I Can Extract Game Items

Slipping into his outfit, the disguise felt second nature now. He was no longer August Clementine.

Now he was Aleman.

Sliding into the driver's seat, he ignited the engine. The Lamborghini purred to life with a deep growl before he sped out of the lot, merging onto the highway.

As expected, the black vehicle immediately drew attention. Other drivers turned their heads, snapping pictures, some even attempting to keep pace.

A cocky-looking guy in a modified sports car pulled up beside him at a red light, revving his engine.

"Yo! Sick ride, man! Wanna test it?" he smirked while tilting his sunglasses down.

Aleman turned his helmet slightly towards the guy without saying a word. Then the light turned green.

He stepped on the gas.

The Lamborghini lurched forward like a beast unleashed causing the world around him to blur. Within seconds, the challenger's car was nothing more than a distant speck in his rearview mirror.

"Guess that answers that," he muttered.

By the time he arrived at AM Coven, the usual buzz surrounded the building.

The business had gained a strong reputation among the elite and supernatural enthusiasts alike, meaning customers—and even corporations—were now flocking in droves.

Inside, Derrick was already waiting for him near the entrance.

"We got someone here for you," Derrick informed while crossing his arms.@@novelbin@@

Aleman didn't break stride. "Let me guess—another corporation trying to invest?"

"Looks like it." Derrick nodded. "She's waiting inside your office."

Aleman exhaled sharply. He had lost count of how many investors and major corporations had tried to sink their claws into AM Coven, offering him ridiculous amounts of money just to buy shares.

He had zero interest in giving up control.

Time to shut another one down.

But when he walked into his office and laid eyes on the visitor, he froze for just a split second.

A woman stood near the desk with beautiful sea-blue eyes, scanning the room before landing on him. She had light pink hair neatly tied into a professional bun and her business attire was a long-sleeved pink blouse and dark pencil skirt.

However, what caught his attention the most was her name.

Rachel Valentine.

Or, as he knew her in Enders Light—Lilo.

Aleman maintained his composure while stepping forward with his usual intimidating aura. "Miss Valentine," he greeted with his voice modulated slightly by the helmet. "I assume you're here on business?"

Rachel gave a tight-lipped smile, clearly professional but reserved. "Mr. Aleman, I represent Crimson Holdings, and we're interested in acquiring a stake in AM Coven."

Aleman moved around the desk and took a seat before motioning for her to do the same.

"I appreciate the interest," he said smoothly, "but I'm not selling shares—not to Crimson Holdings, not to anyone."

Rachel's swallowed saliva with a bit of nervousness. "With all due respect, Mr. Aleman, our offer isn't just about money. We're offering a strategic partnership that could take AM Coven to greater heights. I am also a game enthusiast and I believe in the work you've done here for gamers. We are all inspired by it... I know I am. I know we can do more.

We've been watching your company grow at a rapid pace, and our firm believes that—"

Aleman raised a gloved hand, cutting her off.

"I know exactly what you're offering." His voice was welcoming, yet firm. "But I built AM Coven from the ground up, and I have no intention of letting outside influences dictate how it operates."

Rachel's professional mask didn't falter, but he could see the slight crease in her brow.

"Not even for a deal worth twenty million dollars?" she pressed.

Aleman leaned back and tapped his fingers on the desk. "Not for fifty."

Rachel's eyes flashed with something he couldn't quite read. Was it*frustration? Or something else?

After a long silence, she stood. "I understand. Thank you for your time, Mr. Aleman."

She extended a hand which displayed nails painted a deep crimson. Aleman hesitated for a fraction of a second before shaking it.

'She's really good at this... Too bad I have no intentions of making shares available for purchase... At least not for now....'

As she turned to leave, Aleman's instincts flared. Something felt off.

Rachel had come here for a business deal, but there was something in her demeanor that didn't quite add up.

He watched her walk towards the elevator with his disturbed expression hidden underneath the helm.

Then it clicked.

Her body language. The way she fidgeted ever so slightly when the deal was rejected. The slight hesitation before she left, as if she wasn't just here for the investment.

