Villain Is Bodyguard of Heroine’s Poisonous Stepmother

Chapter 115: A Way of Gratitude

After returning from the Rose Bar, Chen Luo summoned Elsa. “Elsa, I have a job for you. If you execute it well, I’ll give you a reward that will certainly please you.”

“Master, you only need to command me, I don’t need rewards.”

“I’ll still give you what you deserve.” Chen Luo drew Elsa into his embrace, gently squeezing her rosy cheeks. “This job is a challenging one. You are to assassinate the old patriarch of the Wang family. This is his photograph.”

Chen Luo presented a photograph to Elsa, who glanced at it and committed the patriarch of the Wang family’s features to memory.

“Be discreet, and if there’s any weapon you need, just tell me. I’ll make the necessary arrangements.”

“Master, a handgun would be enough for me, preferably something compact.”

“Alright, that’s settled. Prioritize your safety above all. If you’re not sure, you are allowed to withdraw. Do not put yourself at risk,” Chen Luo advised Elsa with seriousness.

Elsa’s face lit up with a touch of excitement. It dawned on her that her master genuinely cared for her safety, filling her with a newfound sense of purpose.

“This is the first mission he has entrusted to you. Make sure it’s not botched, or there’ll be consequences once you return,” Zhao Yingxuan approached and added her warning to Elsa.

The mention of potential punishment for failure made Elsa tremble. Having firsthand experience of Zhao Yingxuan’s methods, she knew all too well the meaning of her words. Elsa had transformed from a cold-hearted assassin to someone so obedient she was nearly a maid, all because of Zhao Yingxuan’s formidable influence.

“Rest assured, Master, you will hear of his death by this evening.”

Elsa, armed with the gun provided by Chen Luo, departed from the villa.

Chen Luo harbored no concerns about Elsa fleeing, his trust in her was firm. She had had ample opportunities to escape. Had she wished to, she would have long since vanished, not stayed until now. Elsa’s loyalty had already been verified through the system.

“Why not assign the task to us, Brother Luo?” Chun Mei and Xia Lan asked.

Despite being stronger than Elsa, they were puzzled and somewhat disgruntled that the mission was assigned to her. As artificial humans acquired through Chen Luo’s dealings, they possessed the emotions of normal humans, unlike Ah Da and the others, who were flawed.

“Elsa is better suited for this mission. Being an assassin, she excels in such jobs more naturally than you both.”

Deploying Chun Mei and Xia Lan could lead to their discovery, potentially escalating to a direct confrontation. While their superior abilities might still guarantee success, it would unnecessarily draw attention.

Professional matters are best handled by professionals.

Elsa, by her own admission, ranked among the world’s elite assassins. Chen Luo trusted in her professional expertise to succeed.

By evening, Elsa returned. “Master, the mission is completed.”

The assassination was even smoother than anticipated. Masquerading as a nanny, she infiltrated the Wang family, eliminated the old patriarch with a poisoned needle, and then left without a trace.

It was likely that the Wang family hadn’t yet realized their patriarch had passed away.

The gun Elsa carried for self-defense ended up unused. Although Chen Luo hadn’t received any news confirming the elder Wang’s death, he trusted that Elsa wouldn’t lie to him.

He placed his hand on Elsa’s shoulder, saying, “This is your reward.”

Chen Luo communicated with the system, trading to enhance Elsa’s physical abilities.

Elsa felt a sudden warmth throughout her body, followed by a significant increase in her strength, a boost that wasn’t limited to physical power but extended across all her abilities. After the enhancement, all of Elsa’s attributes, except her spirit, should average around fifty.

“Thank you, Master,” Elsa said, embracing Chen Luo in her excitement. Her strength was of utmost importance to her as an assassin.

“Saying thank you isn’t enough. You know there are other ways to express gratitude, and I don’t need to spell them out for you,” Zhao Yingxuan said, approaching Elsa with a seductive stride and whispering in her ear.

Elsa blushed, fully understanding the implied method of gratitude suggested by Zhao Yingxuan. She then slowly knelt before Chen Luo.

“Hmph,” Xiao Qingxue, who had just returned, snorted at the sight.

“What are you ‘hmphing’ about? It’s not as if you’ve never done it,” Zhao Yingxuan retorted, locking eyes with Xiao Qingxue.

Their gaze was filled with a confrontational sharpness, Zhao Yingxuan’s eyes brimming with disdain towards Xiao Qingxue. Regardless of past pride or aloofness, when bowing and kneeling, was it not all the same?

Xiao Qingxue glared at Zhao Yingxuan with a mix of embarrassment and anger, taking a deep breath without engaging further in their verbal sparring.

Zhao Yingxuan was unrestrained in her speech, saying whatever came to mind, and Xiao Qingxue had never won an argument against her.

Watching Chen Luo and Elsa, Xiao Qingxue felt an unexpected pang of jealousy. She had never thought she’d find herself envious of Chen Luo being with another woman. But after her father’s death, Chen Luo had significantly won over her heart, hence her jealousy. After all, jealousy is seldom felt without genuine affection.

“I need to discuss something important with you,” Xiao Qingxue said, turning to Chen Luo.

Chen Luo nodded, “Sure, go ahead.”

“How am I supposed to talk with you like this?” Xiao Qingxue protested, her embarrassment evident.

“It’s fine, just speak as you normally would.”

After taking a deep breath, Xiao Qingxue’s demeanor turned cold, reverting to her authoritative CEO facade, now clearly agitated.

“The Li family has made a move. The land Yongqiang Group had its sights on, which we were close to securing, has been snatched away by them. Moreover, there’s been a spate of returns on products from Morning Star Group’s automotive and mobile phone divisions. A flurry of online posts smearing Morning Star Group has appeared, with rumors suggesting that Morning Star’s mobile phones and cars have stolen others’ technology, even trending online.”

The Morning Star Group was owned by Chen Luo, which was easy to find for those who’d looked into it. This recent assault on the Morning Star Group likely involved the Li family, possibly even in collaboration with the Wang family.

“Heh, as expected.”

This was all within Chen Luo’s calculations. Making a bold statement on their joyful occasion by symbolically throwing funeral offerings and wreaths in the Li family’s face, it would indeed be odd if the Li family did not retaliate.

“No matter if the Wang family is involved or not, they’ll soon be too preoccupied with their own troubles to worry about us. Just concentrate on dealing with the Li family. Despite the Li family’s vast influence, they face numerous adversaries in the business sector. By allying with those adversaries, we can curb the Li family’s ambitions. As for Morning Star Group’s predicaments, there’s no need to worry. As long as Morning Star’s products maintain their excellence, we won’t have to worry about sales.”

Chen Luo was utterly unfazed. There was no reason for panic. The Li family might inflict some damage on Yongqiang Group and Morning Star Group, but they wouldn’t be able to bring them to their knees.

Besides, there was the Luo family, which now served as Chen Luo’s steadfast ally.

“It’s likely that someone inside Yongqiang Group has been compromised by the Li family, leaking confidential information. I’ll have Bai Meixiang look into it. If we find a mole, they’ll be taken straight to sink in the river,” Chen Luo informed Xiao Qingxue.

Though Yongqiang Group was officially owned by Xiao Qingxue, she had been won over by Chen Luo, effectively placing the group under his control. Betraying them was tantamount to a death wish.

Chen Luo showed no leniency towards traitors. Moreover, with the Li family stirring up trouble, Chen Luo felt compelled to reciprocate against Li Zhong.

It seemed that in the coming period, he should get in touch with Gu Wanyu more