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Seeing Zhou Jingren just stare at him, the Duke immediately added. “I will agree to whatever deal that you want. Just tell me everything.”
“Two things, don’t cancel Eliza’s engagement to Antone Harringfort. No matter what happens, don’t cancel it. And second… I know that you own properties — islands that were put under a different name. I happen to know that you own a bunker, a place where no one knows except you. I want access in this place.”
“You — You do know that this is information that is only accessible to the Grand Duke, right? Not even my wife, who had been with me for more than thirty years, knew where the bunker was.” They created this place during world war two to protect the Royalties of Luxembourg. It was a highly fortified place that is equipped with enough security to keep the people inside safe from a nuclear attack.
It had its own food source, electricity, water, and most importantly a computer network that could access US satellites that were orbiting around the planet.
“I know of its existence.” Zhou Jingren lied. Before the Duke confirmed its existence, he had no prior knowledge of this bunker. All he had was mere speculation. After all, every Royalty should have something that could defend themselves from wars, right? “But… I am not sure of its exact location.”
The Duke pursed his lips. He didn’t even wonder how Zhou Jingren would know such things. What he was wondering is why. Why would someone like Zhou Jingren want access to his bunker? “The fact that you are forcing me to choose between my son’s health and my daughter’s happiness is already so bold of you. However, the information about the bunker… I believe you are going overboard with your demands.”
“Demands?” Zhou Jingren smirked. “I know the people feeding your entire family poison. I know where they bought the lead and I know when will be the next time that they buy it.”
“You — ” The Duke felt his hand shook from Zhou Jingren’s words. “You mean my entire family…”
“Including the people who poisoned you, took a small dose of lead to fool everyone.” Zhou Jingren interrupted him. Smiling, he waited for the Duke to give him an answer. “Knowledge is never a problem, your highness. The problem is what am I going to do with the knowledge that I have.”
“Are you— “
“No… I am not blackmailing you. I am making a deal with you. The location of your bunker and keeping Eliza’s engagement. In return, I will give you the information that you need to save your family and persecute the people who harmed them.”
“You have enough to persecute them?”
“I could have my people kill them if you want me to. But that would be too messy. I would not want to involve your name in their deaths. So yes, I asked my people to find everything incriminating evidence that they could, enough for a death penalty.”
Again the Duke went speechless. The words that Zhou Jingren spouted does not make any sense. It seemed too impossible yet possible at the same time. He met the man’s dark eyes as he wondered what else Zhou Jingren knew. Is it possible that Lily also knew every information that Zhou Jingren holds?
“Can you give me some time to decide about this? I — that is not an easy decision. Even my daughter’s engagement is something that I cannot — ” he gulped. Zhou Jingren was forcing him to choose between two very important things for him.
If the Duke would say no to his requests, Zhou Jingren would surely ask Lily to leave and he might not be able to contact him again. Moreover, the Duke could treat his family, but that is only the tail of the problem. He had no idea who poisoned his family, he would not have a way to cut off the snake’s head.
The Duke knows that without Zhou Jingren’s help, finding the real culprit would be hard because just like what Zhou Jingren said, even the culprit took a small amount of lead to fool anyone.
Meanwhile, saying yes to Zhou Jingren’s terms, means the Duke would have access to the information that he had by sacrificing the happiness of his daughter. Also, that bunker was for him and his family in case something happens. After all, they are a very important part of their country. Their safety is the number one priority. Giving Zhou Jingren access to everything in the bunker is such a big demand. Zhou Jingren is simply making him choose between his family and the country that he and his family are serving.
Zhou Jingren’s snort interrupted his stupor. “Since when did you care about your daughter’s happiness?” Zhou Jingren lifted an eyebrow, sarcasm apparent in his tone. “We all know how Antone had been ignoring her for months now and yet you never dealt with the situation because you fear that it would affect your relationship with Antone’s father. Why care now? Surely, a marriage that is bound to fail is not such a big deal, right?” A sinister smile slithered on Zhou Jingren’s face.
All he wanted was for Antone to be tied to Eliza. Not necessarily a marriage, even an engagement is enough. This is something that he is planning to use against that man.
“You know nothing about me and my family!” the Grand Duke hissed, irritated at Zhou Jingren’s words.
“On the contrary, I know quite a lot of things about you and your family.” Zhou Jingren calmly said. “Alright… maybe not know — know. But I can certainly tell everyone’s favorite color, memorable scars, birthdays, favorite dish. After all, these are all public pieces of information.” Zhou Jingren said. “Of course, this does not mean that I am ignorant when it comes to your public affairs. I know that Leandro’s wife is cheating. I know that Pierre Weber was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and I know that your wife— “
“Enough!” the Duke interrupted him. “I get it! I understand!”
“Good.” Zhou Jingren nodded. “Just know that I have no ill intentions towards you and your family. I only want those two small things in exchange for the survival of your clan.” He smiled. “I will leave now. Please ask someone to guide me to my wife’s room.”
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