The Land of Phaleno: The Princess's Rebirth (Book I)

Chapter Fifteen: "The Diamond Deal: Secrets in the Rain"

Once the lady had departed from the room, the door creaked open, piercing the silence. Sarah, the Chief of Intelligence, entered with her immaculate appearance in a sharp black suit and her hair neatly tied back.

"Sir, your car is ready," she announced.

Jun, still fixated on the door that had just closed, raised his gaze with eyes that were sharp and discerning.

"Yes, let us proceed now," Jun replied, nodding slowly.

As they stepped outside, the fierce wind and torrential rain greeted them with an almost insurmountable force. Each raindrop that splashed on the streets reflected the flickering streetlights, creating a somber tableau. Jun moved swiftly towards the car parked in front of the edifice, as though the rain and wind were mere trifles that could not thwart his plans.

Sarah stood by the carriage door with a large umbrella, shielding them from the unrelenting downpour. She opened the carriage door and promptly sheltered Jun from the rain as he entered.

Jun settled into the back seat of the car, his body slumped with fatigue. He leaned back against the seat, his eyes staring blankly through the rain-streaked window. Sarah took her place in the front passenger seat, while Ralph, the Chief of Finance, was poised behind the wheel.

Sarah gave a brief signal to Ralph, who promptly started the engine. The car moved forward with alacrity, traversing the waterlogged streets with ease and braving the tempest that raged on. The rain battered the windows with a relentless drumbeat, filling the carriage with a symphony of thunderous noise.

Jun broke the silence, cutting through the cacophony of the storm. "Are the contractual documents prepared?"

Ralph glanced briefly from the wheel before responding, "Indeed, Sir. The transaction documents and agreement papers are all in order. Everything has been meticulously arranged."

Jun gazed out of the window, his expression grave. "Ensure they are fully aware of the regulations and consequences before the transaction," he instructed.

"Certainly," Ralph replied. "Everything will proceed as planned. There is no room for negotiation failures."

As the car glided through the stormy night, every detail of the journey seemed to gain in intensity.

Jun glanced out of the car window, his face stern beneath the flickering street lamps. Amidst the howling storm, with torrential rain drenching the streets, he spotted an unavoidable figure.

Beneath the awning of a clothing store not far from the building, a woman huddled against the cold of the night. She sought refuge beneath Jun's large overcoat, struggling against the fierce wind and relentless rain. She huddled slightly, perhaps seeking solace in her position, her head bowed and her damp hair disheveled.

In the chaos of the stormy night, the woman appeared as a forlorn and neglected figure, starkly contrasting with the elegant woman Jun knew. Observing this scene, Jun merely frowned before shifting his gaze, as the car continued its journey.

As the vehicle traversed the path towards the border, the ground grew muddy, with puddles forming from the rain. The air grew colder, indicating the climatic shift towards the northern territories, a crucial meeting point.

The car slowed as it approached the residence of the diamond craftsman, a grand house standing majestically on the edge of the border. Beneath the dim street lamps, Jun could discern his covert operatives stationed discreetly outside the gates.

The rain soaked the gravel path leading to the house, where small lamps along the route cast a subdued glow. As the car came to a halt, Sarah promptly opened the door and extended a large black umbrella, shielding Jun from the still-pouring rain.