They strolled over with their arms around each other, pretending to be lovers. Eddie took a drag on his cigarette and laughed. "Hey, Nikolai, still alive? Hah, fancy meeting an old friend—what kind of day is this?"
Nikolai's brows knitted; he was ready to kill, then looked stunned when he saw who it was. "Eddie? What are you doing here?" He couldn't tell whether this was a tail or coincidence.
Recovering, Nikolai sneered. "Never imagined the famous Pharmaceutical PhD would come to buy contraband. You know that's prison time, right?"
Eddie draped an arm round Kathy and blew smoke rings. "Oh? I could beat you to death right now for pocket change, while you'd just die. That's the power of money—something a peasant like you can't grasp."
"Darling, how could a poor man understand?" Kathy smiled, surprised—weren't they only pretending? Why was she starting to feel something?
Nikolai's smile was icy. "This is the sacred Festival of Rites; you know the rules. Try it if you dare."
"Don't be stupid—you're not worth dirtying my hands. If I want you dead I'll just pay someone. Everything has a price, right?" Eddie looked every inch the arrogant thug.
Diago kept his harmless-grin mask. "Sir, violence is forbidden here; offenders will be punished. As Keeper of the Rules, I must warn you first."
"Of course I know. Nikolai, aren't you Spencer's lapdog? What are you doing here, so down-and-out you need to numb yourself with this stuff?" Eddie kept trampling on the man's dignity.
"Where I go is none of your damn business, psycho. Watch your back—when you leave here I'll put a bullet in you." Nikolai stormed off, flanked by two Ivan-model bodyguards.
Diago's expression turned unfriendly. "Sir, you drove my customer away. If everyone did that I'd be ruined. Compensate me—either pay for his goods or take them yourself."
"Sit down and eat; I'm not short of cash. If the goods are good, I'll buy." Eddie sniffed like the nouveau-riche he was.
The woman behind Diago studied Eddie with keen interest—she clearly recognized him.
Diago led them to a nearby elegant bamboo pavilion—a restaurant built in local style.
The table was heaped with meat: whole roast lamb, delicate steaks—anything available nearby was served.
Eddie picked up a plate of fried grasshoppers and flung it away, tossing out other oddities. "I don't eat this stuff—feed it to the animals, no waste."
Kathy demurely poured her man a glass of wine, playing the obedient mistress.
Diago wasn't annoyed; he sniffed the cigarette Eddie had tossed him. "A hundred-thousand-yuan cigarette—well deserved, Dr. Eddie. I've long heard of you."
"Skip the flattery. Do you have one-hundred-percent pure, unprocessed triple powder? Natural, not refined." Eddie came straight to the point.
Unprocessed material can be made into medicine—useful for experiments.
Besides, spending a few hundred million on women was pocket change; he could earn it back in the blink of an eye.
Diago lit the cigarette, murmured something to the blonde beside him, and she left to fetch the goods. "Wait a moment; my assistant will bring the best wares."
Eddie watched the doorway with interest. "Your lover?"
Diago laughed. "More like last-life's lover—people say a daughter is a father's lover from a previous life. That's my only daughter, Maria!"
"You tell me so frankly—aren't you afraid I'll sell the information?" Eddie leaned on the table.
Diago shook his head. "Of all the Capitalists I've met you're the most principled. That won't get you a discount, but it doesn't stop us being friends." He raised his glass.
Chapter 554: Thirty Years of Professional Orphan Care
They clinked glasses and drank. Eddie swirled his wine. "Raw plants work wonders against viral suppression. Everything has its use—even a pile of dung can become fertilizer and biogas."
"I don't know science; I only know you're bringing me a fortune. How much do you want?" Diago tapped ash, caring only about profit.
"Whatever you've got, I'll take. Ship it to the nearest port and I'll arrange pickup. Cash or card?" Eddie smiled.
I always work cash-only, but I can make an exception just this once. Next time bring cash—those are the rules.
Rules are made to be broken, aren't they?" Eddie picked up his glass.
They clinked glasses again. "Dr. Eddie, you're a riot. A fascinating man. If status weren't an issue, I'd love to be friends—too interesting!" Diago said.
"No worries. If we can't be friends, we can be family." Eddie gave a meaningful smile.
Diago raised his right hand, wagging a finger. "Thinking of dating my daughter? I won't stop you, but she's not someone to mess with. Your cargo will reach Luka Port—my daughter will escort it personally. I've never bought crops before; you made me break precedent!"
"Everything has a first time. By the way, where's Glenn Arias?" Eddie suddenly asked.
Diago raised an eyebrow. "He's my brother; I can't sell him out."
"Just a heads-up: the Western Federation has eyes on him. If he isn't trafficking bioweapons, BSAA wouldn't tail him. As long as he steers clear of bioweapons, you could blow up the sun and BSAA wouldn't care." Eddie finished, then tore through the food like a man who hadn't eaten in three months.
Diago didn't laugh. "A man who can eat is blessed. Take good care of my daughter," he said, then stood and walked away.
Kathy was puzzled. How did two sentences turn into giving away a woman?
Only a father would understand—and only someone with a price on his head knows how precious freedom is.
Diago knows Western Federation and EU agents have him marked. Stay out of Mexico and he lives; leave, and he'll be shot.
It's a life without freedom, like being locked in a giant prison.
He's beyond saving, but his daughter is young—he won't let her suffer for his sins. He'll arrange her future, no matter the cost.
World-renowned Dr. Eddie is perfect: young, wealthy, most importantly, responsible.
Diago's intel shows no record of Eddie abandoning anyone—proof enough of a family man. Career demands are unavoidable; what matters is he takes care of home.
Eddie and Kathy reached the parking lot. "Eddie, our mission is to find Glenn Arias, not waste time here."
"Relax, pal. If Arias isn't trafficking bioweapons, even BSAA has nothing. Fail to kill the snake and a madman might cook up disaster."
Kathy frowned. "Clearly, Glenn is trafficking bioweapons!"
"I know Spencer's involved. BSAA can't touch it. Spencer controls a serum that can turn an old man middle-aged again. Do you think unchecked BSAA could get it? They'd do this." Eddie mimed a throat-slit.
"Impossible!" Kathy exclaimed in disbelief.
"Nothing's impossible. Except for sharp O'Brien, BSAA's brass can't be trusted—especially the new idiots in command. Get in. Trust me, you're my girlfriend, right?" Eddie grinned.
"Just pretending," Kathy said, yet climbed in anyway.
Tall Maria, in leather pants and boots, slid behind the wheel. "Let's move."
"Diago sold you to me, you know," Eddie teased.
Maria shrugged. "Because I'm valuable—to him and to me. He's my father, not a saint, but a good dad."
"I've met men like him. Javier was the same—not a good man, but he fed villages. Locals admired him. A good father and husband, not a good man. Appearances deceive."
Hilda showed no reaction, head bowed.
Maria grew curious. "You knew him well?"