Noble Conflict

"What would you expect when the heads of the Parker and Harrison family both decide to step down. Of courses, their chosen successor would step up," Suzan said, using her cutlery to cut out a piece of stake then consuming it. "Still, who would have thought that the new heads would be so violent. Well, it's not like I'm complaining. All of this is good for my business in the end."

"Alright, I suppose I can tell why you call me here. You want me to supply you with the materials you will need to build up your school, but not just that, you want a good deal out of it," Thane surmised, right before the waiter returned with his dish. "And what makes you think I'll give you the sort of discount you're planning to get. Remember that you're a noble family head, don't go around acting cheap."

Suzan gasped at his words.

"What gives you the audacity to call me cheap? I'm just a good businesswoman trying to make the most out of things. How about we enjoy our meal first before we get down to business?" She suggested with a greedy smile as her eyes fell on her plate. "Me? Greedy? Stop acting like you haven't looked in the mirror lately."

"And that's the sharp tongue I was telling you about. Suzan, if it weren't for your lineage and position, that mouth of yours would have been the end of you a long time ago," Thane joked, pointing his cutlery at her.

Once they were done with their meal, Suzan was the first one to say something.

"Alright, now that we're full, let's get down to business," she started off, her elbows resting on the table. "Thanks to those two idiots running amok and destroying The Eclipse Academy, I was able to make an appeal to the red emperor, and he viewed the situation and said that it would be best if an outsider has ownership of the new school to be built in the city since the families occupying the city are now on bad terms with each other.

"At least now with me having ownership of another school within Ice City, they are less likely to destroy the building in the midst of their fighting so as to not upset another noble family head. They are far too occupied fighting to get another noble head mixed into their conflict," she explained. "And even if later down the line they decide to go against me and attack the school, then I'll have to retaliate and show them that the Mayuri Family isn't something they can mess with and get away with it."

"So with you having the added resources that come with owning another prestigious school, you will then have power that puts you above the likes of either the Parkers or the Harrisons. I see, so you're trying to become one of the more powerful noble families, maybe even surpassing my own family in the future," Thane said. "Should I be worried?"

"Not unless you plan on messing with me in the future," she said with a sweet smile, taking off her sunglasses. "Like I said before, this is all just business. I wouldn't suppose you wish you had secured the location before I did? I mean, I was the first person to bring this idea to the emperor, so of course I'm thr one who's been authorized to go through with it."

"It's not that. I'm already satisfied with my current position. It's just that I hope this matter doesn't backfire in the future, especially with those two running wild in that city. I almost feel bad for the residents over there, considering how their families have the authorities there in their pockets. They wouldn't step in even if innocent lives were being caught in the midst of their fights," Thane replied.

"Well, what can be done. It's not like we can interfere in the affairs of another noble family, it would do nothing but bring trouble for us. We can only manage the law enforcement and other systems set in place within our own living areas," Suzan responded."Anyways, here."

She pulled out a document from her purse and placed it on the table, pushing it over to Thane to have a look at it.

"This is the contract that I have arranged for our partnership on this project. I would like for you to go through it and tell me what you think," she said, stroking her chin. "I would like for us to work together to build this school."

Thane's eyes fell upon the document, the smile on his face remaining.

"This woman and her strong-headed behavior. No wonder most people fear you," Thane said. "Alright fine, let me just have a look at this first."

Suzan grinned at his response.

"Anyways, how's the Aurelio Family doing? Have you paid them a visit lately?" Thane asked, his eyes reading through the proposal. "I heard that the head just got engaged a few days ago. There was a large event set-up for it, but I was far too busy at the time to attend it."

"Ahh, yes, the Aurelio Family. I was actually at the event. Do you know who he got engaged to?" She responded. "Apparently, Marcus proposed to Old Man Zeng's daughter at the event. I never knew the two had a thing for each other."

"It's makes sense for them to choose to keep their relationship private until they were sure that they were right for each other," Thane's eyes shifted from the proposal. "And also, he doesn't like it when people call him Old Man Zeng."

Suzan shook her head at his comment.

"But why? He is the current oldest noble head among us all. Besides, that guy really gets on my nerves," Suzan replied.

"Oh, please. The both of you have been on each other's throats ever since you became a noble head. It's like you two can't just get along. Even before the emperor's coronation, you two were bickering like little children in the meeting hall," Thane's eyes fell back on the proposal in his hands.

"That's only because that geezer was supporting the prince at the time to be the emperor. Though now we all fully support and respect him, that is a completely different matter. The matter at hand is the fact that I hate that decrepit old man," Suzan sneered as she spoke. "Do you know what he did to me during the event?"

It was Thane's turn to shake his head.

"Neither do I know, nor do I care. And here I was believing that all of this gossip was something you would discuss with your husband or your daughter," Thane said.

"Hey, you were the one who asked me about the Aurelio Family. Don't get snappy with me now that I'm giving you all the juicy gossip," Suzan hissed, covering her eyes with her sunglasses once more. "Don't ask a lady to spill tea only for you to complain after, it's rude."

Thane rolled his eyes as he scoffed.

'Women. I'm just glad that Natasha's not like that. She knows when to draw boundaries with things like this,' he thought to himself.

"You better not be thinking something bad about me," Suzan warned.

"And if I am? What will you do?" Thane reaponded, cocking his head forward. "You care far too much of what others think about you. Why not learn to just so things based on your own beliefs abd preferences?"

"I'm a noble family head for crying out loud. Of course I care what others think about me. I have an image to maintain, so I can't just ask as I like and end up embarrassing myself in front of sociey," she huffed as she spoke.

"If you say so," Thane sighed.

"Do you want me to continue or not?"

"Do continue. I'll soon be done with this so I can tell you what I think about your proposal," Thane waved his hand at her.

"So rude. Anyways, can you believe what those two idiots have been doing ever since their fight in Ice City?" She said, ignoring Thane's rude behavior.

"What?" He asked, his voice filled with disinterest.

"Those airheads have been bringing gifts to my place for days now, each time with a note asking me to allow them spend time with my daughter Lucia," she replied. "I'd rather show Old Man Graham reapect than let my daughter marry any of those buffoons."

"From what you're saying, it's like you wouldn't mind starting a fight with him. You always talk bad about him in public, what do you think would happen when he finally gets fed up of your behavior and decides to get back at you?"

Suzan's grin returned.

"And do you really think I'm scared of that old man?" She replied back.