Several people looked over together as Xena approached.
Today's Xena wore a pair of boots, a trench coat, and sunglasses. Suddenly appearing mature and stable - not to mention her petite height of about 1.6 meters, her proportions were so perfect they created the illusion of someone 1.7 meters tall.
Xena's makeup also looked considerably more mature and composed as she walked forward with a stern expression.
Fyren looked at her. "Why are you interfering?"
"Just passing by."
Otto looked at Xena and clasped his fists in greeting. "Ms. Xena, it's been a long time."
Xena covered her nose. "Wow, what's that smell you're wearing? Did you fall into a cesspool?"
Otto thought to himself: I really need to find a place to shower. This won't do. Dressing plainly is one thing, but smelling like shit is too much.
Chloe said, "Xena, Fyren is going to fire me!"
"Don't worry, he wouldn't dare."
Fyren laughed. "What wouldn't I dare? I, Fyren, have always done as I please without considering others."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Fyren thought to himself:
[Xena isn't easy to deal with. I need to take this slowly. The main problem is Otto's presence - I can't afford to offend him no matter what. Otto's martial arts skills are extraordinary, and he's restraining himself from slapping me to death. I definitely can't provoke this reckless bastard.]
Xena narrowed her eyes:
[I see. So this Otto is still a master and has history with Fyren. Hmmmm, interesting.]
Fyren looked at Xena's calculating expression and thought:
[What's with this damn girl's face? Is she trying to corner me? Little girl, you're still too young to match wits with me!]
Xena sneered:
That's right, Fyren. Xena already knows almost all your cards. It doesn't seem that hard to pin you down. You're afraid of Otto, aren't you? But I must say, this Otto really carries an aura of someone who dares to challenge the world. If he's truly an expert, he might well become your lifelong nemesis, Fyren.
Fyren looked at Xena's sneer and felt uneasy.
[Is this damn girl really so confident? What can she possibly do if I just fire Chloe? Otto has his sights set on the beauties of the Leng, Xu, and Chen families - I absolutely can't compete with him. I'd be dead and buried.]
[Chloe is one of his personally selected harem members too. Though she's not important enough to be considered a main heroine, as long as she's part of his chosen harem, I can't touch her even if it kills me.]
[Whatever. Xena and the others can be dealt with later. Today, I'll handle Chloe first.]
Other people couldn't see it - they only thought Fyren was in a fierce confrontation with Xena. In reality, both were lost in their own thoughts, having already gone through several mental rounds of confrontation.
Fyren said, "In short, I'll strictly enforce the Labor Law. I'll give her sufficient severance pay and all required compensation - maybe even more. Oh, I'll fire her legally, reasonably, and sensibly. No one can touch me."
"Oh? Is that so?" Xena asked smugly.
"Isn't it?" Fyren replied with equal smugness.
Xena laughed. "Fyren, take a step back."
Fyren turned to placate Otto. "Otto, just wait a moment. I'll make sure you take Chloe with you today."
Otto was speechless.
What is this?
You're surrendering before I even make a move?
Is the aura I... bring with me so overwhelming? I don't even need to fight the villain - just standing here stinking is enough?
Xena stepped forward. "You can't fire Chloe."
"It's non-negotiable." Fyren adjusted his clothes with exaggerated care. "It's settled."
"Oh Fyren, you certainly can fire her if you want. But then I'll have to tell Otto what you did to me."
Fyren looked up sharply. "What did I do to you, huh?"
"That depends on what I choose to say!"
Fyren's expression darkened.
[How did she know Otto is my weak spot!]
[Is this damned girl heaven-sent to torment me?]
Xena continued, "I'll say you touched me, kissed me, and molested me; that you drugged me and took my virginity - ah, several times; that you beat me, scolded me, threatened me, and made me wear stockings to pole dance for you; I'll also say that you-"
"Okay, okay! Stop!" Fyren interrupted.
[Does she need to list so much? Any single one would be a death sentence from Otto.]
[The later accusations would basically guarantee my execution.]
Yet Fyren feigned indifference. "Do you really think he'll believe you?"
Xena grinned and pulled Fyren closer. "Look at Otto."
"Hmm?"
"Does he look like a broad-minded man to you? Do you think...he'll care whether it's believable or not?"
Fyren slowly turned back to Xena, eyes narrowing with hatred.
Yup.
What can I say?
Since when did web novel protagonists have big hearts?
They're all vindictive villains!
When buying loyalty, they'll pretend to be magnanimous - their stomachs big enough to sail aircraft carriers.
But when their heroines are involved? Their masks slip instantly.
What bullshit about broad-mindedness!
"What the fuck is forgiveness?
I'd be your grandson if I didn't kill you! If you touch the protagonist's woman, who wouldn't die?
Don't even talk about believing or not believing. If you were the protagonist, would you believe the heroine's words or the villain's?
Besides, does he even need to believe it? Does he?
No!
What he needs is an excuse! A reason to act!