Aleman's voice cut through the silence.

"Miss Valentine."

Rachel stiffened.

She turned back with a masked calm expression. "Yes?"

Aleman stood slowly before crossing his arms. "Why do I get the feeling that this wasn't just a business trip for you?"

Rachel's breath hitched for half a second before she quickly masked it. "I don't know what you mean."

Aleman's visor tilted slightly. "Sure you do."

Silence stretched between them.

For the first time, Rachel looked uncomfortable.

She quickly averted her gaze and hurried towards the elevator.

Aleman watched the doors slide shut.

Something wasn't right.

And he was going to find out exactly what.

---

Rachel Valentine walked through the grandiose halls of Crimson Holdings as her heels clicking against the floors rang out softly.

Her face was stoic and her hands were clenched into tight fists at her sides.

'It's a different Aleman... Or not but he certainly seems different... Maybe I should have asked... *sigh*' her mind raced with thoughts.

'What difference does it make...'

She had failed.

And now she had to face the consequences.

Pushing through the tall mahogany doors, she entered the high-rise executive office of Mr. Grayson—her direct superior and the man who held her leash.

The obese balding man was seated comfortably behind his enormous glass desk, puffing on a cigar.

His beady eyes immediately locked onto her the moment she walked in.

Rachel straightened her back, forcing herself to maintain composure.

Grayson exhaled a cloud of smoke and smirked. "Well? I assume you've come bearing good news, Miss Valentine?"

Rachel took a deep breath.

"I failed," she admitted with a neutral tone but braced herself for what was coming next.

Grayson's smirk vanished. His thick fingers began tapping against the desk as he leaned forward. "Failed?" He let out a slow, mocking chuckle. "Failed? My, my, Rachel, I didn't take you for the kind to waste my time."

Rachel pursed her lips briefly before speaking. "Aleman refused. He has no interest in selling shares or working with Crimson Holdings. I tried every possible—"

"Every possible angle, my ass!" Grayson slammed his palm against the desk, making Rachel flinch slightly. "You had one job. A job I graciously gave you despite your pitiful debt-ridden ass. And you couldn't even do that."

Rachel clenched her fists. "I—"

"You what?" He voiced with a mocking tone as his eyes gleamed with cruel amusement. "Let me guess—you batted those pretty little blue eyes at him and hoped he'd just hand over his company? Pathetic."

Rachel bit her tongue. She had learned that arguing was pointless. But the way he spoke, the way he looked at her, the way he always tried to demean her—it boiled her blood.

"I told you before," Grayson's voice dropped into something more sinister. "If you failed, you'd have to pay me back another way."

Rachel took a step backward as her heart thudded in her chest.

"I—I'll find another way," she voiced shakily.

Grayson grinned. "Oh, sweetheart. There's only one way."

And before she knew it, he was on her...

Too fast.

The cigar dropped as his massive hands gripped the collar of her blouse.

"Don't—!" Rachel gasped as she got yanked forward with so much force that her fabric tore apart, exposing her smooth skin.

The cold air hit her as she struggled.

But Grayson was too strong.

He spun her around and slammed her against the desk, pinning her down with his disgusting weight.

Rachel thrashed wildly, kicking her legs and clawing at his arms, but he only laughed.

"I own you," he growled in her ear causing his disgusting breath that reeked of cigars and whiskey to waft into her nostrils. "You really think you can just walk away?"

Tears stung her eyes as rage and humiliation clashed inside her.

All of a sudden—

BOOM.

The office door blasted open.

The force sent papers flying, knocking over a lamp, and causing the glass windows to rattle.

A figure stepped in, silhouetted against the debris.

The air shifted.

The intimidating black suit.

The futuristic helmet.

The deep, modulated voice as the silhouette spoke.

"Get your hands off her."

Grayson froze with his fat fingers still clutching Rachel's wrist.

Rachel lifted her head as her breath hitched.

It was him.

Aleman.

Grayson recovered quickly and sneered. "What the hell is this?! Who the fuck do you think you are barging into my office?"

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Aleman didn't respond.

Instead, he moved...

In the blink of an eye, he was before them.