Chapter 7 : Silvergate Mall and the 10 Million Rumor
Grim emerged from his room, now dressed in a crisp white shirt and white pants, paired with sleek black shoes and a black watch around his wrist. His sharp appearance added to his intimidating presence, his expression still carrying that familiar sternness.
Their mother soon followed, wearing a graceful, elegant dress of deep blue that complemented her gentle features. Though her eyes were kind, there was a subtle tiredness within them, hidden behind her soft smile.
Grim walked over to her and extended his hand, his fingers tense yet steady. "Mother," he said, his tone gruff but gentle. "Shall we go?"
His mother looked at him for a moment before smiling and placing her hand in his. Grim's grip tightened, holding her hand with a firmness that made it clear he had no intention of letting go.
"Where are we going, Grim?" she asked, her voice light with curiosity.
"Wherever you want," Grim replied, his gaze softening just a little. "If you want, we can buy some things for Lyra... and for you as well."
His mother's smile grew warmer. "Alright. But before we leave, let me just tell Lyra to have her breakfast and stay at home."
She glanced back toward the house, raising her voice slightly. "Lyra! Eat your breakfast, and stay home. Raven will be leaving too, so take care."
After hearing that, Grim gently tugged at her hand, guiding her toward the door. Even as they stepped outside, he didn't release her hand, his fingers wrapped around hers with an almost desperate protectiveness.
"Let's go," Grim said, his voice low, as if trying to keep his emotions from slipping through.
Back inside the house, Raven was preparing to leave as well.
His black attire fit him perfectly, dark and shadowy like the work he was accustomed to. He adjusted his gloves, his eyes briefly glancing at Lyra, who still seemed a bit embarrassed from earlier.
He moved toward the door, his tone calm but direct. "I'm heading out now. Make sure to close the gate properly. And... I'll be back after some time."
Lyra looked up at him, her expression calm and casual. "Alright. Just... be careful."
Raven smirked, a playful glint in his dark eyes. "Always am." Then his voice softened a bit. "If you want something, just tell me. I can buy it for you."
Lyra shook her head lightly, her tone simple and sincere. "No, I'm fine. I don't need anything."
He nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before turning away. Without another word, he stepped outside, closing the door behind him and leaving Lyra alone in the quiet house.
After leaving the house, Raven wandered aimlessly through the bustling streets, his mind preoccupied with what he should do for the day.
Should I find some quick job to earn a few coins? Or maybe just steal something valuable if the opportunity presented itself? His steps were slow and unhurried as he allowed his thoughts to drift.
Eventually, his wandering brought him to a small but cozy coffee shop.
The inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, and Raven decided that sitting down to think for a while wouldn't hurt.
He entered the shop, ordered a coffee, and settled into a corner seat, his dark attire standing out among the warm, lively atmosphere.
As he sipped his coffee, his sharp gaze scanned the room.
He couldn't help but notice the lingering stares from the surrounding girls. Some whispered and giggled from a nearby table, their eyes shamelessly admiring his striking appearance. From across the room, a group of girls marveled at him, their excited chatter barely muffled.
"Whoa… Look at him. What a beautiful guy." "He's so handsome... and that mysterious look... Wow." "I've never seen someone like him around here before."
Their words were nothing but white noise to Raven. He was used to the attention his appearance attracted. It was simply a matter of genetics, nothing more. His mind was occupied with more pressing matters.
Then, something else caught his attention. A conversation between two men sitting at a table not far from him. Their voices were low but not low enough to escape Raven's keen hearing.
"Did you hear about that stone?" one of them said, his tone dripping with excitement. "The one that got sold to that jewelry shop in Silvergate Mall."
"Silvergate Mall, huh?" Raven thought to himself. That place was well-known for its expensive shops and wealthy clientele. Not exactly a place he frequented, but a place worth knowing about.
"Yeah, I heard about it," the other man replied. "Supposedly, some merchant sold it to them yesterday. No one knows what kind of stone it is, but it's definitely something rare."
"Rare's an understatement," the first man said with a chuckle. "You know what the black market value is estimated to be? Ten million. Can you believe that? Ten damn million for a single stone."
Raven's eyes narrowed, his fingers tightening slightly around his coffee cup. Ten million. That was enough to make anyone's ears perk up.
"But no one's stupid enough to steal it from Silvergate Mall," the second man continued. "The place is swarming with guards. Whoever owns that stone now is probably sitting on a damn fortune."
"True. It's just a rumor for most people. But still, if someone ever managed to get their hands on it…" The first man trailed off, his voice heavy with both greed and caution.
Raven kept his expression carefully blank, his eyes still focused on the coffee in front of him. But his mind was racing.
"A stone worth ten million, huh?" he thought, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. That sounded like the kind of opportunity he couldn't afford to ignore.
The flow feels quite natural, with Raven's mood and mindset being established clearly before he overhears the conversation. His attention shifting from his own aimlessness to a new goal feels smooth.