He's been playing the obedient grandson in front of Otto all this time precisely because he lacked that reason, so he couldn't do anything.
Now if Xena went to accuse him, all his efforts would be wasted.
Otto wouldn't even need to think it through or verify the truth - he'd just strike first and the plot would proceed smoothly..."
Fyren laughed nervously.
"Uh... Xena, come on, let's talk this over, haha..."
Fyren decided to reason with her:
"Look, these two are a match made in heaven, a perfect pair - a talented man and beautiful woman. See how handsome he is? If we just help them along, they'll become inseparable and create a beautiful love story. Why shouldn't we do that?"
Xena stared at Fyren. "What talent does Otto have? You're the talented one here. Seriously, why are you always afraid of him? Why don't you dare to fight him?"
"Oh, I wouldn't dare say that! I wouldn't dare!"
Fyren pleaded, "Xena, have mercy on me. It hasn't been easy surviving till the third day. Just let him take Chloe. Firing her doesn't mean abandoning her - I'll keep paying her salary every month until she dies. Isn't that fine?"
Xena pouted and shook her head. "No way."
"That's still not enough?! Why?!"
Fyren roared internally: [I don't get it!]
Xena snorted. "I just think it's amusing. I simply don't want you to fire her. You... you must have ulterior motives. I won't decide about Chloe until I know what you're really plotting."
Fyren was going mad. "Sis, you're going to be the death of me! I really don't have bad intentions!"
"Playing dead is fine - the important thing is everyone's happy."
Fyren said angrily, "Xena! Don't push me too far!"
Xena froze, then turned forward and immediately put on a pitiful act. Though not a single tear fell, she cried passionately:
"Otto, do you know what Fyren did to me? Yesterday he drugged me... After taking it, I felt all hot and wanted to take my clothes off. Then he..."
Fyren rushed forward to pull her back.
Otto burst into rage, "Fyren! What did you do to Xena?! Ahh! My Regal Majesty is about to lose control!"
Fyren was panicking. Pulling Xena aside, he appeased Otto, "No! No! Brother, your wangbang—no, your wang... you're wangbang ah—no, you're a living wangbang—oops, I mean I'm the one making you act like a living wangbang ah... said it wrong, your wangbang ah, please calm down first, calm down first!"
"I gave her... diarrhea medicine! Yesterday she suddenly had diarrhea, and that medicine just makes you feel hot and dry after taking it!"
"I took her to... a small clinic! That clinic has diarrhea treatment..."
Otto turned to look at Xena. Fyren gazed at Xena almost prayerfully.
[Big sister, you can't joke about this! If you keep this up, I'll really die here today!]
Xena looked at Fyren's terrified expression and snorted. "That... about Chloe..."
Fyren let out a long, depressed breath. "No firing! Never! As long as you don't agree, I won't fire her."
"And..."
"And?!"
Fyren thought bitterly: [What more do you want?!]
Xena said, "You can't force her to leave or sideline her either. She stays as your personal secretary."
Fyren mentally screamed:
[If you weren't the female lead, I'd slap you dead in minutes! Damn girl!]
[What's this got to do with you? Huh?]
[Why do you care which secretary I keep? What's it to you?!]
Xena struggled to hold back laughter.
Hee hee, this is hilarious.
Actress? Funny he'd call me that.
Well, it's none of my business, but I can tell you're hiding something.
I just can't let you get away with your schemes.
Am I smart or what?
"Answer me or not?" Xena asked smugly.
Fyren's mouth was still half-open when Xena pretended to cry again, turning to Otto. "Otto, yesterday he kept touching my boobs—"
Fyren yanked her back with one hand, mentally roaring:
[You win!]
[You're my ancestor!]
Otto raged, "WHAT DID YOU DO TO XENA'S BOOBS?!"
Fyren held up a finger. "Brother, wait! Hold your wangbang for a minute!" He turned to Chloe. "Chloe, I officially retract my decision to fire you. Work hard—I've got your back."
"Thank you, Fyren! Thank you!"
Fyren looked at Xena. "Satisfied now?"
Xena was thrilled with her victory.
Otto stepped forward, pulling Xena behind him as he glared at Fyren, his face hardening. "What did you do to Xena's boobs?! Speak!"
Fyren was speechless. "I..."
Xena pushed Otto away from behind. "Wow, you! Go take a shower first—you really smell like you crawled out of a cesspool."
"Xena! What did this beast do to your boobs? I'll avenge you!"
"Ugh! What could he have done? What's it to you anyway? Go away!"
"Xena, don't be afraid! I, Otto, will protect you!"
"Will you shower first?!"
"But—"
"But what? You reek! Disgusting! I'm just messing with Fyren—stay out of it..."
Fyren felt like vomiting blood.
[Don't! Don't provoke him!]
[The male protagonist's brain is full of holes! If you provoke him, he won't hate you—he'll only hate me!]
Sure enough, Otto whipped his head around violently, his furious glare making Fyren's legs go weak—he nearly collapsed to his knees.