With Chekkat accompanying them, Sol and his group enjoyed a rather high-standard dinner.
Or rather, as long as Sol was with the Black Panther Organization, he could always expect such lavish treatment.
First red envelopes, now a grand feast—these people really knew how to take care of him.
Honestly, it almost made him feel guilty to take advantage of them.
No way. How could a good citizen of New Eridu bow to the darkness?
When facing such capitalist corruption, he was merely engaging in critical tasting.
Sol folded a napkin neatly, wiped his mouth, and let his mind wander.
"Mr. Pantalone, how was the meal?"
Chekkat set down his knife and fork at just the right moment and looked toward Sol.
"The taste was excellent. I really liked it."
Sol snapped back to reality and offered his praise.
"As long as you liked it."
Chekkat smiled pleasantly.
"Right, could you have them make another portion of these dishes for me?" Sol said naturally with a grin. "I still have the Sons of Calydon partners waiting back in my room."
"Understood, understood, I'll have it prepared immediately." Chekkat, feeling much more at ease with Sol now, gave him a knowing look that only men would understand. "Mr. Pantalone, I happen to have some blue pills—if you need them…"
"Keep them for yourself."
Sol gave him an exasperated yet amused glare.
"You're the man," Chekkat gave him a thumbs-up in admiration. "Vigor and might of a dragon—a true man's benchmark."
Tsk tsk tsk, six people tonight and no pills? Hopefully, they'll all still be alive tomorrow.
"You're not wrong."
Sol shot Chekkat a surprised look. How the hell did this guy know he had a purple skill [Dragon's Vitality]?
After a few more rounds of idle banter, the chef brought out two exquisite, triple-layered food boxes.
"Let's go. See you tomorrow." Sol picked up the boxes and, as he walked out with Anby Demara and Jane Doe, said, "Try to finalize the schedule quickly—the sooner the trade happens, the better for everyone."
"Of course, of course. We're very efficient."
Chekkat nodded, watching Sol's trio leave.
Naturally, he had to move fast. The longer such matters dragged on, the more unstable they became.
…
Meanwhile, inside Sol's room—
The four members of the Sons of Calydon sat back-to-back in pairs, as wilted as frost-bitten eggplants.
From morning until now—night—they hadn't eaten a single bite except for the beating they got earlier.
Even the always-optimistic Burnice couldn't maintain her cheer on an empty stomach.
Creak!
The door opened. Caesar and the others immediately perked up, looking toward the entrance—where Sol entered, carrying two food boxes, followed by Anby and Jane.
Seeing Sol, Anby, and Jane all glowing with satisfaction, the four instantly realized that while they'd been starving, those three must've just enjoyed a fine meal.
Caesar and Lucy, once listless, now glared at Sol with fury, trying to put on a show of defiance—they refused to appear weak before their captor.
Only Burnice and Piper remained slumped—one innocent and guileless by nature, the other an old hand who'd already resigned herself.
Sol couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, shaking the food boxes slightly. "Hungry? I brought you some food."
Sniff sniff sniff!
Instinctively, all four of their noses twitched in unison. Caesar and Lucy's angry expressions crumbled in an instant.
A wave of fragrance wafted from the boxes—like invisible ribbons twining straight into their nostrils.
The smell of cheese, roasted meat, potatoes, and spices blended together—a fatal temptation for anyone who hadn't eaten all day.
A perfect mix of caloric bombs, quality protein, and rich carbs—no hungry fighter like Caesar could resist that.
Gurgle!
Thunk! Thunk!
Gulp gulp!
Their stomachs rumbled in unison—each sound different in tone and rhythm, blending together into a strange, harmonious symphony.
"Didn't expect the Sons of Calydon to also be musical performers," Jane said with a faint, teasing smile.
Anby nodded seriously and said to them, "Can you do that again? It's my first time hearing this style of music. I'm quite intrigued."
Sol's mouth twitched.
Jane joking was one thing—but Anby? When did you go white-cut-black?
At once, Caesar's face flushed bright red, and she bowed her head in shame. Lucy glared fiercely, like a little lioness ready to bite.
Meanwhile, Piper and Burnice kept their eyes fixed on the food boxes—kids and veterans alike didn't care much for teasing when food was involved.
"Go on, eat up." Sol placed the boxes before them, smiling. "Where I come from, we're taught to treat prisoners well."
"Take your food away! We're not eating anything you give us!" Lucy spat, glaring at him viciously. "Who knows what weird stuff you've put in there!"
She still vividly remembered what he'd said that morning—she had no doubt that this guy had the kind of shamelessness to actually drug the food.
No way she'd eat something and end up suddenly pregnant afterward.
"That's right! True warriors never bow to their enemies!" Caesar lifted her chin proudly, determined to resist to the end. "Villain! You'll never break our will with food!"
"Think whatever you want. The food's here—eat it or don't." Sol set the boxes in front of them and lifted the lids, revealing the dishes inside.
If they didn't eat, fine—he'd done his part.
Besides, Chekkat's trade was set to happen in the next couple of days. Even if they starved for two days, they wouldn't die.
"Hmph!"
Lucy and Caesar snorted in perfect sync, turning their heads away.
Sol shrugged, ready to sit on the sofa to scroll through videos or chat with Anby and Jane.
Then Burnice suddenly spoke up, calling to him, "You didn't untie us—we can't eat like this."
Her eyes were glued to the delicious food before her. She wanted nothing more than to dive in, but bound as they were, it was impossible.
"Burnice! Have some dignity!" Lucy barked loudly.
Burnice stuck out her tongue at Lucy, giving her an embarrassed grin.
"Oh, right."
Sol finally remembered that he hadn't untied them.
But if he did… none of these four were exactly well-behaved types. Who knew what kind of trouble they'd cause?
So—
Sol crouched down, speared a piece of grilled rib with a fork, and brought it to Burnice's lips.
"Ahm! Nom nom!" Burnice didn't hesitate for even a second, taking a big bite. Her face lit up in bliss, eyes sparkling as she looked at Sol. "More!"
Piper stared at the glossy sheen of oil on the ribs, swallowing hard. If she could just get one bite—she'd even be willing to have a kid for it…