Nico closed his ledger and stood up. "Mr. Malik," he called. Malik quickly approached. "You did well today. I knew your sharp judgment in reading situations would be invaluable. You're truly reliable," Nico said, patting his shoulder.
Malik smiled proudly. "We've distributed around 1,000,000 coins today, Sir. Out of the total 50,000,000 coins we have, we've only brought 5,000,000 coins from the storage. The rest is still safe in the backup location."
Nico nodded. "Good. I'll wait for their response. I'm certain they'll come to see me in the next few days."
The loan and pawn house had become a focal point of attention. In a world fraught with hardship, few dared to lend money, and the Tang family had become a beacon of hope for many. Night began to blanket the city, replacing the daytime hustle and bustle with a peaceful silence. After a simple yet fulfilling dinner, Nico gathered Sana and the servants in the front room to chat and enjoy the evening.
However, the calm was soon interrupted by the sound of carriage wheels stopping in front of the house. From behind the window, they saw a man step out with his hood up, his steps steady as he approached the door.
Nico smiled faintly. "Mr. Sani, I've been expecting you. I was always worried you wouldn't come," he said, opening the door.
Malik, standing nearby, whispered, "I'm impressed with Mr. Tang's style. He's truly a master of business."
Sani chuckled lightly. "Ah, Mr. Tang, you flatter me. Please, have a seat," he said, removing his thick coat.
"This is the finest food I've brought directly from Riveria," Nico said, pointing to a table laden with luxurious dishes. "I'm sure you'll enjoy it. This is the best wine, opened specially for tonight."
Sani laughed heartily. "Hahaha! Let's, Mr. Tang. Let's enjoy the evening."
They began eating and chatting casually. Amid their conversation, Sani finally broached the main topic of their meeting. "Mr. Tang, I've considered your request. The King has implemented a 10% tax policy for certain businesses. This policy is supposed to apply only to royal families, but for you, I'll include your business in that category."
Nico grinned broadly. "Mr. Sani, I won't let your sacrifice go unappreciated." From his pocket, Nico produced a stack of coins, 10,000 in total, along with several luxurious pawned watches. "This is just a small token of my gratitude."
Sani laughed again, unable to hide his satisfaction. That night, they talked until late. When Sani finally became drunk, Nico's guards promptly escorted him home.
After everything was settled, Sana approached Nico. Her expression was serious, though there was an undeniable hint of admiration she couldn't hide. "I have to admit, you're incredibly clever. But your methods… I don't agree with them. Too underhanded for business."
Nico merely smiled, looking at her calmly. "Alright. I'm going to bed. Perhaps tomorrow, those bandits will come to see me. Good night, Sana."
He climbed the stairs, leaving Sana standing in the front room, her mind wrestling between admiration and discomfort with her husband's—yes, her fake husband—plans.
That morning, the atmosphere at the Tang family pawnshop was filled with unease. The dining table, usually lively with conversation, was now shrouded in awkward silence. Everyone had gathered, waiting for Nico's arrival to start breakfast. But so far, the family leader was nowhere to be seen.
"Maybe he's still asleep. He must be exhausted from last night," Sana said, her tone half-reassuring as she tried to calm the growing worry among them.
Minutes ticked by, and still no sign of Nico. Anxiety turned into alarm. Unable to wait any longer, Sana decided to take action. With determined steps, she climbed the stairs to Nico's room on the upper floor. Standing before the door, she knocked firmly.
"Nico! Are you in there?" she called, but there was no response.
After a moment of hesitation, she slowly opened the door. Her eyes immediately landed on the empty bed and the wide-open window, its curtains billowing in the morning breeze. Sana's face turned pale, and she screamed in panic.
"Nico's gone! He… he's been kidnapped!"
In seconds, the entire household gathered in the room. Their faces were filled with worry, and whispers began to spread through the crowd. Sana paced back and forth, her hands trembling as she struggled to make sense of the situation.
"We have to do something!" she said hoarsely.
Malik, standing slightly behind the others, appeared calmer. He stepped forward, his voice steady but gentle, attempting to ease the tension.
"We need to stay calm," he said. "If we panic, it will only make things worse. We don't know who did this, but there are plenty of people who might dislike Nico's presence. We must keep the business running as usual, as if nothing happened."
Sana glared at him. "How can we act like everything is normal when Nico…?" She couldn't finish her sentence.
"I'll find out what happened," Malik continued, ignoring her protest. "But you all need to keep working as usual. Open the bank and pawnshop as if nothing's wrong. Nico would want us to protect what he built."
Reluctantly, everyone nodded. Malik, known for his sharp mind and ability to read situations, was the only one who seemed capable of thinking clearly amidst the chaos. He left the house immediately, stepping outside with a purposeful stride, leaving the rest to shoulder the burden of maintaining appearances.
Outside, the morning breeze carried the scent of wet earth and dry leaves. Malik took a deep breath, steadying his racing heart. He knew finding Nico wasn't just about following clues but thinking like those who might want to harm him. His steps were firm, though his mind raced with strategies.
Back in the house, Sana stared at Nico's open window. The billowing curtains seemed like shadows of his sudden and mysterious departure. Clenching her fists, she silently vowed not to let Nico vanish without a fight.
Meanwhile, Malik walked through the bustling market alleys with unwavering determination. His mind churned through possible scenarios. He knew many envied Mr. Tang's success, and some even sought to bring down the family. Malik recalled every suspicious conversation, every odd behavior, and every unusual incident that could hint at what had happened to Nico.