond would have dared to confront the Night Owl alone, but now, he was plagued by numerous concerns. He feared dying before defeating the Night Owl; he feared that after his death, others would bully his wife and children. These many anxieties made him hesitant and cautious in his actions.

"I heard your first fiancée died at the hands of Maxwell Bradford?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Lucas Robertson’s stern expression finally faltered. He glared at Adrian Desmond, wondering why this man was bringing up his painful past. His fiancée had died horribly, tortured to death by those men. It was a pain Lucas could never forget. The tragic death of his former fiancée was like an indelible stain on his life, a constant reminder of his cowardice and incompetence, a reminder that he couldn’t even protect his own woman.

Adrian Desmond explained, "I don’t mean anything else. I just want to remind you not to provoke the Night Owl. Otherwise, if something happens to your Kiki, you’ll have nowhere to even cry then."

"Sixth Master, aren’t these words just boosting his confidence while undermining your own? This doesn’t seem like your style."

Adrian Desmond stared at Lucas Robertson and stated his purpose, "I’m not boosting his confidence or undermining my own. I just need to be fully prepared. Either I don’t make a move, or when I do, I completely annihilate the opponent! I don’t want Sienna to get involved in the feud between me and the Night Owl. Stop your investigation. This is also a good thing for you. At least your woman and children will be safe."

"You know Madam’s temperament. She’s not the type of woman to hide behind a man seeking protection!"

"I know. That’s why I don’t want her getting any clever ideas and meddling in the Night Owl’s affairs. Her little tricks might work against ordinary people, but against someone as vicious as the Night Owl—a man who wouldn’t hesitate to kill his own kin—they’re nowhere near enough."

Lucas Robertson was silent.

"You don’t have to refuse her outright. Just tell her you’re still investigating and keep her on the hook..." Adrian Desmond instructed.

Lucas Robertson frowned but didn’t commit. Adrian Desmond continued, "It’s the 24th today, and the Flower Festival in Abyanabad is approaching. When do you and Kiki plan to get married?"

"She said there’s no need for a wedding ceremony." Lucas Robertson’s heart stirred.

"How can you not have a wedding ceremony? Kiki is so beautiful, and there are so many single men on the island eyeing her covetously. You must have a wedding to declare your claim on her."

Adrian Desmond had voiced exactly what was on Lucas Robertson’s mind. His Kiki was so wonderful; of course, he wanted to marry her and let everyone know she was his woman!

Adrian Desmond took charge, saying, "I think the Flower Festival is a good time. You two should hold your wedding then."

Lucas Robertson’s eyes lit up, but he still adhered to his principles. "I am Madam’s man. I will not lay down my life for the Sixth Master."

Adrian Desmond scoffed, "I have plenty of people willing to die for me. Do you think I’m short one like you? Just remain loyal to Sienna Johnson!"

Lucas Robertson inwardly grumbled: Just moments ago, Adrian had asked him to lie to Sienna, and now he was telling him to remain loyal to her. What on earth did the man want?

"...Actually, I don’t even need to lie to Madam. Regarding the Night Owl, I can’t find a single piece of information about him. It’s as if such a person never existed in this world."

Anyone who lives in this world will leave traces of their existence. Yet, the Night Owl was like a ghost, leaving no discernible trail.

"Stay out of the Night Owl’s affairs," Adrian said.

"Understood," Lucas replied.

Adrian Desmond sized up Lucas Robertson and asked, "You were with the Westorian CIA before, weren’t you? So, do you know Frank Robertson, the chairman of the Global Missing Children Association, an organization set up by the Westorian government?"

Lucas Robertson looked at Adrian Desmond in surprise. He and Frank Robertson were close personal friends, but due to the sensitive nature of their identities, their association was kept very secret. How on earth had Adrian Desmond discovered this?

"Why do you ask about him?" Lucas inquired.

"Oh, I just happen to know the whereabouts of some missing children, so I thought I’d provide Frank Robertson with a lead."

Adrian Desmond, the largest arms dealer in Southeast Agaia, was hardly a benevolent man. Performing righteous deeds out of bravery or kindness was not something he was known for.

"May I know why you’re looking for those children?"

"Didn’t I just tell you I know the whereabouts of some missing children?" Adrian replied, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. He struck a lighter and lit the cigar he had been holding in his mouth, taking small, slow puffs, savoring the smoke in his mouth rather than inhaling it into his lungs like a cigarette.

"...So many years have passed; he should be grown up by now..." Adrian mused aloud. Just as Lucas Robertson was wondering about the identity of this person, Adrian added, "...if he isn’t dead, that is."

Lucas Robertson was left speechless.

Walter Klein knocked on the reception room door and entered. He glanced at Lucas Robertson, greeted Adrian with a "Sixth Master," and then fell silent. Realizing they had matters to discuss privately, Lucas Robertson tactfully rose and excused himself.

Once the reception room door closed, Walter Klein said anxiously, "Sixth Master, bad news! The Sultan has revoked our passage rights through the Amwaka Strait."

"So soon?" Adrian asked.

"Yes!"

Adrian was silent for a moment.

Walter Klein fretted, "Without passage rights in the Amwaka Strait, our only alternative is the Kalare waters. But that area is teeming with pirates; the safety of our cargo won’t be guaranteed."

"I plan to make a trip to Kalare," Adrian said. "I’ll discuss this with Mercer and the others then. If we can open up the Kalare route, it would shorten the journey and still benefit the merchant fleet..."

"But those pirates all operate independently. If we want to get all of them under control at the same time so the route is smooth, it’s too difficult to implement."

"How will we know if we don’t try?" Adrian countered.

Seeing Adrian Desmond’s confident expression, Walter Klein guessed he already had a plan in mind, so he didn’t press further.

"Is there anything else?" Adrian asked.

Walter Klein glanced up at Adrian Desmond’s expression. Finding it relatively calm, he continued, "There’s one more thing... Today, Kiya is getting engaged to Akbar Gulit. Should we inform Miss about this?"

This news was even more surprising to Adrian Desmond than the Sultan revoking their passage rights in the Amwaka Strait. He took a deep drag from his cigar, smoke billowing from his nostrils.

"Is the information confirmed?"

"Confirmed! It’s been officially announced, and dignitaries from many countries have already arrived."

Adrian Desmond didn’t issue an order immediately. Walter Klein stood waiting, not daring to press, knowing that this was indeed a difficult situation to handle.