Chapter 75: Do You Still Remember

“Your service has been very satisfactory, so there is something I wish to discuss with you.”
“Would you be willing to work for me?”
“The requirements are not demanding—you would manage my residence, handle some affairs when I am away.”
Harvey noticed Sonya’s body tense for a moment, and a plan began to take shape in his mind. He voiced the idea he’d been considering for some time now.
Over the past few months together, Sonya had never once tried, openly or otherwise, to probe his actions or plans without him first mentioning his occupation.
Her appearance was pleasing enough, her abilities efficient, and she was observant yet sparing of words—all qualities Harvey valued in someone who would serve him.
“It is my honor to be invited by you, Mr. Kassadin.”
“May I ask where your residence would be located?”
Sonya’s beautiful eyes flickered at his words. She responded politely, then inquired further.
She was a native of Xandar, having grown up on this planet. Traveling to other worlds was not difficult, but if possible, she preferred her workplace to be close to Xandar—ideally, on Xandar itself.
“My plan is to build a residence here on Xandar, so you needn’t worry about leaving your home behind.”
“The work may be a little troublesome at times, but you won’t be living a life of constant scrutiny or suffering injustices.”
“Would you be willing to work for me?”
Harvey understood the intent behind Sonya’s question and clarified the situation. He knew that if he offered her the chance to join the Void, she would surely accept.
However, he did not mention this now; he wanted to test Sonya, to see whether her words about being honored were sincere or merely polite.
“If that is the case, it would be my pleasure.”
“I look forward to your guidance in the future, Mr. Kassadin.”
Having considered the terms, Sonya bowed slightly with a smile.
Harvey had planned to probe further, as this was his first time choosing someone akin to a steward to help manage his affairs.
Since this was his first selection, he did not wish to be careless—yet Sonya agreed so readily that it caught him by surprise.
“You didn’t even ask about the salary before agreeing?”
Harvey was genuinely astonished.
“Mr. Kassadin, you would not have invited me without careful consideration.”
“And I trust that you are not a stingy man.”
Sonya shook her head with a gentle smile.
She had often seen Mr. Kassadin lost in thought, and from this she knew that a man like him would weigh all pros and cons before acting.
Now, as Mr. Kassadin was preparing to leave the Grand Hotel, his invitation must have been well thought out in advance.
Though she did not know what exactly Mr. Kassadin did, she was certain he was no ordinary man.
“With such words, it seems I would find it difficult to treat you unfairly,” Harvey said, half amused by her easy flattery.
“My salary expectations are not high. At present, I earn thirty thousand per month. With the year-end bonus, it averages to four hundred and thirty-six thousand a year.”
“As long as you offer me a salary not less than this, I will work for you.”
Sonya made no attempt to drive a hard bargain, stating her current salary with a smile.
In truth, by Harvey’s standards, if he could find a steward to his satisfaction, even a salary of a hundred or two hundred thousand would be acceptable, let alone fifty thousand.
“Very well. If you work for me, I will offer you five hundred thousand a year.”
“Would that be satisfactory?”
Harvey named a figure only slightly higher than Sonya’s current salary, yet from now on, she would owe him her absolute obedience.
“I am very satisfied.”
“When may I begin working for you?”
Sonya showed no disappointment at the figure, but instead took the initiative to ask.
“In a month’s time. I’ll be staying here for another month.”
“When my residence is finished, you can begin your duties.”
Harvey, seeing Sonya agree, saw no need for further testing.
Sonya immediately understood that Mr. Kassadin’s earlier remarks had been a test, hearing he would not leave for another month.
“Understood.”
She made no further comment, only nodded in acknowledgment.
At that moment, a message came through on Sonya’s communicator.
“Mr. Kassadin, someone downstairs asked me to relay a question: do you remember a man named Dam?”
Sonya glanced at the information and asked.
“Dam?”
“Yes, I remember. Bring him up to see me.”
Harvey recalled the name—it belonged to a Xandarian city gate guard.
Having made a promise, it was only natural that he would not forget another’s name.
Moreover, if he wished to spread the Church of the Void on Xandar, the best targets were those who served the planet’s people but held lowly positions—like the city guards.
“Very well, I’ll bring him up.”
Sonya nodded and departed.
Mr. Kassadin had lived here for several months, and this was the first time anyone had come to visit him, so she was curious about the guest.
In the lobby of the Grand Hotel,
Dam sat upright on the plush guest sofa, staring nervously at the opulent surroundings.
According to what he knew, only high-ranking officers of the Nova Corps could afford to stay at a place like the Grand Hotel.
For someone like him, unless something extraordinary happened, he would never have any connection to such a place.
Even if there were an inspection, it would not be the city guard’s responsibility.
Fortunately, after asking at the front desk, Dam learned that there was indeed a guest named Kassadin staying at the hotel.
However, without the guest’s permission, he could not go up directly.
The front desk could only relay his message and ask the guest’s opinion. Only with the guest’s approval could he be granted an audience.
To be honest, Dam was uneasy. Even if Kassadin truly lived here, would such an important person remember someone he’d met only once?
Just then, the elevator chimed.
The doors opened and a beautiful young woman with golden hair and a slender figure stepped out.
She spoke briefly with the front desk, then walked toward him.
…
Dam could not help feeling nervous as the lovely woman approached.
“Mr. Dam, Mr. Kassadin says he remembers you and is waiting upstairs. Please come with me—I will take you to see him.”
Sonya, slightly surprised by Dam’s attire, nonetheless spoke with impeccable courtesy.
“He remembers me?”
Dam was both delighted and astonished to hear these words.
He had never expected that someone of such stature would actually remember a person as insignificant as himself.